With increasing in-demand positions for blue and pink-collar jobs, a large influx of immigrants finds it easier to get settled in Canada.
Canada National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Let’s start by talking about NOC. It is a Canadian job classification system based on the type of duties the job entails, as well as the nature of work that the employee performs.
You may find main groups of jobs according to this classification:
- Skill Type 0/Zero: These are manager level jobs like mine managers, restaurant managers and shore captains.
- Skill Level A: These are professional level jobs that require a bachelors/equivalent or higher degree, such as dentists, doctors and architects.
- Skill Level B: These are technical jobs including skilled trades that require proper training as an apprentice or a college diploma. The jobs include plumbers, electricians and chefs.
- Skill Level C: These are intermediate level jobs that require specific training or a high school education. The jobs include long-haul truck drivers, industrial butchers and food and beverage servers.
- Skill Level D: These are labor jobs with on-site training, such as cleaning staff, fruit pickers and oil field workers.
You may use this classification to better plan on how to use your work experience for immigration purposes.
In this article you may learn more job hunting tips for immigrants.
Blue Collar In-Demand Jobs in Canada for Immigrants
Blue-collar jobs belong to the category of manual labor, which may have both skilled and unskilled positions for employees. A large number of in-demand sectors are covered in blue-collar jobs. Here are some blue-collar jobs in demand in Canada for immigration.
Driver
All kinds of commercial drivers are in demand for jobs in Canada. Whether you have experience as a forklift driver or a long haul truck driver, with proper licensing it is quite easy to get employed. The average yearly salary for drivers is around $44,836, and the jobs fall under NOC Codes 7511, 7521, and 7452.
General Laborer
General labor demand is country-wide so that those with the required experience can easily find work in any province/territory of Canada. The main job duties include moving equipment and materials, cleaning, and physical labor. The average salary for these jobs is $29,250 and its NOC Code is 7611.
Welder
Welders fall under the skilled trade category and are one of the in-demand jobs for those who have experience in manual labor. The average salary for welders is $40,927 and the NOC Code is 7327.
Electrical Engineer
With increasing modernization and cities getting urbanized, electrical engineering jobs are more in demand than they have ever been. Everything that runs through electricity surely needs the services and maintenance of an electrical engineer, therefore it’s quite easy to find such jobs country-wide. The average salary for these jobs is $77,424 and its NOC Code is 2133.
Mechanics
Mechanical work, especially heavy-duty mechanics is largely in-demand in Canada. Skilled workers with experience in dealing with the repair and maintenance of large machinery can find jobs under the sectors of manufacturing and energy easily. The average salary for these jobs is $70,000 and its NOC Code is 7312.
Pink Collar Jobs
Pink-collar jobs fall under the service industry and include positions like retail clerks, receptionists, salespersons, waiters, and nurses. With increasing demand in healthcare sectors, a lot of people are looking to immigrate to Canada as a nurse.
Registered Nurse
The most dominating job amongst pink-collar jobs is that of a nurse, and it attracts many healthcare workers to immigrate to Canada due to the attractive salary packages and benefits.
Foreign-born nationals have to appear for the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) in order to immigrate.
Nursing falls under NOC Code 3012 and is a very in-demand job that offers Canadian PR when applied through the Federal Skilled Worker Immigration Program or Provincial Nominee Program.
Some nursing categories include:
- Intensive Care Nurse (average salary of $75,000 – $106,000),
- Nursing Consultant (average salary of $78,000 – $109,000),
- Mental Health Nurse/ Registered Psychiatric Nurse – R.P.N (average salary of $72,717 – $112,000)
- Occupational Health Nurse (average salary of $67,481 – $102,000)
- Nurse Researcher
- Clinical Nurse (average salary of $81,335 – $138,000)
- Accident and Emergency Nurse
- Community or Public Health Nurse (average salary of $75,093 – $110,000)
- Critical Care Nurse (average salary of $54,000 – $109,000)
You can immigrate to Canada as a nurse directly through immigration programs of PNP/express entry or through a job offer. Nurses enjoy an attractive salary package along with all the benefits of a Canadian PR such as universal healthcare/ education, social security, and safety.
Immigration Options for Blue & Pink Collar Specialists
Let’s explore the pathways used for immigration.
What is the most common pathway for immigration?
The Federal Skilled Worker program, processed under the Express Entry system, could be the most popular ways to get permanent residency in Canada.
You may learn more about it here.
Do you have some trades experience?
Then Federal Skilled Trades program could be an option for you. It is specifically designed for those who have skilled trades experience and skills.
Do you want to settle in any exact province?
If you are looking to immigrate to a particular province, PNP is the right immigration pathway for you. You may read more about it in this article.
Do you want to get some Canadian work experience before the immigration?
Then you may be interested in the Canadian Experience Class program. If you have work experience in Canada on temporary residency, it can accelerate your immigration process greatly.
So, what next?
The more you explore the job market, the more chances you have to get a good job in Canada. So, you may continue exploring your options on your own or you may start by having a consultation with immigration specialists who also help with job hunting.
