Canada Express Entry 2024 Important Updates for Skilled Workers: Most In-demand Jobs in Canada

The Express Entry system has completely changed immigration to Canada, and for individuals hoping to settle there, knowing which professions are in great demand is essential. We’ll examine the most sought-after positions in the Canadian labor market in this update, offering insightful information to potential immigrants hoping to improve their chances of being accepted into the Express Entry pool.

For many temporary residents, those with work, study, or visitor visas, finding employment is frequently a crucial first step toward not just establishing their financial presence in Canada but also enhancing their eligibility for economic pathways leading to permanent residence (PR). Given this, a lot of immigrants are curious about the types of employment that are in demand in Canada. This information can facilitate their immigration process and help them find work more effectively.

Express Entry Category-Based Draws

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented Express Entry category-based selection draws to target candidates in the Express Entry pool who have experience in occupations for which Canada urgently needs workers to better adapt immigration to labor force needs.

The categories that the IRCC targets consist of highly sought-after professions in five distinct fields;

• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Trade
• Transport
• Agriculture and Agri-food

Therefore, the list of targeted professions can help us understand not only what jobs are in demand in the labor market but also which jobs the IRCC thinks it should focus on to better assist immigration and the Canadian labor market.

There is overlap among many of the professions that the IRCC identified when comparing these with other in-demand vocations that were listed by prominent job sites and human resource consulting organizations.

The list of jobs that are most frequently held in the healthcare and STEM fields, as per the IRCC’s occupational lists, is shown below. We will fully cover in-demand vocations for the remaining categories. The profession codes for the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021 are also provided for reference.

1. Healthcare Occupations

Jobs in healthcare encompass a wide range of professions, such as physicians, physiologists, psychologists, and many more. Among these occupations, the most typical job titles are:

Nurses

Targeted nursing professions here include;

• Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)
• Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102)
• Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)
• Physician assistants, midwives, and Allied health professionals (NOC 31303)
• Nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300)
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)

Lab/Medical Assistants and Technical Medical Staff

Targeted professions here include;

• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical options (NOC 33101)
• Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
• Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)
• Medical sonographers (NOC 32122)
• Pharmacy technical assistant and Pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103)
• Physician assistants, midwives, and Allied health professionals (NOC 31303)

2. STEM Occupations

Among the many professions covered by stem vocations are land surveyors, architects, data scientists, and more. The most popular professional titles in this category are:

Engineers

Targeted professions here include

• Civil engineers (NOC 21300)
• Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 23101)
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC 23100)
• Engineering managers (NOC 20101)
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers (NOC 23201)
• Metallurgic and materials Engineers (NOC 23202)
• Software engineers and designers (NOC 22301)

Business and Computer System Specialists

Targeted professions here include

• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20102)
• Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 22300)
• Cyber security Specialists (NOC 22200)
• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 22203)
• Information system Specialists (NOC 22202)

3. Trades Occupations

The trades occupation category includes jobs in skilled trades that are necessary for construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and other areas. These are:

• Residential and Commercial installers and servicers (NOC 73800)
• Elevator constructors and mechanics (NOC 72406)
• Machine Fitters (NOC 72405)
• Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics (NOC 72402)
• Construction Mill rates and Industrial mechanics (NOC 72400)
• Carpenters (NOC 72310)
• Plumbers (NOC 72300)
• Electricians (except industrial and power system) (NOC 72200)
• Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)
• Contractors and supervisors
• Other construction trades installers, repairers, and servicers (NOC 720104)

4. Transport Occupations

Jobs that facilitate the commercial movement of people and products are classified as transport vocations. These professions are:

• Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assemble inspectors (NOC 93000)
• Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300)
• Railway traffic controllers and Marine Traffic Regulators (NOC 72604)
• Engineer officers water transport (NOC 72603)
• Deck officer’s water transport (NOC 72602)
• Air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601)
• Air Pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
• Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72044)
• Railway Carmen or women (NOC 72043)
• Managers in transportation (NOC 70020)

5. Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations

Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

Occupational categories connected to farming, landscaping, and the production of food and produce are included in the categories of agriculture and agrifood. These professions are:

Contractors and supervisors

• Landscaping Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture Services (NOC 20031)
• Agriculture service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 20030)
• Butchers (retail and wholesale) (NOC 63000)

Are you eligible for category-based selection?

Candidates must already have an express entry application pool profile and have completed at least six months of continuous work experience within the last three years, either in Canada or elsewhere, to be eligible for these categories.

Following the submission of their profile under one of the three Express Entry managed programs—the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)—candidates must wait until the relevant IRCC Express Entry draw to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR) based on their score on the comprehensive ranking system (CRS) or their inclusion in one of the aforementioned professional categories.

The IRCC typically uses CRS scores to rank immigration candidates according to several human capital components. Candidates now have up to 60 days from the date of receipt of an ITA to file a complete application for permanent residence. The applicant will obtain a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR status if their application is accepted. They are then free to make Canada their permanent home.