mdc

Top Jobs In Nova Scotia, Canada

September 7, 2023

|

  • Shireen Fisher

Are you interested in finding a job in Canada but need help figuring out where to begin? If you want to live and work in Canada’s top coastal provinces, then Nova Scotia is ideal for your new chapter. You will find plenty of job opportunities in this maritime province, ranging from healthcare posts to positions in manufacturing and finance. Ready to make a move toward a career and life by the seaside? Then learn more about the top jobs in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Top Work Opportunities in Nova Scotia

Like the rest of Canada, many jobs await in Nova Scotia. Below are the sectors that require the most workers.

Healthcare

Nova Scotia's medical sector is in dire need of experienced and qualified healthcare professionals. So, if you are a registered nurse, nurse aide, or physician, know that your skills are in demand here.

Jobs in Nova Scotia’s medical sector are so in demand that the province has two streams dedicated specifically to physicians, namely the Physicians Stream and the Labour Market Priorities Stream, which falls under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Nurse aides can apply for Canadian immigration under the Occupations in-demand stream. In contrast, practical and registered nurses will be required to apply to move to Canada through the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream Category B of the PNP. You could apply directly through the federal Express Entry system or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Transport

If you are a truck driver, the good news is that your skills are in demand across Canada and especially in Nova Scotia. This is because the province has a vast manufacturing and agricultural economy. Your best bet for getting Canadian permanent residency here is via the Occupation In-demand Stream of the Nova Scotia PNP. Alternatively, you could get a job offer in Canada and work on a temporary work permit for about a year or until you have a permanent job offer and apply for permanent residency through programs such as the Canada Experience Class (CEC).

Finance

Finance professionals keep every company and organization afloat and out of the red. Nova Scotia has a great need for skilled workers in the finance industry, so if you are an auditor, accountant, accounting technician, bookkeeper, or any other type of financial officer, this is one province you should look into.

You could apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) managed by the Express Entry System or the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream Category B of the PNP.

Manufacturing

Rich in natural resources and minerals, Nova Scotia has a huge manufacturing sector. Because it is a significant contributor to the province's economy, it needs workers to keep the wheels turning.

With various sub-sectors, including food manufacturing, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, computer and electronic product manufacturing, and more, you will find a job to fit your skill set here. You will find any vacancies advertised for general manufacturing laborers, production engineers, production assemblers, etc.

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining

Nova Scotia is well-known for its rich history in agriculture, fisheries, and fisheries. The province's agriculture and agri-food industry employs more than 12,000 jobs. It is also the country's top seafood exporter and has a mining industry that mines gold, quartz, gypsum, building stone, coal, and salt.

These industries continue to play a vital role in the province's economy. Whether you're a farmer, miner, fisherman, or just a consumer, there are many reasons to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into these industries. With thousands of jobs in these industries in Nova Scotia, all you need to do is find a Canadian immigration profile that matches your profile and skill set and apply.

Nova Scotia’s Key Regions

Halifax

Halifax is Nova Scotia's most significant urban metropolis and capital city. According to the province's official website, the service sector has the most jobs - 85% of all Nova Scotia's jobs. You will also find great increasing opportunities in the region's healthcare sector.

Annapolis

The Annapolis Valley is recognized as the wealthiest farming region in Atlantic Canada. So it is no surprise that along with its expansive fields, orchards, and vineyards come many jobs. The province's website mentions a spike in full-time job opportunities. There are also many vacancies in the area's construction sector.

Northern Nova Scotia

If you feel drawn to Northern Nova Scotia, most jobs here are in the region's service-producing industries. The goods industry, on the other hand, employs 25% of workers here.

Southern Nova Scotia

Southern Nova Scotia is brimming with prospects in several sectors. The goods sector tops the list in this region. Opportunities are also abundant in the area's construction, forestry, fishing, mining, and oil and gas sectors.

Cape Breton

Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island is a region that has great full-time and part-time job opportunities. The vacancy rate is particularly high in the region's healthcare, social service, and public administration sectors.

Top Canadian Immigration Options For Nova Scotia

Canada has over 80 immigration programs and visas. Applying for Canadian permanent residency will provide you with universal healthcare, free education, and the same rights as Canadian citizens. Here are three Canadian Immigration options worth exploring.

Take the Express Route to Nova Scotia

The Express Entry System is one of the most popular Canadian immigration routes for skilled foreign workers. It manages three of Canada's immigration programs, namely:

The FSWP is slightly different from the FSTP and the CEC in that it does not require you to have a job offer, but you will be expected to score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points to qualify.

Once you've made it through, you wi ll receive a different set of points, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This is where you will be ranked against other candidates in a pool. Factors that are considered are:

  • Age
  • Educational Credentials
  • Work Experience
  • Your Proficiency in one or both of Canada's official languages
  • A valid job offer (depending on program)
  • Your Marital Status
  • Links to Canada

If your CRS score is among the highest, you will be invited to apply for permanent residency. The best part about the Express Entry system is that your application can be processed in as little as six months.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (Nova Scotia PNP)

Canada's high retiree rate, low birth rate, and continuous growth in development and business have resulted in labor gaps. If employers cannot fill the jobs locally, the next step is to look to foreign talent who are experienced and are looking to live and work in Canada. Thanks to the country's Provincial Nominee Program, eleven provinces and territories have their PNPs, each designed to tackle the specific needs in the job market.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (Nova Scotia PNP) was designed to help fill the labor gap in the province. It has various differences from the Express Entry system. You will require a minimum job offer of at least a year and must also express interest in the province. If you apply directly to the province, you will not be able to enjoy fast-tracked processing, however, unless you apply under the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream Category B.

Before you apply for jobs in Nova Scotia, do some research on the different streams within this PNP to find the one that best matches your profile:

  • Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities Stream
  • Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream
  • Entrepreneur Stream
  • International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
  • International Graduates In Demand Stream
  • Skilled Worker Stream
  • Occupations in Demand Stream
  • Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry
  • Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) was designed to help foreign skilled workers find their way to one of Canada's four maritime provinces: Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and, of course, Nova Scotia. The AIP requires a full-time job offer in one of these provinces. You can apply to one of three AIP programs:

  • The Graduate Program - This program is for you if you have qualified from a publicly-funded university in Atlantic Canada.
  • Atlantic High-Skilled Program - You can apply for this program if you are a skilled worker with a minimum of one year of work experience in management and other high-level roles. You must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to validate your credentials if you got your degree in a country other than Canada.
  • Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program - You can apply to this program if you are a semi-skilled worker with at least one year's employment experience in an occupation requiring a high school education or specific training.

FAQs

What is the Processing Time For Express Entry?

If you apply to an Express Entry program, you can expect a processing time of six months.

What is the Climate Like in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia has a moderate climate, so it is rarely extremely hot or extremely cold. The temperature fluctuates throughout the day. It also depends on how close you are to the sea.