Many sectors are severely impacted by the uproaring pandemic-related shutdowns, while some industries have had more job openings. The job market is in a perpetual state of chaos but let’s keep in mind that these are only short-term changes.
The federal government in Canada conducted research on the labor class and how it has been affected by the pandemic. The following are the key findings from the study about Alberta.
The list of the jobs is arranged according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. The federal government also offers a trend analysis tool for specific job prospects where job seekers can view the trends in their field of occupation.
1. Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
Computer and information system managers plan, administer, analyze the organization’s computer or digital software services that need upgrading. They evaluate the organization’s activities and other information systems. Employment in this job profile wasn’t particularly affected in Alberta since the pandemic.
In spite of the pandemic, employment levels trended up in 2020 as compared to 2019.
2. Employment insurance, immigration, border services, and revenue officers (NOC 1228)
There has been an inundation in the applications for government programs, such as Employment Insurance, Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) among the others. These programs are employed by the government to enforce regulations and laws which are related to immigration, customs, border crossing, taxes, employment insurance, and other benefits.
3. Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
Tech jobs were not affected. Information system analysts and consultants plan, manage and review information systems and analyze the system’s issues. They are employed in tech consulting firms or are self-employed.
As of April 2020, employment for information system analysts and consultants was 47 percent more as compared to April 2019. The average employment levels remained higher throughout the year.
4. Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
Data analysts design and develop data-managed solutions and are typically employed by IT consulting firms. On the other hand, data administrators infuse data administration policy, standards, and models.
Employment for both of these job profiles was not affected by the pandemic in Alberta. Year after year the employment levels trended up throughout 2020.
The increase in the use of data and the increased technology in organizations have spiked up the demand for this particular occupation. The sooner the importance of information and databases increases, the more data analysts and administrators are in demand.
5. Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
A lot of software engineers are self-employed. Many of them are employed by an IT consulting firm where the engineers manifest and maintain a variety of different software. The Tech industry in Alberta has boomed in recent years. There are almost 400 tech companies in Calgary which itself produces 2,000 job vacancies, including software engineers and designers.
6. Construction inspectors (NOC 2264)
Construction inspectors are those who inspect existing and new infrastructure and check if they are up to code. They might be self-employed too and at other times employed by government agencies, construction companies, and even architectural and civil engineering consulting firms.
This profession was not affected by the pandemic in April last year. It was 24 percent more than in 2019.
Even during the pandemic, the construction industry was perceived as an essential job and was allowed to continue operation during the peak of coronavirus-related restrictions. Although overall construction activity was ceased in 2020 and the residential sector remained hushed.
7. Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors (NOC 3011)
The employment rate for this occupation was at the highest in April 2020 compared to the same time frame of 2019. Average employment levels in 2020 increased throughout the year.
The pandemic for obvious reasons increased the demand for nursing coordinators, because of their prominent role in taking care of the Covid affected patients. Thus, increasing the demand for hospital staff.
On the other hand, Mount Royal University is expanding its Bridge to Canadian Nursing to train more and more international nurses. These are 10 to 14 months long programs that allow international immigrants on the way to start their practice in Alberta.
8. Pharmacists (NOC 3131)
Pharmacists give prescriptions to patients and provide consultation services to health care providers. They may be self-employed or working in retail pharmacies. Some pharmaceutical companies as well as government departments and agencies employ pharmacists in the research and development branch.
The demand for pharmacists was 14 percent more in 2020 than it was the previous year.
Community Pharmacists in Alberta in recent years have taken on more responsibilities in the health sector. They now have the power to administer vaccines, modify the prescriptions and also manage an individual’s diabetes or smoking addiction.
9. Family, marriage, and other related counselors (NOC 4153)
The Corona pandemic has taken a drastic toll on everyone’s mental health. Family marriage and other related counselors help people to overcome personal problems and help them achieve the well-being of their mental health. The counselors work in counseling centers, government agencies or they may work in private practice. In April 2020, employment was 66 percent higher than it was in 2019.
A lot of counselors have expanded their services online to meet the public health restrictions.
10. Health policy researchers, consultants, and program officers (NOC 4165)
The responsibility of health policy researchers is to produce reports and administer healthcare policies. They are often hired by the government, consulting agencies, universities, hospitals, and non-governmental and international organizations.
The employment rate for health policy researchers was 24 percent higher than in 2019.
The pandemic increased the demand for this occupation. The health policy researchers, consultants, and program officers were tasked with analyzing how to respond to the direct impact of the coronavirus.
11. Social and community service workers (NOC 4212)
Community services workers implement programs that helped clients to overcome personal and social problems. They work for mental health agencies, government agencies, group homes, and other establishments.
The recession of a 21 percent increase in the demand for employment, impacted the weak population.
The people most affected by the coronavirus are those who are battling addictions, homelessness, and domestic abuse. This has increased the demand for social workers to help individuals and families seek help across community services.
12. Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers (NOC 7205)
This set of skill professionals supervise the activities related to tradespersons that include masonry and plastering trades. They are employed everywhere and may operate on their own business.
For this occupation, the inflation was 65 percent more in April 2020.
This occupation was considered important and was operated throughout the pandemic. A large source of demand in occupations derives from the residential sector.
Immigration programs for these professions
Skill work and experience go hand in hand to apply for an immigration application in Canada. It is not necessary to just have a job offer. If you see for the long term proposition, working in Canada will improve your earning potential, says 2020 Statistics Canada study.
All of the above-mentioned occupations that we discussed in this article, fall into the “skilled work” category. That means that may be eligible for one of the three Federal High Skilled programs under the Express Entry System.
Express Entry is a system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
A Comprehensive Ranking System scores a candidate’s eligibility to work in Canada. Points are awarded for skilled work experience, age, official language ability, education, etc. Candidates who score the highest get an Invitation to Apply for Canadian immigration. ITA makes them legible to become Canadian permanent residents when the federal government approves them.
Express Entry is the most wanted immigration pathway to Canada. The federal government’s 2021 Immigration targets, establishes that Express Entry Programs are expected to account for 108,500 new permanent residents alone in the current year.
The Express Entry System is also the initial step diving into the Alberta Express Entry Stream. The candidates with a score that is less than 300 in CRS may be able to apply for a provincial nomination from the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).
The Alberta Express Entry Stream is an example of a Provincial Nominee Program.
The federal government nods a final yes in all of the immigration applications and a provincial nomination would surely assure a yes from the federal government as well. The one drawback of this program is that it ends up costing more money and might take a long for candidates who otherwise did not qualify for a Federal Immigration Program.
Alberta’s other PNP is the Alberta Opportunity Stream. This stream is for skilled workers who are working in an eligible office in Alberta. All of the 12 occupations stated above are not on the ineligible occupations list. Occupation eligibility is subjected to other factors as well. A candidate cannot be nominated under this stream if the candidate doesn’t meet the minimum work experience requirement of 30 hours per week for at least 6 months.
For just a limited time Canada is offering temporary residence to permanent residence pathways for essential workers who were contributing to Canada during the pandemic.
If you are a professional of the above-mentioned healthcare positions, you are eligible under the Essential Workers Stream, which is open until November 5th or as soon as it reaches the intake capacity that is 20,000 applications.
