As a result of the pandemic, demand for certain jobs has gone down, while there are a few sectors that have seen an increase in demand for their jobs as an impact of COVID-19.
COVID-19 has caused a severe negative financial impact on the economies of different countries, and Canada is no exception. To contain the virus, residents in Prince Edward Island also started working from their residence. Furthermore, many people have lost their jobs during these trying times.
It is certain to everyone that the pandemic has caused great damage to certain job positions. However, there are a few job positions, which have seen a significant rise in their demand. Research conducted by the authorities signifying the impact of this pandemic on the labour market of Prince Edward Island calls our attention to multiple in-demand jobs.
You can find below the list of a few of these jobs with their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, as highlighted by the authorities in their research:
1. Administrative Jobs
The research shows that below two administrative jobs can be in demand as a result of the pandemic.
- Dwelling construction and renovation managers (NOC 0712): There has been a significant rise in demand for jobs in this sector as a result of the elevated demand for renovation work for residences. Furthermore, the province is expecting to see more demand for workers in this sector, as new residents will be coming to the province due to continued immigration, which will require more construction and renovation workers to manage accommodation for these new inhabitants.
- Managers in agriculture (NOC 0821): The province is seeing a rise in the demand for managers in this sector to assist native companies during the pandemic. On the other hand, potato farmers are expecting a significant reduction in their demand, as many restaurants have closed and French-fry processing has also decreased.
2. Finance, enterprise, and administrations jobs
The research shows that administrative officers (NOC 1221) can be in demand as a result of the pandemic, as the province is predicting an increase in administrative office work in all industries. Instructional and healthcare sectors have been employing additional workers to ensure proper implementation of healthcare and security measures to curb the virus.
3. Healthcare Jobs
Potential employment opportunities have always been on a higher number for professionals in this sector, as a result of continuous progress of the province and a greater number of old residents.
The province was previously experiencing a shortage of candidates under NOCs 3012 and 3233 described below. Moreover, the province is expecting to see a further increase in this demand after the pandemic.
In addition, the employers in Prince Edward Island have highlighted that there is no sufficient number of certified dental hygienists in the province.
Below are some of the most in-demand healthcare jobs in the province with the maximum number of vacancies:
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012)Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233)
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 3413)
- Dental hygienists and therapists (NOC 3222)
4. Pure and Utilized Sciences field
Workers in this sector were able to shift themselves to work from their residence during the pandemic. That is why there have been negligible layoffs in the sector. Furthermore, data program analysts and consultants observed an increase in demand to help different companies and universities to transition to online from offline platforms. The province is seeing a higher demand for below jobs in this sector.
- Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
- User support technicians (NOC 2282)
5. Trades, transport operators and related jobs
The province was already experiencing a shortage of skilled transport truck drivers before the pandemic, and the demand for these drivers remained the same during the pandemic as well.
In addition, there has been an increase in the demand of the supply and courier service drivers for take-out meal services as well as other important retailers, which were expected to be negatively impacted due to the pandemic.
The province is seeing a higher demand for below jobs in this sector:
- Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511)
- Delivery and courier service drivers (NOC 7514)
6. Schooling, regulation, and other jobs in social groups
The demand for workers in social groups remained constant or saw an increase during the pandemic, as the staff in this sector were able to transition to video conferencing to complete their tasks. In addition, the demand for the dwelling help staff has increased as well as for the elementary and secondary school teacher assistants.
The province may see a higher demand for below jobs in this sector:
- Social workers (NOC 4152)
- Social and community service workers (NOC 4212)
- Home support workers, housekeepers, and related occupations (NOC 4412)
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 4413)
7. Farming and agricultural jobs
There is a possibility that the province of Prince Edward Island is still experiencing a shortage of general farm workers and harvesting labourers. Initially, these jobs were impacted due to the closing of the borders of Canada, as the sector was dependent on hiring from across the world. However, this problem was soon resolved when the Canadian government exempted foreign staff from travel restrictions temporarily.
The province may see a higher demand for below jobs in this sector:
- General farm workers (NOC 8431)
- Harvesting labourers (NOC 8611)
Prince Edward Island: Immigration Pathways
The candidates who are willing to immigrate to the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island and have the required experience and qualifications to fill in a skilled worker job position to support the economy of the province can apply through one of the federal immigration programs below by submitting an online Express Entry profile.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
The following job positions are not considered as skilled work among all those specified above:
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 3413)
- General farm workers (NOC 8431)
- Harvesting labourers (NOC 8611)
- Transport truck drivers (NOC 7511)
- Delivery and courier service drivers (NOC 7514)
- Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations (NOC 4412)
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 4413)
If a candidate does not want to apply through the Express Entry system, he or she can apply through an immigration stream under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) managed by the province.
The PNP offers multiple immigration options. For example, the Labour Impact Category has three different categories (Skilled Worker stream, Critical Worker stream, and International Graduate stream), and a candidate can apply through one of these streams depending upon his or her occupation.
Under the skilled worker stream, the candidates who have got a job opportunity from any business owner in the province and are holders of a valid work permit can apply. On the other hand, foreign students who have previously completed their graduation from a recognized institution in PEI and are holders of a Post-Graduate Work Permit can apply through the International Graduate stream. Furthermore, the candidates who have the skills for a job position in NOC code skill level C or D, such as truck drivers, housekeepers, customer support staff, meals and beverage servers, and others, can apply through the Critical Worker stream.
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is another immigration option for candidates willing to immigrate to PEI. The AIPP assists employers in bringing candidates from below three categories to one of the four Atlantic provinces (Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
- Skilled workers
- Intermediate level workers
- International graduates
Furthermore, through the AIPP, employers are not required to get an LMIA. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that ensures the employer was not able to find a suitable Canadian resident or citizen to fill in the vacant job position.
Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates (NOC 3413) are one of the 40 healthcare positions, which are eligible for immigration through Canada’s temporary pathway to permanent residency. Currently, there are around 20,000 positions for candidates who worked in Canada in the healthcare sector during the pandemic. Until November 5, or when the demand cap is met, Canada will continue to accept these immigration applications.
