IRCC’s new approach to Express Entry will now target occupations and several other factors while selecting candidates. Recently, the department had consultations with stakeholders and the public. Hence, it plans to build more categories under Express Entry, focusing on key factors such as work experience, educational experience, and official language proficiency. It will further reduce its focus on the scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
IRCC will select Express Entry candidates through other factors like occupational backgrounds and economic sectors facing labor shortages. The selection will occur regardless of international students residing in Canada or temporary foreign workers and the candidate’s language proficiency.
The Express Entry system is explicitly developed for skilled worker candidates who pursue permanent residence in Canada. These candidates can proceed to apply for Canadian PR through the chief programs, such as the FSWP; the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and the CEC.
Presently, the qualifying candidates receive CRS scores when they apply for PR. Also, those who become the top scorers receive an ITA for PR.
The consultations took place because the Immigration Levels Plan used the same technique for its success. However, the outcomes of these consultations have yet to come out because they finished on January 8, 2023.
IRCC stated that the targeted draws are likely to begin in 2023, during the spring season. When the minister decides on the final categories, he will declare them before sending the invitations.
IRCC’s new approach to Express Entry- elaborating the categories
IRCC is working on introducing a category related to work experience in specific occupations or sectors experiencing severe labor shortages. During the consultations, IRCC asked the respondents to highlight labor market areas facing extreme long-term needs. The department also asked them to give their suggestions on increasing the Canadian workforce through immigration.
Candidates who received permanent residence through Express Entry between 2019 and 2021 belonged to the following chief occupations:
- Administrative Assistants
- Retail Sales Supervises
- Food Service Supervisors
- Financial Auditors and Accountants
- Professional jobs in marketing, advertising, and public relations
- User Support Technicians
- Cooks
- Software Engineers and Designers
- Administrative Officers
- Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
- Restaurants and Food Service Managers
- Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
Potential category for international graduates
According to IRCC, introducing a category under Express Entry for international graduates would help directly combat labor shortages. For instance, a new category under the Express Entry category would revolve around graduates from Designated Learning Institutes. They will need to have diplomas or degrees in in-demand professions.
Furthermore, the department thinks international student graduates are appropriate for permanent economic immigration. They are fit for it because of their language proficiency in at least one official language, work experience, and educational eligibility. Mostly, these candidates happen to be in their prime working age, making them contribute effectively to the Canadian economy in the future.
Interestingly, more than 88,000 international graduates shifted to permanent residences using Express Entry in 2021. This accounts for an 80 percent rise since 2017. However, candidates might still find it complex and challenging to receive a Canadian PR while residing in Canada through a PGWP.
IRCC’s new approach to Express Entry- TFW’s obtaining permanent residence
International student graduates will access a new category helping temporary foreign workers gain permanent residency through Express Entry. During the recent consultation, the stakeholders expressed that the available PR pathways are inadequate. They meant that these pathways don’t align with the supply of temporary foreign workers as they cannot fulfill the labor requirements. Moreover, Temporary Foreign Worker Programs broaden the horizon of acquiring global talent. Additionally, it promotes economic growth and allows employers to hire employees for urgent job openings.
Generally, newcomers with temporary work experience in Canada will likely align well with the labor market. Moreover, they can quickly provide their skills as and when required.
In 2021, around 168,600 individuals shifted from temporary to permanent residence in the country. The reports also demonstrate that 64 percent of admissions occurred under the economic immigration category.
Selection of Bilingual and French-speaking candidates
IRCC ‘s next attempt is to introduce a strategy to invite more candidates based on their French language proficiency. However, it will apply to French speakers and bilingual candidates.
Previously, Canada also brought forth a Francophone Immigration Strategy, emphasizing French speakers outside Quebec. Hence, it fixed a target of 4.4 percent of immigrants learning French toward the latter part of 2023.
Additionally, the total number of Francophone immigrants under economic class was 110,000, and they settled in the country between 2017 and 2021. Of these immigrants, only 30,000 chose to settle elsewhere apart from Quebec. Additionally, the government will successfully invite Francophone candidates using Express Entry. This measure will solidify Canada’s bilingualism and bridge the Canadian labor gaps in certain communities that require French speakers for a specific occupations.
Canadian labor shortage
The new Express Entry modifications address the increasing aging Canadian population. Also, these provide a solution to the reduced birth rates. The increase in the aging population has also caused a rise in the demand for social services and a declining tax base. Hence, it is crucial to enhance skilled workers’ immigration to assist the Canadian social system, like healthcare. Without doing so, a whole new level of challenge would arise in helping the population.
The global economy is transitioning toward a greener and digital economy. Consequently, it is more apparent that acute labor shortages exist. Also, these shortages occur partly due to skill gaps and a rise in job openings. These vacancies are prominent in sectors including healthcare, construction, professional, scientific and technical services. Moreover, all these sectors necessarily require lengthy expert training.
Sean Fraser’s Mandate Letter
Recently, a Mandate Letter by the immigration minister spoke about the government’s priorities. Sean Fraser will need to focus on the following goals:
- Combat the severe labor shortages and their future outcomes.
- Assist in economic growth among the Francophone minority groups and encourage French-speaking immigrants.
However, to fulfill these objectives, Bill C-19 emerged to assist the immigration minister in inviting Express Entry candidates based on the financial requirements. This will enable the minister to select workers with the right skills and experience to meet economic needs. Additionally, those candidates who can fulfill the criteria for a specific category would obtain a rank under the CRS. The top candidate will receive an invitation to apply.
However, this category system will only apply to Express Entry candidates qualifying for any of the three programs.
