Top In-Demand Jobs in Canada For Foreigners

The Great White North has become known as more than just a magnificent winter wonderland over the years. It is also seen as the ultimate land of milk and honey, considering the number of employment opportunities it has on offer. While the latest Statistics Canada labor market report indicates a decrease of around 33,500 vacancies in the country, there are still a whopping 843,200 jobs in Canada waiting to be filled. This means the door is wide open for foreigners to work in Canada and help fill the gaps left by the country's retiring population and low birth rate. In this article, we take you through the top in-demand jobs in Canada and the pathways to get you there.

Find a Job in Canada!

Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) System

Before researching jobs in Canada, you must know about Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC system evaluates the skill level of foreign workers, which in turn classifies their occupations. Note that jobs are grouped according to the duties being performed and the type of experience the individual has within the said occupation. This is how you can find your NOC skill level.

NOC 2021 came into effect in November 2022, moving from the existing four-category "skill level" framework to a six-category system. The new system calculates the number of TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) required to qualify under your occupation in Canada. Do some research on the country's TEER system before applying for a job in Canada.

Top In-Demand Jobs in Canada For Foreigners

With hundreds of thousands of Canada jobs for foreigners waiting to be filled, we now look at the top in-demand jobs in Canada according to Canadian Canadian job site, Randstad.

Developer (NOC 21232)

If you are a tech-savvy individual who knows all about source bugs, how to execute codes, and build computer programs, your skills would be extremely valuable in Canada. You stand a chance to contribute to the Canadian economy and earn a decent wage for a better quality of life in Canada. Developers are guaranteed long-term demand for their skills in Canada - they can expect to see 80,500 new job openings over the next ten years, according to Canada Job Bank.

Average remuneration per hour according to Job Bank: 40.38 CAD

Human Resources (HR) manager (NOC 10011)

Professionals in the Human Resources industry help enforce company policies, rules, and regulations. They also facilitate hiring, interviewing, payroll, and other employee benefits. According to Canada's Job Bank, there are expected to be around 18,200 HR Manager vacancies over the next ten years.

Average remuneration per hour: 50.96 CAD

Mechanical engineer (NOC 21301)

Mechanical engineers are researching, designing, and developing machines, fittings, and systems for air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing, and manufacturing functions. They are responsible for evaluating, installing, operating, maintaining, and signing off on every type of mechanical system. They work for consulting firms and just about every manufacturing, processing, and transportation business and organization or government department. They can also be self-employed.

Average remuneration per hour: 41.03 CAD

Welder (NOC 72106)

If you are good with your hands and enjoy repairing and working with stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals, then the welding industry is for you. With the right experience and skills, you can be part of the growing demand for welders. The need for welders and other machine operators will be at an all-time high over the next ten years, with 17,700 job openings expected to be available, according to Canada Job Bank.

Average remuneration per hour: 26 CAD

Accounting Technician (NOC 12200)

Have a knack for number crunching? Then you'll be happy to find many accounting jobs in Canada. Accounting technicians and bookkeepers take care of the financial side of things for businesses and organizations and the public sector. They may also be self-employed. Job Bank predicts there will be around 116,700 jobs in this field over the next ten years.

Average remuneration per hour: 25 CAD

Registered Nurse (NOC 31301)

If caring for patients and their needs is what you are passionate about, and you have the skills and experience to prove it, then you stand a great chance to succeed as a nurse in Canada, along with a decent salary. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses can expect to see an increase of 155,400 job openings, based on Canada Job Bank projections.

Average remuneration per hour: 40.00 CAD

Construction project manager (NOC 70010)

Construction project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating all operations within a construction company. You will report to a general manager or a more senior manager. While you can easily find a job in Canada as a construction project manager with either an industrial, residential, or commercial construction company, many companies outside of this industry also require your skills.

Average remuneration per hour: 40.87 CAD

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Digital marketing coordinators assist marketing, public relations, and advertising departments execute their tasks. So if you are good at coordinating and tracking marketing efforts, this one's for you. You must also keep abreast of the latest marketing trends and the greater branding industry. By doing this, you can comfortably develop new and effective marketing strategies. Canada's Job Bank predicts around 73,700 in the advertising, marketing, and public relations over the next ten years.

Average remuneration per hour: 30.50 CAD

Business Systems Analyst

Business analysts work on identifying and defining issues that come with the use of data. And with more and more companies going digital, the demand will only increase. When searching for a job in Canada, you will notice many vacancies for this occupation at big corporations, as well as smaller companies - especially startups. Job Bank notes that there will be 143,700 jobs in this field over the next 10 years.

Average remuneration per hour: 42.62 CAD

Driver

Canada is facing a current shortage of drivers, which means there will be a high demand for drivers over the next few years. Whether you are a long-distance truck driver or a short distance bus driver, your chances are good for getting a job in Canada. Job Bank data suggests there will be around 161,700 driver vacancies over the next ten years.

Average remuneration per hour: 24 CAD

With different occupations experiencing increased demand as time goes by, learn more about the in-demand jobs in Canada.

Start Your Canadian Career!

Popular Pathways to Canada

Canada has over 80 immigration programs and visas allowing you to live and work here. What's more - the country has some fantastic pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency for foreigners who want to settle here permanently.

Express Entry

The Express Entry System is not an immigration program but an online, points-driven system that comprises three highly versatile immigration programs. These programs are also most commonly preferred by immigrants. Your Express Entry Options are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Ideal if you have a degree or equivalent from a recognized tertiary educational institution.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Ideal for skilled tradespeople with a recognized diploma or certified job-specific training.
• Canadian Experience Class
  • Ideal for skilled workers living and working in Canada for a minimum of 12 months on a Study Permit, Work Permit, or Working Holiday Visa

With Express Entry, you will be ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a point system based on information such as age, qualifications, and work experience. Express Entry draws are held twice a month, in which candidates are ranked against each other. Those with the highest CRS scores will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) to a program, valid for 60 days. As a result, the information on your profile would have to be filled out before the expiry date. Once your profile is submitted, you will be informed about which Express Entry program is suitable for you.

Note that your eligibility or chances of getting an ITA will depend on the legitimacy and thoroughness of the information you have provided on your Express Entry profile. Therefore, we urge candidates to remain truthful and accurate in their information. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Provincial Nominee Program

Canada's Provincial Nominee Program is for you if you have the skills, education, and work experience to add value to the economy of a specific province or territory, want to live in that province, and gain Canadian Permanent Residency. Each participating province and territory has its specific streams and requirements targeting different categories of people.

You can apply for a provincial nomination in one of these 11 Canadian provinces:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon

Your PNP Application Options

How you apply depends on which Provincial Nominee Program stream you apply to. You might need to apply using the non-Express Entry process or through Express Entry.

With the non-Express Entry process, you must:

• Apply to the province or territory for nomination via a non-Express Entry stream
• Meet the eligibility requirements of the province you get a nomination from
• Apply for Canadian permanent residency online, should you get a nomination
• Obtain a medical exam and police clearance document

Note: Processing times for this option take longer than with an Express Entry application.

The Online Express Entry Process

There are two ways to apply to the PNP via Express Entry. You can either:

• Contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination via an Express Entry stream. If the province or territory nominates you, you must create an Express Entry profile (or update an existing one) and prove that you have been nominated OR
• Create an Express Entry profile and indicate your interest in your province and territory of choice. Once you obtain a "notification of interest" to your account, you must contact them directly and apply their Express Entry stream.

Atlantic Immigration Program

If you'd like to move to one of Canada's Atlantic provinces, then the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is for you. There are four to choose from, namely New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.

To be eligible for the AIP, you must be able to become economically established in the region once you settle here. You must also:

• Obtain a provincial endorsement
• Meet the area's minimum education requirements
• Meet the area's minimum language proficiency requirements
• Have the minimum work experience required in an eligible occupation within five years before you apply
• Meet the set minimum employment offer requirements

Map Out Your Path to Canada

FAQs

Where do I Look For Jobs in Canada?

If you want to work in Canada but need help figuring out where to start looking for opportunities, there are many websites that regularly post job openings. Take a look at sites like Canada's Job Bank, LinkedIn, and Indeed, to name but a few.

I'm Not Ready to Settle in Canada Permanently. Is There Still a Way to Work in Canada?

Yes. To access one of the many Canada jobs for foreigners without applying for Canadian Permanent residency, you can apply for a Canadian work permit.