On May
4th, 2013 the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be re-opened for
applications. This programme has been closed for application for a year, and
some occupation caps are known to be filled within days, due to the popularity
of the programme.
In
April, important announcements are expected to be made. These announcements
include the cap on the number of applications to be accepted this year, a list
of priority occupations, and information on designated educational assessment organizations,
revealed the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
The
priority occupations list determines whether there is demand for a profession
in Canada. The FSWP only accepts applications for the professions on the
occupation list. The cap on each occupation indicates how many applications
will be accepted.
On
the CIC website, some clues are given as to which professions might be on the
occupation list in 2013. “No details on how the list will compare to previous
years have yet to be released. However, an analysis of Canada’s labour market
can provide some clues as to the workers the country needs most. At present,
skilled labour shortages are particularly steep in the fields of healthcare and
natural resources management,” it says.
In
the article ‘Where the jobs are’ in Canada the CIC refers to a report recently
published by the Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce (CIBC). This report points out 25 professions that are most in
need of qualified employees. According to the CIC these professions can be summarized
as falling “in the fields of healthcare, mining, and manufacturing or business
services.”
“The new occupation list is the most
critical aspect of every application case,” says Jalil Parker, Manager of
Vision Consultancy Services, an immigration consultant “If your profession is
not on the list, you will not be able to apply.”
The
requirements to be eligible for the programme have been adjusted over the past
year, and are currently known to be the following:
- Have at least 1 year of full-time
paid work experience in the last 10 years;
- Demonstrate at least
adequate-intermediate language proficiency in English or French;
- Obtain at least 67 points on the
reworked point grid, which is based on factors such as language proficiency,
age, work experience, education, adaptability; and
- Have foreign credentials assessed,
authenticated, and given an equivalent value in Canada.
On
the CIC website, Attorney David Cohen is quoted as saying: “Applicants are now
in a position where they must balance the risk of preparing an application for
naught with the reward of submitting before caps close.
“Caps
are likely to be tight, and excitement for the program has been building over
the last year, so interest is high. Individuals who feel they have skills that
are valued in Canada may wish to get a head start on their applications today.”
Although
most documentation can be prepared in anticipation of your profession being on
the list, the assessment of foreign credentials requires another list: that of
the designated educational assessment organisations.
As
part of recent changes to the FSWP, the Canadian government has made it
mandatory applicants have their education abroad assessed against Canadian
education standards by designated organisations.
The
list of accredited organisations is one of the announcements expected to be
made in April, and should therefore not be missed. Most universities are
expected to be on the designated educational assessment organisations list.
Most Probables Skilled worker Requred for 2013 in Canada
Public
discussion has been growing over a report recently published by the Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). The report indicates a growing divide between
the number of high-vacancy job fields in Canada and the skills of the Canadian
workforce. To combat labour shortages, Canadian employers and government
officials are increasingly looking beyond their own borders to find the
employees they need. In addition, the government is taking ambitious efforts to
secure skilled foreign workers, on temporary or permanent bases, to close
employment gaps across the country.
In its report, CIBC targeted 25 professions that are most in
need of qualified employees. They are as follows:
§ Managers
in Engineering, Architecture, Science and Info Systems
§ Managers
in Health, Education, Social and Community Services
§ Managers
in Construction and Transportation
§ Auditors,
Accountants and Investment Professionals
§ Human
Resources and Business Service Professionals
§ Professional
Occupations in Natural and Applied Science
§ Physical
Science Professionals
§ Life
Science Professionals
§ Civil,
Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineers
§ Other
Engineers
§ Professional
Occupations in Health
§ Physicians,
Dentists and Veterinarians
§ Optometrists,
Chiropractors and Other Health Diagnosing and Treating Professionals
§ Pharmacists,
Dietitians and Nutritionists
§ Therapy
and Assessment Professionals
§ Nurse
Supervisors and Registered Nurses
§ Technical
and Related Occupations in Health
§ Medical
Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health)
§ Technical
Occupations in Dental Health Care
§ Other
Technical Occupations in Health Care (Except Dental)
§ Psychologists,
Social Workers, Counsellors, Clergy and Probation Officers
§ Supervisors,
Mining, Oil and Gas
§ Underground
Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers and Related Workers
§ Supervisors
in Manufacturing
§ Supervisors,
Processing Occupations
