In 2023, Canada’s demand for transport workers in Express Entry is emphasized as one of the five priority sectors selected by IRCC for category-based draws.
The federal government of Canada began conducting category-based drawings through the Express Entry application management system in June of this year in addition to the conventional ones in an effort to more effectively address labor market shortfalls in particular Canadian industries.
In the “standard” Express Entry draws, CRS scores are predominantly utilized to differentiate and rank applicants. Contrarily category-based draws favor applicants with a certain set of skills and job experience.
In 2023, the government will utilize category-based draws to address workforce shortages in five distinct occupational categories: healthcare, STEM, transportation, trades, and agriculture/agri-food. These draws aim to strategically meet the labor market demands within these sectors.
On June 28, IRCC held the first category-based Express Entry draw, signaling a fundamental change in immigration law. As of the time of writing, there have been four more category-based drawings since that time. The most recent category-based Express Entry draw, which occurred on September 20, 2023, targeted candidates in these five occupational categories. This demonstrates the government’s continued dedication to addressing labor market demands through strategic immigration policy.
Express Entry targeted transport occupations for a variety of reasons
A study published in the Toronto Star in September 2023 highlighted the pressing issue of Canada’s truck driver shortage, which is a component of the larger transport jobs category in Express Entry. According to the report, this scarcity puts Canada’s economy at serious risk.
The article claims that the lack of truck drivers is leading to empty store shelves and delays in shipments. This is considered a contributing factor to the nation’s rising prices for goods.
The Toronto Star article also mentions a paper that Trucking HR Canada and the Conference Board of Canada collaborated on in 2020, which raises more concerns. It claimed that between 2016 and 2020, or just four years, the country’s truck driver shortfall has increased.
What is the actual demand for transport workers in Canada?
Despite potential variations in figures and statistics depending on the source, Trucking HR Canada has provided an estimate that suggests Canada will need to hire approximately 17,000 more truck drivers annually between now and 2025.
While it is just one of several jobs encompassed in the Express Entry category, this essay primarily focuses on the trucking industry. This concentration is driven by the fact that Canada’s trucking shortage has been the primary cause of concern within the broader transportation sector.
Moreover, as indicated in the previously mentioned Toronto Star story, Canada currently faces a shortage of approximately 20,000 truck drivers. This figure might escalate to 30,000 in the years to come. As well as underscoring the pressing need for more professionals in the industry.
In a broader context, Transport Canada released data in March, projecting labor shortages across the transportation sector over the next 12 years:
- Aviation is expected to require between 42,000 to 55,000 additional workers by 2025-2035.
- Trucking anticipates a demand for 25,000 to 55,600 more workers by 2023-2035.
- By 2031-2035, the marine industry is estimated to require an additional workforce ranging from 1,000 to 19,000 workers.
- By the year 2035, rail transportation is expected to demand approximately 4,000 new workers.
The information above confirms one thing loud and clear. To meet industry demands, Canada will require a substantial influx of new transport occupation workers in the coming years. This is necessary to address the evolving needs of the sector.
How does this affect prospective immigrants to Canada?
Canada’s clear need for personnel in the transportation industry creates a wealth of career opportunities for immigrants with experience in these fields. It presents a promising avenue for individuals seeking employment and a new life in Canada. It presents a promising avenue for individuals seeking employment and a new life in Canada.
In essence, immigrants who arrive in Canada through IRCC’s Express Entry category-based draws, focusing on professionals in the transportation industry. As well as find abundant opportunities to build successful and long-lasting careers. This offers a promising prospect for their future in the country. This presents a promising prospect for their future in the country.
Furthermore, transport occupations in Canada often offer attractive compensation, a characteristic highly sought after by all Canadians. This is especially significant for immigrants facing challenges in managing their finances.
The median salary for economic immigrant primary applicants in 2019 was $43,600, according to Statistics Canada (StatCan) data from 2021. This equals $20.96 when calculated on an hourly basis (presuming full-time employment). According to recent StatsCan data cited by the Toronto Star. The average hourly wage for a long-distance truck driver in Canada stands at $27.80.
Therefore, transport-related industries offer attractive earning potential as well as employment opportunities for new immigrants to Canada.
Up-to-date Express Entry draw history for transport
At the time of writing this article, the IRCC had conducted only one round of invitations for Canadian immigration applicants eligible for Express Entry. It is based on their most recent employment in a transport-related occupation.
The most recent category-based draw for an occupational category conducted by the IRCC took place on September 20, 2023.
In this invitation round, Express Entry applicants with a minimum CRS score of 435 received 1,000 ITAs for Canada’s PR.
The Globe and Mail obtained information from IRCC regarding the distribution of remaining ITAs among qualified candidates in various occupational areas for the rest of 2023. This data sheds light on the allocation of invitations in different job categories. The IRCC data specifically for transport occupations showed that category-based draws for people with experience in these sectors. Also it would make up “one to two” percent of all ITAs distributed through Express Entry during the rest of the year.
