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Canada seeks experienced expat tradespeople for permanent residency
| Published: | 12 Dec at 6 PM |
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Canada is opening the doors to thousands of skilled expat tradespeople by speeding up the visa process and offering permanent residency.
The country’s booming industries are desperate for skilled tradesmen and women, and are about to announce a new scheme offering permanent residency to those able to meet the needs. Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement yesterday, saying that workers are badly needed for Canada’s construction, oil and gas industries.
Specific trades including electricians, welders, heavy duty equipment mechanics, pipefitters and suchlike are being wooed with the promise of a new life and the security of permanent residence in the country. Those accepted will have had at least two years experience in a relevant trade, plus a job offer in Canada or a provincial government certificate stating their qualifications allow them to work in the province.
The scheme, known as the Federal Skilled Trades Programme, will accept around 3,000 applicants during 2013, with the numbers expected to rise in future years. A detailed list of qualifying professions will be released at a later date, and is expected to result in a rush to apply.
The announcement came shortly after a report stating that almost 33 per cent of businesses in Canada were suffering from a skills shortage, and has resulted in tension amongst the country’s trade union leaders. Unemployment in Canada’s provinces ranges between 7.2 per cent and 12.5 per cent, with the latter in remote areas unpopular with workers.
The unions are arguing that Canadian nationals should be first in line for jobs, but are not answering criticisms about on-the-job training or retraining for new technologies. The new scheme will sidestep the delays and high education requirements of the Canadian points-based residency visa system, and is expected to close the jobs/workers gap significantly.
The country’s booming industries are desperate for skilled tradesmen and women, and are about to announce a new scheme offering permanent residency to those able to meet the needs. Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement yesterday, saying that workers are badly needed for Canada’s construction, oil and gas industries.
Specific trades including electricians, welders, heavy duty equipment mechanics, pipefitters and suchlike are being wooed with the promise of a new life and the security of permanent residence in the country. Those accepted will have had at least two years experience in a relevant trade, plus a job offer in Canada or a provincial government certificate stating their qualifications allow them to work in the province.
The scheme, known as the Federal Skilled Trades Programme, will accept around 3,000 applicants during 2013, with the numbers expected to rise in future years. A detailed list of qualifying professions will be released at a later date, and is expected to result in a rush to apply.
The announcement came shortly after a report stating that almost 33 per cent of businesses in Canada were suffering from a skills shortage, and has resulted in tension amongst the country’s trade union leaders. Unemployment in Canada’s provinces ranges between 7.2 per cent and 12.5 per cent, with the latter in remote areas unpopular with workers.
The unions are arguing that Canadian nationals should be first in line for jobs, but are not answering criticisms about on-the-job training or retraining for new technologies. The new scheme will sidestep the delays and high education requirements of the Canadian points-based residency visa system, and is expected to close the jobs/workers gap significantly.
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