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As a rapidly-growing country with a wealth of natural resources, Canada has a demand for skilled workers that is expected to increase dramatically in the next few years as the economy improves, a demand that the Canadian immigration system hopes to address.

Canada has entered into a major infrastructure and building drive thanks to a stimulus program introduced by the Canadian Government in 2009 as well as residential demands for new housing. The Canadian Government has also announced that it plans to welcome through Canadian immigration between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents in 2010.

Canadian immigration demands for construction workers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians are expected to increase due to this infrastructure programme. Oil, gas and manufacturing sectors are also expected to increase rapidly due to the international demand for resources, and finance and accounting professionals will be sought after as companies change to new, mandated accounting practices.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has reported a survey that found already 40 per cent of small firms struggle to find skilled workers to put their products and services to market.

A targeted Canadian immigration programme as well as training to increase the skills of Canadians is expected to help ease any potential skills shortages. The Canadian Government will accept between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents in 2010, specifically tailoring the Canada immigration system to recruit skilled workers in needed areas, as well as processing temporary Canadian Work Permits.

Canada immigration need occupations such as British tradespeople, including electricians, plumbers, construction supervisors, welders, crane operators, tilesetters and plasterers, as well as nurses, midwives and health workers, as well as financial managers, accountants, and computer and information systems managers.

Canadian Immigration has a Priority Occupation List (POL) which identifies 38 occupations deemed in demand and part of the country’s ongoing national skills shortage.

Those with an occupation on the Priority Occupation list at the time of application are eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program, without the need for a job offer from a Canadian employer. You are also able to immigrate to Canada as a matter of priority.

However, migrants on the Priority Occupation List are not the only ones who are able to apply for Canadian immigration.

Workers with other occupations who still wish to immigrate to Canada are also able to benefit from the Canadian Visa Bureau Jobseeker Service, which works as a specialised service for migrants with direct links to employers and providing an onshore point of contact.

The Canadian Visa Bureau can offer assistance in Canadian immigration and finding Canadian jobs for migrants working in any of the occupations that feature on the Canadian Visa Bureau Job Seeker Opportunities List, provided they have the qualifications and experience required by the Canada employer.

The Canadian Visa Bureau Jobseeker Service gives access to both an active government job bank of potential employers and a dedicated onshore Job Search Agent, who will:

• Present the potential migrant’s CV and work references to an employer in Canadian format, along with a letter of confirmed Canadian immigration eligibility;
• Provide a point of contact in Canada for employers; AND
• Assist the employer with relevant employment paperwork.

Under the current Canadian Immigration system, applicants who have an offer of Arranged Employment typically take approximately 6-8 months for their permanent residency applications to be processed. Canadian Visa Bureau is able to obtain temporary Canadian work permits for migrants with arranged employment that will allow the migrant to pass through Canadian immigration and commence work within 10-12 weeks.
The Canada immigration program for skilled workers is a fair points-based system, with points awarded according to age, education, work experience, and language skills.

Applicants aged 20 to 50 are awarded maximum age points, a higher age limit than most other countries. British workers wanting Canada immigration also have a number of advantages including English language points as well as a similar cultural heritage.

Canadian Immigration has a strong history of providing opportunities for people to migrate to Canada to make an economic, social, cultural and civic contribution, to reunite family members, and to provide shelter for refugees.

With this purpose in mind, Canadian immigration programs have built a stronger country by developing policies and programs that aid the arrival of new migrants and help integrate them into the community. The Canadian immigration department also enhances Canadian citizenship values and foster intercultural understanding.

Canadian immigration is responsible for providing a service which is both economic and humanitarian, by admitting migrants, overseas students, temporary workers and tourists who will benefit Canada, as well as resettling and protecting refugees. The Canadian immigration service also assists new migrants to settle into Canadian communities, while providing security to Canadian borders and ensuring Canadian immigration laws are adhered.

Many areas in Canada rely on skilled Canadian immigration for economic growth, valuable diversity, business investment, and higher productivity through skilled workers and their families. Statistics show out of Canada’s population of around 31 million people, one in every six Canadian residents was born outside the country, a reflection of the successful Canadian immigration programs and the country’s multiculturalism and the unique cultural, ethnic and linguistic mix.