Canada needs transport workers due to the rising demand. This is why IRCC has given top priority to transport occupations within the five other categories of Express Entry targeted draws. The Canadian government introduced a better way of dealing with the current labor shortage. The federal government brought forth new categories for the Express Entry targeted draws in June 2023. This is in addition to the already existing standard Express Entry draws.
The standard Express Entry draws are currently using the Comprehensive Ranking System to differentiate the scores of candidates and rank them against each other. Conversely, the Express Entry category-based draws emphasize candidates with considerable work experience in a specific occupation.
The category-based selection draws started to occur this year. The aim of these category draws is to bridge the labor force gap in five specific occupational categories. These include healthcare, STEM professions, Agriculture and Agri-Food, transport, and trades.
The Express Entry category draws began on June 28; as of now, there have been four more targeted draws. The latest Express Entry draw for five occupational categories took place on September 20.
The reason why Transport occupations fall under the targeted Express Entry category
Toronto Star’s recent story about the shortage of truck drivers states that this could actually lead to a severe challenge and threat to the Canadian economy. This is despite the trucking occupation being just one of the others in the transport category.
A report further claims that the absence of truck drivers often leads to shipment delays. As a result, the increase in goods will be an essential factor that leads to a rise in the price levels of goods in Canada.
Interestingly, the above story was developed through a combined report of Trucking HR Canada and the Conference Board of Canada in 2020. It is said that the shortage of truck drivers increased twice the level between 2016 and 2020.
Canada needs transport workers due to the rising demand
The latest news about the increasing cost of living and its effect on Canadians throughout Canada has led the federal government to acknowledge the need for transport workers. IRCC has prioritized transport occupations by keeping it one of the essential categories under Express Entry category-based draws.
Trucking HR Canada reported that between 2023 and 2025, Canada will need at least 17,000 additional truck drivers each year.
In terms of the largest context of the shortage of transport occupations, specifically, the trucking sector is seeing a significant shortage. Furthermore, it is developing a larger risk for Canada’s economy. This is why the main focus of this news is the trucking occupation.
The Toronto Star’s story also states that Canada presently requires 20,000 truck drivers, and this shortage will likely increase in the upcoming years. The shortage might shoot up to 30,000 in the future.
In March 2023, Transport Canada revealed the following figures concerning the transport sector’s labor shortages:
- Trucking shortage from 25,000 to 55,600 between 2023 and 2035.
- Shortage in the Aviation sector from 42,000 to 55,000 between 2025 and 2025.
- Marine sector’s shortage from 1,000 to 19,000 between 2031 and 2035.
- Rail sector’s shortage of 4,000 by 2035.
This data predicts figures in the upcoming 12 years.
Possible opportunities for potential immigrants arriving in Canada
Those immigrants who have considerable work experience in transport occupations will get ample opportunities to work in Canada. The Express Entry category-based draws present a plethora of career opportunities to those who immigrate using this pathway. As a result, they can lead comfortable lives and welcome a long career in Canada.
Besides this, Canada also pays competitive salaries to deserving immigrants in transport occupations. If the immigrants can get competitive incomes, half their objectives will be met. This means that they will get to meet their cost of living.
According to Statistics Canada’s data published in 2021, the average income of economic principal applicants emerged to be $43,600 in 2019. As far as hourly wages for full-time employment are concerned, this could be $20.96.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Star’s data indicates that the average hourly income of a long-haul truck driver is nearly $27.80.
Most importantly, transport professions introduce job opportunities for newcomers in Canada and offer them tempting salaries.
Unraveling the history of Express Entry draws
As of now, IRCC has held one invitation round, particularly for immigrants to Canada who hold Express Entry eligibility. This is also because they have acquired recent work experience as transport workers.
The recent transport occupations draw occurred on September 20, 2023, under the Express Entry category-based draw.
IRCC sent out 1,000 ITAs for Canadian Permanent Residence to Express Entry candidates during this invitation round. The lowest CRS score was 435.
The Globe and Mail also revealed through its data a month ago that one to two percent of all invitations to apply will account for transport occupations. This applies to the rest of the months in 2023. Also, Globe and Mail derived all this data from IRCC.
