Know more about the emerging careers in Canada for international students
Canada has become a popular destination among international students in recent years because of its affordable tuition fees, world-renowned universities, experienced faculties, good quality education, and post-study work rights.
Also, with various laws and regulations in all 10 provinces and 3 territories of Canada protecting all workers, including foreign nationals, there is a huge scope of working after studies for all students. They can benefit from the minimum standards which are applicable in the jurisdiction while they are employed, such as a minimum wage, maximum working hours, entitlement to overtime, paid vacation, and rights to certain types of protected leave, etc.
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Table of contents
Top reasons to study in Canada
Academic excellence
Low cost of living
Student safety
Part-time job options
Immigration options
The education system in Canada
Emerging careers in Canada
Web developer
Human Resources (HR) managers and recruitment officers
Electrical engineer
Financial advisor
Pharmacist
Aerospace engineer
Project manager
Account manager
Registered nurse
Software engineer
Employment trends in Canada
Top reasons to study in Canada
One of the most lucrative reasons to study in Canada is that it is known to offer high-quality education with globally recognised degrees at affordable tuition fee. Further, Canada is currently ranked 5th on the United Nations Human Development Index for quality of life.
Here are some of the other reasons to opt for Canada as your international study destination:
One of the top priority reasons why students choose tostudy in Canada is because of the high quality of education. An international degree from a Canadian university act as a mark of trust and excellence. Moreover, Canadian degrees are recognised globally.
Tuition fees and cost of living in Canada are very less when compared to countries like US and UK and are very affordable. This makes Canada an ideal spot for international students. In addition to this, the return on investment also adds up as an advantage.
3. Student safety
Canada has been consistently featured among the list of top safe nations in the world. Based on the survey by Global Peace Index in 2023 Canada is ranked as the 12th most peaceful country across the globe. As an international student, you’ll benefit from the same rights as any other Canadian student.
Canada allows all international students to work for up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time (40 hours) during summer and winter breaks. This gives students an option to manage their expenses while they stay in Canada and also gain experience for career growth in the future.
However, it also requires students to have relevant study permit to pursue these jobs. There is a plenty of ways to work in Canada once the students complete their education:
On-campus work
Off-campus work
Co-op placements
Internships
Please note: Salaries or wages for the work vary based on the student’s skills and kind of job they have opted for.
Know more about on-campus and off-campus jobs in Canada
Co-op programs for international students
Co-operative education, or co-op education, is a program where you can work in an industry that is related to your field of study. It gives you real-world, program-related work experience while pursuing your education. Co-op allows students to study with an official paid work term. The conditions to satisfy for the Co-op programs are:
Students should possess a valid work permit
Work experience is indispensable for completing the degree/program
Students’ co-op placement totals 50% or less of the program
Know more about co-op programs.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) offers students to stay and work in Canada for up to three years after the completion of their course. At the same time, students can gain international work experience and apply for permanent residency later if needed.
Know more about work permit to study in Canada
The education system in Canada
Canada has become home to a significant number of international students at all levels of the Canadian education system. Based on the report by International Education Strategy published by the Government of Canada, international students are present in all levels of Canadian education: primary, secondary, trades, and college and university (post-secondary), with the highest number being at the post-secondary level.
The education system in Canada is highly regarded for its quality and accessibility. It is publicly funded, meaning that education is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents, regardless of their financial situation. It is also decentralised, which means each province and territory has its own unique education system.
One of the key features of the Canadian education system is its emphasis on bilingualism. French and English are both official languages in Canada, and many schools offer bilingual programs to help students become proficient in both languages.
know more about education system in Canada
Emerging careers in Canada
Canada is a hub of international students, there are plentiful career options you can pursue after studying in Canadian colleges and universities. Here are the top emerging careers in Canada:
1. Web developer
Web developers’ main role is to create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the technical aspects of the site which includes performance and capacity. Based on the reports by the Canadian Occupational Projection System the positions in the web development field are expected to grow at a higher rate than the average of all occupations.
Due to this, 54% of job creation is expected to emerge in Canada. Also, Vancouver becomes the first province to offer the highest salaries for front-end developers in Canada, with an average salary ranging from $64,000. You will be amazed to know that it employs over 80,000 workers in the tech industry compared to other major cities in Canada. Related occupations will include Web designer, Search engine Optimisation (SEO) Specialist.
2. Human Resources (HR) managers and recruitment officers
The role of the HR manager is to recruit the right talent in Canada’s tight job market. They play an important role across every industry and are highly valued by most Canadian businesses.This is also one of the reasons why there's always a demand for HR managers and recruiters throughout all provinces and territories.
Recruitment officers in Canada play a major role in filling theunending demand in Canada for the recruiter. They can improve their chances by registering as aprofessional recruiter and by being a member of the Association of ProfessionalRecruiters of Canada (APRC). The average salary for an HR manager is$65,541in Canada.
3. Electrical engineer
Electrical Engineers design, test and manufacture electrical equipment. The demand for electrical engineering professionals is increasing in the Canadian market. During the period 2019-2028, new job openings for electronics engineers are expected to increase to a total of 13,300 in Canada. Ontario and Quebec specifically offer more jobs for electrical and electronics engineers due to the sheer volume of manufacturing activity.
The average salary of an electrical engineer in Canada is $85,000 per year or $43.59 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $68,250 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $114,664 per year.
Electrical engineers play an important role in the modern economy. Electrical engineers design, analyze, specify, construct and test electrical systems and components and are responsible for their safe operations.
4. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors also promote the products and services of the financial institution and advice regarding saving money. The average financial advisor salary in Canada is $62,736 per year or $32.17 per hour.
Entry-level positions start at $53,500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $104,442 per year
5. Pharmacist
Pharmacists collaborate with programs and services that are designed to promote well-being and health. A pharmacist can build a career path by workingin a hospital or a drugstore or by starting apharmacy. In all 13 of Canada’s provinces and territories, we have a great demand for Pharmacists and as a highly skilled professional, you can expect to earn between $71600 and $114900 per year.
The basic requirements are a degree in pharmacy, passing the exam conducted by the PEBC – Pharmacy Examining Board and completing registration to become a certified Pharmacist.
6. Aerospace engineer
An aerospace engineer’s main role is to design, research, develop, and oversee the manufacture and maintenance of aerospace vehicles and systems. Owing to the rampant growth of two of the biggest aeronautical companies globally, Boeing and Airbus, career opportunities in aerospace engineering have grown at an exponential rate. The chances of getting hired as an aerospace engineer in Canada are very high as experienced engineers retire, creating more vacancies in the job roles.
The average starting salary of an Aerospace Engineer ranges around $90,000 per year.
7. Project Manager
Project managers who can reach the desired outcomes while managing a changing landscape are essential to success across a variety of industries. It is expected that in the next five years, over 90,000 project managers will be hired across Canada. Entry-level positions start at $68,620/year, while most experienced workers make up to $120,000/year.
The average salary in Canada is $86,633/year or $44.43 /hour.
8. Account Manager
Account managers are the main connection between the financial institution they work for and their clients. They devise the best financial solution for each customer while working with internal teams to deliver better services and products. The requirements for account managers include a university degree in accounting, business administration, economics, or commerce. The national average salary for an account manager is $56,596.
The demand for account managers is increasing in different industries, ranging from marketing, banking, sales, and information technology to consulting. To become a successful account manager, you need to build a strong relationship with clients.
9. Registered Nurse (RN)
Canadians give more importance to health. So, health care has become a prominent industry in all provinces and territories, and this is evident in the fact that nursing is one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada.
The basic requirements to become a registered nurse in Canada are a bachelor’s degree and a formal registration within the specific province. In recent times there has been a decline in the nursing population which has affected the healthcare system. The national average salary for nurses in Canada is $87,603.
10. Software Engineer
Software engineers are one of the most in-demand occupations in Canada because of the country's ongoing recruitment drive for tech professionals. The average salary of a Software Engineer in Canada is CA$118,928. While there is no minimum salary for a Software Engineer in Canada, the average salary is CA$118,928. The highest-paying company for a Software Engineer in Canada is Instacart with an average salary of CA$ 311,539.
The majority of the in-demand jobs in Canada to keep an eye on are in the technology sector, and a handful of them require substantial online know-how.
Employment trends in Canada
Based on the recent survey there are over 9,00,000 unfilled positions at the start of 2022, and it is expected to increase more in the upcoming years. Sectors with the highest vacancies include:
Health care and social assistance
Accommodation and food services
Retail trade
Manufacturing
Construction
Professional, scientific, and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Transportation and warehousing
Three years back, the demand for skilled workers in retail, customer service, warehouses, and information technology had increased in the market. Also, jobs related to eCommerce, IT, and healthcare became most important during the pandemic.
Provinces | Vacancy rate | Change | Unfilled jobs |
Quebec | 4.10% | 0.10% | 1,17,700 |
British Columbia | 3.70% | 67,100 | |
Ontario | 3.30% | 0.10% | 1,67,900 |
New Brunswick | 2.70% | 6,300 | |
Manitoba | 2.60% | 11,300 | |
Nova Scotia | 2.60% | 0.10% | 7,900 |
Alberta | 2.60% | 0.10% | 41,800 |
Saskatchewan | 2.00% | 6,900 | |
Prince Edward Island | 1.50% | 700 | |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 1.30% | -0.10% | 2,100 |
The current political situation in the USA has made Toronto an attractive location for international students creating a rich pool of tech and IT graduates. The cost of living in Canada is low when compared with the US which has led many firms to relocate. Canada is currently facing a shortage of tech professionals and software engineers as it loses many of its sharp, talented college graduates to the attraction of Silicon Valley. However, it compensates for this shortage by recruiting more skilled professionals from across the globe to keep pace with the market demand.
Employment rose by 108,000 (+0.6%) in October 2022, recouping losses observed from May to September. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% in October. There is a rise in employment in several industries like manufacturing, construction, accommodation and food services in Ontario and Quebec provinces. At the same time, there was a decline in employment in wholesale and retail trade, as well as in natural resources.
With an increase in job vacancy rates, Canadian workforce, and the current immigration target of welcoming more than one million newcomers in the next three years now is the best time for foreign nationals looking for employment to take that first step toward Canadian immigration!
Read more about Canadian government’s major decision for immigration
If you have any further questions regarding studying in Canada, you can get in touch with our international education experts at IDP, they will guide you through the admission process.
Talk to our Canada education expert
Updated on March 6, 2023
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