CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Skilled Migrants Will Account for 100 percent of Workforce Growth in Canada by 2011

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Skilled newcomers are key to Canada’s long-term economic prosperity and according to Statistics Canada, immigration will account for 100 per cent of net labour market growth in Canada by 2011.

Immigrants will be even more important in the coming years as the "baby boom" generation that entered the work force in the early 1960s to late 1970s is now beginning to retire. These workers cannot be completely replaced by recent graduates as there are just not enough young Canadians available to do it. In fact, by 2030 Stats Can predicts that immigration will be the only source of population growth.

Many key industries are subsequently now in a position where they are being forced to turn away work as they simply do not have the volume of expertise in their workforces.

Speaking in greater detail, Paul Charette, Chairman of the Canadian Construction Association said that "The shortage of skilled workers is crippling our country's economy. In my industry alone, close to 260,000 new workers are needed over the next eight years."

As with other countries, such as Australia, who too are facing similar problems relating to a lack of skilled labour, overseas workers are being branded as the solution.

Skilled migration visas are becoming increasingly popular and have been viewed as successful ways of fast tracking individuals willing to work in Canada, who possess the skills which the country requires.

Key industries which are feeling the pressures of declining worker numbers are construction, technology and manufacturing. According to a Bank of Canada survey the problem has escalated to a state in which more than 40 per cent of firms reported labour shortages were restricting their ability to meet demands.

In addition a forecast by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council showed a projected estimation of 348,000 unfilled jobs by 2025. At present Canadian immigration policies are ever changing, and evidence has been seen that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has begun to act on the looming shortages such as the Canadian Experience Class. Already the skilled worker class for Canadian permanent residence provides a route to Canadian immigration and permanent residency status for workers with desirable skills.

Much like the Tier 1 system in the UK, the system implemented for skilled migration to Canada is based on a points system which is required in order for a candidate to be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa.

If you are interested in Visas to Canada, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Canada.