A historic labor shortage was apparent in Canada throughout 2022, as the last month of the year added 104,000 new jobs.
The last year witnessed historically low unemployment as the Canadian economy recovered from the restrictions during the pandemic. These are a few hot skills trends to consider by those who are seeking employment or job change in Canada.
STEM skills professionals
Canadian workforce lacks STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and digital skills, resulting in a severe shortage of tech professionals. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to bring 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-25. Bill C-19 authorizes the Minister for Immigration to target groups of applicants with specific skills through the Express Entry system.
Healthcare workers
Canada is struggling with a severe shortage of healthcare workers, which was aggravated during the recent pandemic. Immigration of healthcare workers involves several technical hurdles because of Canada’s stringent licensing system. The existing healthcare workforce is battling stress and burnout as they must work long hours because of staff shortages. IRCC is taking steps to boost the immigration of healthcare workers to ease the shortage in this sector.
Skills trade workers
The faster retirement rate of skilled trade workers and a relatively slower replacement of retirees is causing severe shortages in this labor market sector. Many industries have workers of an average age exceeding 50 years. The issue is persistent for decades across Canada.
The May 22 report by BuildForce Canada estimates the exit of 128,400 workers in the construction sector by 2031 because of retirement. The number of workers replacing the retirees will be only about 102,100.
Boosting the immigration of skilled trade workers is the only solution to the problem, as three out of every four Canadians perceive skilled trades as a second-class career option and are unwilling to choose the same.
