If you are a proficient tradesperson with an eye on international opportunities, consider heading to Canada—an acclaim-worthy destination teeming with demand for skilled trade workers. The varied skilled trade professions here not only ensure career consistency but also pave the road for financial prosperity and professional enhancement. Jobs such as electricians, plumbers, specialized welders, and HVAC experts are fundamental in bolstering Canada’s infrastructural and economic expansion.
Are you eager to discover the sought-after skilled trade vocations in Canada set to define 2024? PL Immigration presents an insightful guide to the top needed skilled trade positions set to energize both Canada’s commercial and domestic spheres in the forthcoming year.
Take the next step in your career by exploring what 2024 has to offer for skilled trades in Canadafortifying the nation’s growth and your own professional journey.
Top Ten Sought-After Skilled Trades in Canada
As Canada’s demographic shifts toward an older population and infrastructural growth continues unabated, there is a sustained need for skilled tradespeople. Those pondering a career in these essential industries should consider the following ten trades that are currently seeing high demand across the country. This, featuring the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and salary data sourced from the Job Bank of Canada, will give insights into these crucial roles. PL Immigration highlights these occupations as promising opportunities for career growth in the skilled trades sector.
Industrial Electrician (NOC 72201)
At the heart of Canada’s industrial landscape are industrial electricians. They are tasked with a range of responsibilities, from the installation and maintenance to the troubleshooting of electrical systems within industrial facilities such as factories and power stations. Training for this trade typically involves a combination of a college education and an apprenticeship, concluding with a journeyperson certification.
Average Annual Salary: 102,899 CAD
Province Demand: Primarily in Ontario and Saskatchewan
Welder (NOC 72106)
Welders play a crucial role in fusing metal components across multiple sectors including construction, manufacturing, and even aerospace. Mastery of advanced welding techniques, such as MIG or TIG, is essential for the integrity of infrastructure and machinery. Training paths include technical schools and apprenticeship programs.
Average Salary: 74,833 CAD
Province Demand: Especially high in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Heavy Equipment Operator (NOC 73400)
In the construction and resources industries, heavy equipment operators are indispensable. They handle machinery such as excavators and dozers, shaping landscapes and aiding in resource extraction. On-the-job training and apprenticeships can lead to specialized equipment certifications.
Average Annual Salary: 80,166 CAD
Province Demand: Notably high in Prince Edward Island
Plumber (NOC 72300)
Plumbers are vital to maintaining the movement of water and gas within homes and businesses. Their expertise covers installation and repair of plumbing systems, with training offered through college programs and apprenticeships that adhere to stringent safety codes.
Average Annual Salary: 88,173 CAD
Province Demand: A significant demand exists in Prince Edward Island
Carpenters (NOC 72310)
Carpentry professionals work with wood to construct and refurbish building frameworks and structures. Training typically involves a mix of formal education and hands-on apprenticeship, culminating in a Red Seal endorsement to practice independently.
Average Annual Salary: 80, CAD
Province Demand: Noted demand in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
AC Technician (NOC 72402)
HVAC technicians ensure our living and working spaces are heated and cooled efficiently. Training for these technicians includes college programs and apprenticeships that focus on system maintenance and environmental comfort.
Average Annual Salary: 88,143 CAD
Province Demand: High requirements in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island**Transport Truck Driver (NOC 73300)**
Key to the ongoing function of Canada’s supply chains, transport truck drivers deliver goods nationwide. Qualification for this trade involves specialized training programs or acquiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Average Annual Salary: 66,761 CAD
Province Demand: Primary needs are in Ontario and Prince Edward Island
Millwright (NOC 72400)
Industrial mechanics, or millwrights, are crucial for the upkeep and operation of machinery within industrial settings. Following completion of either college programs or apprenticeships, these skilled tradespeople ensure that production processes remain uninterrupted.
Average Annual Salary: 87,056 CAD
Province Demand: In Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan
Automotive Service Technician (NOC 72410)
Automotive service technicians specialize in car repairs and maintenance, ensuring that all vehicles operate at peak efficiency. College courses or apprenticeships provide the necessary training to secure certification in this field.
Average Annual Salary: 74,778 CAD
Province Demand: Widespread demand in regions including Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon
Cook (NOC 62200)
Cooking is a creative trade requiring technical skill and a passion for culinary arts. Cooks work in diverse settings, from restaurants to healthcare facilities, and gain experience through various training opportunities such as culinary schools or mentorship by seasoned chefs.
Average Annual Salary: 42,722 CAD
Province Demand: High employment prospects in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
These trades offer a gateway to stable and rewarding careers across Canada’s provinces, an area where PL Immigration can provide guidance and support to those seeking to enter these in-demand fields.
Navigating the Path to High-Demand Skilled Trade Careers
Discovering your pathway to a rewarding career in Canada’s dynamic skilled trade industry doesn’t have to be daunting. PL Immigration offers guidance to help you navigate the waters and land an in-demand skilled trade job that aligns with your personal abilities and passions.
Step 1: Assessing Your Capabilities and Interests
Begin by taking a critical look at what you’re good at and what you enjoy. Utilize the Canadian government’s Skills Assessment and Career Planning Tool for insights on your aptitudes. Consult the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to find out about different trades. Visit platforms like Skills Canada to get acquainted with various trades, their earning potentials, and educational prerequisites.
Step 2: Understanding Regional Labor Demand
The need for specific skilled trades varies from one province to another across Canada. Investigate provincial labor market data and examine skilled trades immigration routes. For instance, the Alberta Trades sector provides information regarding trades in demand, apprenticeship opportunities, and certification prerequisites, tailored to your vocational journey with PL Immigration.
Step 3: Leveraging Online Job Portals
Employ job search engines such as the Job Bank of Canada and Indeed, which feature a plethora of skilled trade job listings. Customize your search by inputting trade-specific keywords such as “electrician” or “plumber,” and localize your search depending on the region. Trade-specific platforms like BuildForce Canada are also beneficial for construction trade opportunities.
Step 4: Investigating Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeships are a cornerstone for many skilled trades, giving you a blend of hands-on work and academic instruction. Explore the Canadian Apprenticeship Service for government-affiliated apprenticeship programs that pair you with employers committed to fostering new talent in your selected trade.
Step 5: Building Industry Connections
PL Immigration advises making connections within the trade community. Engage with trade associations, labor unions, and academic bodies. Participate in job expos and sector gatherings to meet employers and stay abreast of the latest industry developments. Seek out mentorship by arranging informational meets with experienced professionals in your chosen trade to obtain firsthand knowledge.
Navigating the Path to a Skilled Trade Career
Working in a sought-after skilled trade in Canada requires a valid work visa, and there are several pathways to enter this vibrant sector. To embark on this journey, one must first pinpoint their specialized trade within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to confirm demand. Securing employment with a Canadian firm is often a prerequisite, validating the market’s need for your specialized abilities.
Employers in Canada might have to procure a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in support of your work visa application—this is to ascertain that hiring from overseas does not disadvantage the Canadian workforce. Upon receiving a solid job proposal and, if necessary, an LMIA, candidates can proceed with their application through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Trade professionals may be eligible for a temporary work visa or, in certain instances, a route to permanent residency via mechanisms such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), depending on their trade’s NOC tier and the length of their employment contract.
Achieving Permanent Residency for Skilled Tradespeople with PL Immigration
Canada’s robust demand for skilled tradespeople paves the way to permanent residency through programs like the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Designed specifically for specialists with offers in NOC-recognized trades, this program also requires candidates to possess two years of relevant, contemporary experience in their field, in addition to meeting specific language benchmarks in English or French.
The FSTP is tailored for efficiency, streamlining the application process in comparison with other immigration avenues. By adding one’s FSTP credentials to an Express Entry profile, applicants elevate their chances to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Gaining this status through the FSTP authorizes individuals to establish a permanent home in Canada, pursue employment or education, and extend immigration sponsorship to family members. Ultimately, it also lays the groundwork for attaining Canadian citizenship.
