Canada’s three fastest-growing employment sectors present a treasure of job opportunities to new immigrants with the right in-demand skills.
The recent announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to introduce category-based Express Entry draws shifts the spotlight to skilled work experience in several occupations from healthcare, agriculture, and tech sectors. These sectors enjoy the fastest growth and provide the most job opportunities to newcomers with in-demand skills.
Healthcare sector
Immigrants dominate Canada’s healthcare, as the percentage of immigrant healthcare workers in the sector is growing steadily. The present contribution of immigrants to Canada’s healthcare is as follows:
- Dentists – 39 percent
- Physicians – 35 percent
- Registered nurse practitioners – 23 percent
The healthcare sector is the leading employment sector in Canada, with 143,800 vacant positions, according to the recent StatsCan report. Canada’s Express Entry system facilitates newcomers in the healthcare sector to explore permanent residency options through Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Provincial immigration streams provide several opportunities to new immigrants in the healthcare sector besides the federal immigration pathways. Ontario and British Columbia hold regular Provincial Nominee Program draws to attract skilled workers in the healthcare sector.
Agriculture sector
With four out of ten farm operators retiring by 2033, Canada’s agriculture sector is staring at a severe skills shortage. There is an urgent need to welcome 30,000 new immigrants who can take over farms or develop new ones. Canada’s Agri-food Pilot program encourages new immigrants with relevant experience in eligible occupations to become permanent residents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are facilitating the immigration of Agri-food workers by removing occupational caps and extending the pilot.
Tech sector
Canada prioritizes clean infrastructure and energy by investing $20 billion in the 2023 budget for projects in these industries. The tech sector will produce several job opportunities in the manufacturing field, promising above-average compensation. The emerging technology of Artificial Intelligence is boosting the demand for tech workers. The Global Talent Stream boosts Canada’s tech sector with faster processing times of applications by eligible immigrants. Many provincial nominee programs provide specific pathways to attract Tech workers.
