A New Express Entry selection category for applicants was introduced by IRCC on May 31. IRCC conducted the first Express Entry category-based draw on June 30. According to this report, Most Express Entry occupations are eligible in healthcare or STEM. In addition, the IRCC plans to conduct its first batch of STEM professional lottery games the following week.
Several of the categories are heavily influenced by the candidate’s professional background or job history in a particular, high-demand field.
In addition to estimates, the IRCC said it had received feedback from stakeholders throughout the country for the new categories.
As a result of this information, six new categories for Express Entry candidates were chosen by the department for the upcoming lotteries. As a result of these new classifications, Canada’s economic objectives will be more effectively met, or more francophones from outside Quebec will be encouraged to immigrate.
Following is the new classification:
- Proficiency in French-language
- Healthcare occupations
- Transport occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
It is believed that each of these fields is in high demand and of fundamental importance to maintaining Canada’s economy and workforce. However, two selection categories stand out when it comes to the number of available jobs.
Demand for healthcare occupations is the highest
A low birth rate and an aging population characterize the Canadian population. The number of people over 65 in Canada is expected to reach nine million by 2030. In the upcoming years, a large number of retirements will increase the use of healthcare and reduce the number of workers available to fill the labor force voids.
Choosing immigration candidates who have demonstrated experience in healthcare occupations might reduce incoming pressure on an already overburdened system.
Statistics Canada reports that the healthcare and social support sector had 144,500 open jobs as of March 2023, which represents 17.7% of all open positions.
There are several jobs within the healthcare sector that are eligible to be drawn as part of the new category-based system:
- Dentists
- Chiropractors
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Dieticians and nutritionists
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Speech-language pathologists and audiologists
- Optometrists
- Veterinarians
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- Medical sonographers
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- Nurse practitioners
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Kinesiologists and other professionals in therapy and assessment
- Specialists in surgery
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Medical radiation technologists
- Massage therapists
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- Education counselors
- Licensed practical nurses
- Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- Other practitioners of natural healing
- Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- Paramedical occupations
Most Express Entry occupations are eligible in healthcare or STEM – STEM professions
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs are in demand in Canada. It is estimated that $242 billion will be generated by the information, communications, and technology sector by 2021, according to research conducted by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.
Canadian AI implementation, innovation, and investment rank fourth globally, according to Invest in Canada. AI (artificial intelligence) is also a hot topic in Canada; there are 1,032 AI and machine learning businesses here.
In November of last year’s report, Statistics Canada revealed that a skills gap is emerging in the Canadian workforce due to the high rate of retirement and the rapid advancement of technology and automation. This could hinder the expansion of some Canadian companies, as some are choosing less competent employees.
It is important to keep in mind that many STEM-related professions have competitive starting salaries. International students with an undergraduate degree working in a STEM field in 2019 received an average starting salary of $52,000, according to a Statistics Canada report published in April.
The category-based selection draws are available for 23 STEM occupations.
- Software engineers and designers
- Computer systems developers and programmers
- Landscape Architects
- Civil Engineers
- Business systems specialists
- Metallurgical and materials engineers
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- Web designers
- Data scientists
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- Architecture and science managers
- Web developers and programmers
- Land surveyors
- Architects
- Information systems specialists
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- Cybersecurity specialists
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers
- Mathematics, statisticians, and actuaries
- Urban and land use planners
- Information systems specialists
- Computer and information systems managers
- Engineering managers
The prerequisites for the new categories
If the candidate has the minimum amount of work experience (within the last three years), they still need to confirm that they are eligible for Express Entry. This requires at least six months of continuous work experience in an acceptable occupation (within the last three years), either in Canada or abroad. Being eligible requires more than just having the appropriate work experience.
The Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program are all managed under the application management system known as Express Entry. For entry into the Express Entry application pool, applicants must meet the specific work experience, educational, and language requirements of each of these programs.
As part of its new selection category drawing, IRCC will continue to rank candidates using the CRS. It is still most likely for people with better test scores to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
