You may have heard that Canada’s economy has been affected by unprecedented labour market shortages for the past two years. The latest data from Statistics Canada shows that in the third quarter of 2022, there were a total of 991,680 job vacancies across the country. This is a big increase compared to the 407,865 job vacancies in 2015. The population in Canada has also been growing rapidly, mainly due to non-permanent residents.
While there has been a slight decline in job vacancies in the first quarter of 2023, there are many opportunities available in industries that require higher education. This is good news for international professionals who want to come to Canada. Canadian employers are hiring more workers from overseas, with employment increasing by 150,000 in January alone. If you work in the following three industries, you have a higher chance of finding a job because they have the biggest shortages this year.
1. Skilled trades sectors
There is a high demand for skilled tradespeople across the country. Many workers in this industry are retiring, and it is estimated that about 700,000 workers will retire between 2019 and 2028. This means that thousands of new professionals will be needed to replace them in the coming years.
The construction and fabricated metal product manufacturing sectors are in particular need of more workers. They had a record number of job vacancies in 2022 and added 16,000 jobs in January 2023. Mechanic and repair technologies have seen a decline in apprenticeship certificates, and precision production has also declined between 2016 and 2021. If you are interested in these trades, focus on the Atlantic provinces, Ontario, and Alberta, as they are experiencing a decline in the number of tradespeople.
2. Wholesale and retail trade
In addition to the manufacturing and processing sectors, there is also a need for skilled workers in the wholesale and retail trade industry. This industry has been facing shortages since the pandemic. The number of full-time job vacancies have increased from 8,720 in Q3 2015 to 14,335 in Q3 2022, with the largest gains in food and beverage stores. Employment in this sector has increased by 4.0% between 2019 and 2022.
Wholesale and retail trade can be a good option if you enjoy customer service and interaction. The salaries are competitive, and there is potential for professional growth. The training requirements for this occupation are flexible, so you can progress from sales to a managerial position in as little as four years.
3. Healthcare and social assistance
The pandemic has impacted every profession, but healthcare is one of the sectors that come to mind when discussing the effects of the pandemic. In the first quarter of 2023, the healthcare and social assistance sector had the largest annual increase in job vacancies. The top three occupations with increased vacancies are registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates.
What should your next steps be?
If you have already worked in one of these industries, or plan to in the future, that’s great! The Canadian market might be the place to grow your career. SkilledWorker.com offers coaching and support services to help you find the opportunity that is right for you.
Submit your CV to Skilled Worker’s MyCareer portal to see if you are eligible for our services. We have career coaching (also known as our Employment Enhancement and Coaching Package or EECP+) and IELTS training courses to help improve your professional profile.
For more information, contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
