On May 31, 2023, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, made an exciting announcement, revealing the categories that will be in focus for the upcoming Express Entry draws this summer. As Canada aims to meet its labour needs, understanding the Express Entry category-based draws could be key for job seekers looking to move to the Great North. In this article, we break down the sectors with the highest number of job vacancies.
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What is the Express Entry Category-Based Draw?
On May 31, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed the sectors prioritized in the upcoming category-based Express Entry draws. The draw will run concurrently with the general draw, where high-ranking candidates are invited to apply for Canada permanent residence (PR). However, the number of invitations for the program-specific draws will be limited.
Under the new category-based selection process, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will extend invitations to candidates with the highest rankings. These candidates must demonstrate a strong command of the French language or possess relevant work experience in one of the following fields:
- Transport
- Trades (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, and contractors)
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Healthcare
Latest Express Entry Draw Results- June 8, 2023
How are Categories Chosen?
If you qualify under any of these categories, it’s important to understand the job market for your specific category, as well as where jobs are most plentiful. This article provides an overview of Statistics Canada’s data on job vacancies for the fourth quarter of 2022, broken down by province and territory.
These categories were selected to fill job vacancies across Canada, with immigration playing a vital role in addressing the country’s labour shortage. The choice of categories came after legislative requirements ensured that the Minister conducted consultations with provincial and territorial authorities, industry members, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, immigration-focused organizations, and researchers in the field of immigration.
Sector Breakdown: Job Vacancies
Healthcare and Social Assistance
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Healthcare sector has seen a steep rise in job vacancies, creating immense opportunities for healthcare professionals globally. In Q4 2022, the Healthcare and Social Assistance category recorded an extraordinary 143,695 job vacancies. Here’s a province-by-province breakdown:
- Ontario: 55,250
- Quebec: 40,105
- British Columbia: 17,705
- Alberta: 9,770
- Manitoba: 6,790
- Nova Scotia: 4,780
- Saskatchewan: 2,955
- New Brunswick: 2,630
- Newfoundland: 2,250
- PEI: 685
- Northwest Territories: 565
STEM Professions
The demand for STEM professionals in Canada has witnessed a notable increase, thanks to the rapid pace of technological advancement and the ongoing digital transformation across industries. The average hourly wage in the STEM field was reported to be $35.80, significantly higher than many other sectors.
With 56,915 job vacancies in Q4 2022, the STEM sector stands out not just for the volume of opportunities but also for the attractive pay scales.
- Ontario: 24,525
- Quebec: 14,725
- British Columbia: 8,115
- Alberta: 5,515
- Nova Scotia: 1,110
- Saskatchewan: 895
- New Brunswick: 595
- Manitoba: 630
- Newfoundland: 405
- PEI: 200
There might be no job vacancies or unlisted opportunities in certain territories. Canada is seeing a rising demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) jobs, as per a 2022 report from Statistics Canada.
This surge is due to high retirement rates and technological advancements which are creating a skill gap in the workforce. Plus, STEM jobs often pay well. In the last quarter of 2022, the average wage for these roles was $35.80 per hour, quite higher than the $16.35 hourly wage in sectors like Accommodation and Food Services.
How to: Find your NOC code for Express Entry
Trades
The Trades category, comprising wholesale and retail trades, also emerged as a significant area of opportunity. With an impressive total of 108,795 job vacancies in Q4 2022, the demand for skilled tradespeople is clear.
Here’s a breakdown by province:
- Ontario: 55,660
- Quebec: 34,495
- British Columbia: 19,215
- Alberta: 15,545
- Saskatchewan: 4,665
- Nova Scotia: 3,065
- Manitoba: 3,025
- New Brunswick: 2,155
- Newfoundland: 895
- PEI: 520 (retail trade, no wholesale trade job vacancies)
Transport
The transportation and warehousing sector in Canada had 43,700 job vacancies. However, these opportunities have been declining since the beginning of 2021. Here’s a breakdown of these vacancies by province:
- Ontario: 15,110
- British Columbia: 9,060
- Quebec: 7,950
- Alberta: 6,445
- Manitoba: 1,915
- Nova Scotia: 1,055
- Saskatchewan: 915
- New Brunswick: 720
- Newfoundland: 210
- PEI: 115
Agriculture and Agri-food Sector
In the last quarter of 2022, Canada’s Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sectors boasted 10,535 job vacancies, making up 3.9% of the total job openings. However, it’s important to note that since 2021, job opportunities in this area have been on a steady decline, from a peak of 7.2% in the second quarter of 2022.
Here’s a breakdown of these vacancies by province:
- Ontario: 3,070
- British Columbia: 2,475
- Quebec: 1,950
- New Brunswick: 720
- Alberta: 940
- Manitoba: 550
- Saskatchewan: 540
- Nova Scotia: 425
- PEI: 130
Conclusion
Minister Fraser believes that the new Express Entry draws will bolster Canada’s efforts to welcome skilled professionals from various fields. No exact start date has been announced yet, but this summer promises exciting possibilities for potential candidates eyeing the Canadian job market.
Stay tuned to +1 News for more updates on the Express Entry draws and other immigration news. If you’re considering making the move to Canada, now might be the perfect time!
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