Why Skilled Trade Workers Choose Canada
After all, there are warmer destinations to choose from, right?
Well, first of all, Canada is a pretty special place. It has incredible access to nature, a high quality of life, it’s relatively safe, and it’s a four-season playground. Couple this with access to quality education and healthcare and Canada’s reputation for multiculturalism and diversity, and it’s easy to see why trade workers are choosing Canada.
Canada is also seeing extremely high demand for skilled trade workers. As outlined above, Canada’s federal government highlights the need for more than 250,000 new apprentice workers in Canada to meet demand. Meanwhile, Ontario’s government anticipates that 1 in 6 job openings will be in the skilled trades by 2026.
“Given the chronic labour shortages in skilled trades over the last decade and the positive outlook for the construction sector, there continues to be huge opportunities for stable long-term employment in skilled trades from coast to coast. For anyone considering immigrating to work in Canada in the skills trades sector, Canada’s demand isn’t likely to go away. From the aging population, low number of Canadians entering skilled trades, and high demand for construction, in part due to the housing shortage and infrastructure deficit, there is an extremely strong, long-term demand for trades workers.”
Which Skilled Trades Are In Demand In Canada?
There is an extremely long list of skilled trades in demand in Canada. We have listed some here, but if you don’t see your trade listed, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean it’s not in demand or that you can’t come to Canada. This list is just a small cross-section of in-demand trades.
Skilled Trades Workers Needed Canada-Wide
Here are some of the most in demand skilled trades across the whole of Canada, according to Canada’s federal government:
- Cooks
- Electricians
- Millwrights/Industrial mechanics
- Painters and decorators
- Welders.
Skilled Trades In Demand In Certain Provinces
These skilled trades are in strong demand in certain provinces:
- Automotive service technician (Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, PEI, and Yukon)
- Carpenter (Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, PEI, Saskatchewan, and Yukon)
- Hairstylist (BC, Quebec)
- Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician (Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, and Yukon)
- Oil Heat System Technician (Nunavut)
- Plumber (Northwest Territories, PEI, and Quebec)
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Saskatchewan)
- Sheet Metal Worker (Saskatchewan)
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter (BC)
- Truck and Transport Mechanic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut).
But, there are a host of other trades workers in demand in Canada. We see proof of this each month in the provincial immigration draw results. These provincial draws send out thousands of targeted invitations to skilled trades workers, inviting them to apply to become permanent residents in Canada.
The Highest Paying Skilled Trades in Canada
These are some of the highest paying skilled trades occupations in Canada, based on the high wage listed in Canada’s Job Bank:
- HVAC Mechanic: $49.52/hour
- Steamfitter and Pipefitter: $48.95/hour
- Electrician: $47.38/hour
- Millwright: $46.55/hour
- Plumber: $45/hour
- Welder: $42.50/hour.
Workplace Conditions for Skilled Trades Workers
In addition to competitive salaries, skilled trades workers may receive the following benefits from their employer in Canada:
- Health benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care. This coverage may be extended to family members.
- Overtime pay.
- Pension plans or retirement contribution matching.
- Paid leave. Depending on the province, you may be eligible for paid leave and/or sick leave. Some employers offer leave beyond statutory requirements, including maternity/paternity top-ups, religious holiday leave, and personal leave.
- Professional development, including paying for additional training and/or compensating workers to receive additional training.
- Tool and clothing allowances.
Immigration Pathway Options for Skilled Trades Workers
Canada offers permanent and temporary immigration pathways for skilled trades workers at the federal level, such as through the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and at the provincial level.
If you’re interested in learning more about permanent residence pathways and temporary residence pathways, including the pros and cons of each, read our earlier article about TR or PR in Canada.
Permanent Residence Pathway: Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canada’s Federal Express Entry is an immigration application management system that it uses to rank and invite economic migrants. One of the three primary pathways available through this system is the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
The program targets workers who have experience working in the following categories of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system:
- Major Group 72: industrial, electrical, and construction trades,
- Major Group 73: maintenance and equipment operation trades,
- Major Group 82: supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production,
- Major Group 92: processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators,
- Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks,
- Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.
A full list of which occupations within these groups may be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program
Applicants who wish to apply using this pathway are ranked based on the following criteria: work experience, age, job offer, language proficiency, and education. They will receive a number of points based on the above factors, which will then determine their position in the queue of Express Entry candidates.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
Accreditation and Licensing in Canada for Trades Workers
You may need to get re-accredited or licensed in Canada. These certifications are managed at the provincial or territorial level, which means that moving from one province to another may mean you need to get re-accredited. It also means that the process for licensing looks very different in each province or territory.
Here are the steps we recommend for determining what the accreditation process looks like in Canada:
Decide where you will live
This might seem simple if you’ve already been offered a job and you’re immigrating using an LMIA or other temporary work permit (such as the IEC program). However, it’s worthwhile looking into your immigration pathways options and career opportunities based on where you live and work long before you accept the position and start your life in Canada.
We recommend looking into:
- Whether your trade is a regulated occupation in the province you plan to live and work in. To determine whether an occupation is a regulated occupation, review the National Occupation Classification occupation profile to see if it requires a certificate, licence or provincial registration; use the Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada Tool via Canada’s Job Bank; view occupational profiles on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website; or contact the regulatory body in the province you plan to live in.
- The average salary of workers in your position compared to the cost of living.
- Any provincial documents outlining expected demand for that occupation, such as the 2022-2032 BC Labour Market Outlook, Manitoba Labour Market Outlook, or Saskatchewan Detailed Occupational Outlook for 2022-2026.
Regulated and Non-Regulated Trades in Canada
You will need to do individual research for your specific trade based on the province you plan to work in to determine whether it is regulated or non-regulated. This list outlines some generalities, but is not guaranteed to be accurate in every province or territory in Canada. It is also not a complete list.
Generally, electricians, plumbers, automotive mechanics, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other trades positions that tend to require an apprenticeship and training period are more likely to have formal regulation requirements. Regulated positions are also more likely to be considered NOC TEER 2 occupations, typically requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or supervisory occupations.
Painters, general labourers, landscapers, drywall installers, and flooring installers may not be regulated at the provincial or territorial level. That being said, there may still be licencing or accreditation options. And getting licenced or accredited can open the door to better career growth opportunities and increased earnings. These positions are more likely to be NOC TEER 3, 4 or 5 occupations that typically don’t require higher education or training levels.
Research The Licencing Body
This step applies if your trade is a regulated trade or if you are interested in licencing to increase your earnings and career growth potential.
Your ability to get licenced in Canada based on your out-of-country experience and training depends on a number of factors including:
- Where your original licence is from.
- Your level of work experience and on-the-job training. Generally, there will be a minimum number of hours requirement.
- References available.
Licencing Impacts Your Immigration Pathways
It’s important to note that your ability to get licenced in Canada may impact your ability to get a work permit based on an LMIA if you work in a regulated profession.
IRCC requires that trades workers in regulated occupations must either already have the required licence or be able to obtain it within 4 months of landing in Canada. Four months can go by quite quickly, so it’s important that you contact the licencing body so you can meet the requirements within this timeframe.
The ideal outcome is that you will receive a positive LMIA to work in a regulated position since this will typically come with higher earnings and an easier path to permanent residence in Canada.
However, there are options if you’ve contacted the licencing body and it is not realistic for you to meet the requirements to get licenced within four months. You can:
- Come to Canada to complete certain testing requirements in advance of receiving your work permit. (You may be able to complete training on a visitor visa for short programs.)
- Have your employer apply for an LMIA for an unregulated occupation. You can then come to Canada and work as a general labourer or electrician’s assistant, or similar while you work on getting licensed. This option often favours the employer, however, because you will be paid less for the work, and you are not guaranteed the higher-skilled (and higher-paid) position after you arrive. If you later become licenced your employer will need to apply for a new LMIA for this positio,n and you will then need to apply for a new work permit, or you will have to pursue another immigration pathway, if that’s an option.
One Step Further: What’s a Red Seal Trade in Canada?
Canada’s Red Seal is an endorsement on your provincial or territorial trade certificate which allows you to practice your trade across Canada. The Red Seal achieves this by setting a standard of excellence for industry skills, which provinces and territories have agreed to accept.
To receive your Red Seal endorsement, you must first meet the requirements of the apprenticeship and certification body in your province or territory (yes, they’re different again depending on where you work). Once you have, you will write an exam and, if you pass, you’ll receive the endorsement. Some call it ‘the last exam’ for trades workers.
Our top job hunting resources
- Follow these steps if you want to find a job in Canada.
- Check out the latest job postings on the Jobs Board
- Foreign nationals require the proper immigration status to work in Canada. Understand your work permits options.
- Networking is one of the best ways to find career success. Here’s how to network successfully.