Canada Launches Express Entry Program for Specific Occupations
Starting this year, Canada launched a category-based selection for express entry for new immigrants to the country. Using this system, Canada will be able to issue invitations to apply (ITAs) to prospective candidates with specific skills
The system will be focused on candidates who are proficient in French and/or have experience in one of the five following fields:
- healthcare occupations;
- science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations;
- trade occupations;
- transport occupations; and
- agriculture and agri-food occupations.
Candidates who qualify must provide proof they have at least six months of work experience in the last three years in a qualifying occupation within any of these five categories. The express entry system will still use the points-based comprehensive ranking system. In the pool of candidates, the top candidates with the desired skills will be invited to apply for permanent residence during each round of invitations.
Canada hopes to address the skilled labour shortages it currently faces. This system will hopefully attract immigrants with particular skills and experience to come to Canada and work in the five selected fields, especially in the skilled trades.
The system promises to use a rigorous application process to find the best candidates within the selected fields to ensure the quality of talent, which will hopefully reduce training time and turnover rates. The requirement for proof of recent and relevant experience within the applicants selected field should help streamline the most qualified candidates to fill the voids in the Canadian labour market.
Through programs like express entry, Canada aims to build an adequate labour supply to provide some relief to our current labour shortages, which in the long run will stimulate economic growth without inflationary pressures.