Canada’s top tech jobs forecast for 2020
By Shelby Thevenot
A look at the tech jobs projected to be in high demand, and the skilled-tech worker's employers will be hiring this year.
A look at the tech jobs projected to be in high demand, and the skilled-tech worker's employers will be hiring this year.
The high demand for tech talent in Canada is rolling into 2020 as experts start to predict the sector’s outlook for the new year.
Shortages in the technology sector labour market have prompted immigration programs in British Columbia and Ontario to step up recruiting efforts. In 2019 the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) extended its tech pilot to June 2020, and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) started holding draws specifically for immigration candidates with tech experience.
“There are not enough [skilled workers] to fill those positions… There’s really a shortage of labour,” Patrick Poulin, president of the staffing division of Randstad Canada, told CIC News. “It’s definitely a key asset to have immigrants coming in to fill those positions. It’s super important.”
Randstad Canada, a human resources consulting firm, released its predictions for 2020 on the top in-demand tech jobs in Canada, as well as in-demand skills and salaries.
The technology sector offers some of the most competitive salaries in Canada. For 2020, the average annual salary is an estimated $81,750.
Low-earners in this field can expect to earn an average salary of $55,000, and the highest earners may bring home $140,000 or more.
Tech talent continues to be highly sought after in major urban centres like Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver.
“If you have tech skills (in particular the ability to code in popular languages such as Java, python, or various C-based languages), you’ll have your pick of employers in many of Canada’s largest cities!” the Randstad webpage said.
In-demand tech jobs
The following eight positions are expected to be highly sought after in Canada, according to Randstad:
- Developers and Programmers
Full-stack developers with front and back end skills are especially sought-after though coding and programming skills are in high demand everywhere. Employers will be seeking skilled developers with knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Python, and .NET.
- IT Project Manager
The demand for this position has grown in Canada since last year. Employers are looking for those with project management skills, specifically PMP, PMI, or Agile Certified professionals.
- Quality Assurance Analyst
Another position that is expected to be in-demand this year. Quality assurance analysts ensure the software is user-friendly and bug-free.
- Data Analyst
Data analysts make sense of the massive amounts of information that companies collect to run their businesses. Demand for this position is expected to grow as businesses increasingly rely on data.
- IT Business Analyst
Analysts who specialize in tech and software analysis will be in especially high demand this year. Their role is to shape and optimize business systems and software to make them operate effectively.
- Senior Software Engineer
The demand for coding skills and developers is particularly intense at the senior level. Randstad says, “Employers are looking for candidates who already have a lot of experience, rather than hiring and developing their own junior and intermediate software engineers.”
- Network Administrator
Network administrators make sure everything runs smoothly for both employees and customers. They oversee their employer’s IT network and setup, manage servers, and network equipment.
- Technical Support Specialist
Tech-savvy workers with skills in customer support are expected to be in high demand this year. As the use of technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life, so does the need for professionals who can provide assistance and support to businesses and customers that are experiencing technical, hardware, or software issues.
Source: CIC NEWSWhat is Canada’s Student Direct Stream?
by Kelly Acheson
Launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in June 2018, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) is an expedited study permit application stream for international students who want to pursue higher education in Canada. IRCC developed this program to support the rapid growth of international student applications. The main benefit of the SDS for applicants is that it offers more efficient study permit processing times.
Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria, however. These requirements are explained below. Keep reading to see if you qualify for the SDS!
Who Is Eligible for the SDS?
First, applicants must intend to study at a designated post-secondary learning institution (DLI) in Canada. You can find a complete list of Canadian DLIs here.
Second, applicants must meet certain language, medical, and financial criteria. Specifically, applicants must provide documentation upfront showing that they are able to succeed academically and support themselves financially while studying in Canada.
Furthermore, SDS applicants must legally reside in one of the following countries:
- China
- India
- The Philippines
- Vietnam
- Pakistan
- Morocco
- Senegal
If a student is a citizen of one of the seven countries listed above, but they aren’t currently living there, they are not eligible for the SDS. To apply for the program, the student must also be residing in the country.
Does the SDS Replace IRCC’s Regular Study Permit Stream?
The SDS does not replace IRCC’s regular study permit program. It is simply an expedited stream. If a student applies for the SDS, but does not qualify, then their application is processed under regular processing procedures.
How to Apply for the SDS
International students must apply online for the SDS. Alongside their electronic application, students must submit the following documents:
- A copy of their acceptance letter from a post-secondary DLI
- A copy of their upfront medical exam confirmation document (if required)
- A police certificate (if required)
- Proof that they have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000 CAN
- Proof that they have paid the tuition fees for their first year of study
- A copy of their most recent educational transcript
- Proof that they have completed a language test showing either:
- A score of at least 6 for English on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or
- A score of at least 7 for French on the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)
More information about the supporting documents necessary for the SDS application can be found on the IRCC website.
What’s Next for the SDS?
Plans are in the works to expand the SDS over the next five years. This expansion will include a new application service that will provide a single, streamlined experience for international students. This means students will be able to apply for a study permit, temporary resident visa, or work permit for a co-op term, all in one place. For more information about the SDS, and to find out whether you qualify, visit the IRCC website.
Source: WES
Jobs opportunities with LMIA in Canada in 2020.
Our current vacancies are posted on our portal:
- Autobody Technician - collision - LMIA submitted
- Cook - SINP Job approval submitted
- Shingler - LMIA approved
- Painter - LMIA submitted
- Shift Manager - LMIA submitted
Please do not forget that you will need to send us your IELTS certificate and employment reference letters from past employers in original and translated into English, in order to apply for these job vacancies.
Please send us your resumes and other documents to our email address at nexuscanadavisa@gmail.com
The CanadaVisa Study Hub: An Online Portal for International Students and Graduates in Canada
by Gelek Badheytsang
It is estimated that more than 350,000 international students are currently studying in Canada, and this number is on the rise. Many universities and colleges are reporting significant increases in applications from potential international students for 2017. Studying in Canada can open doors to opportunities, not only for working after graduation but also for immigrating permanently. Individuals around the world are eager to take advantage of these opportunities and the new CanadaVisa Study Hub online portal can offer help.
Attorney David Cohen has more than 35 years of experience in Canadian immigration law. Now, he is applying this experience to a new initiative to assist international students through the entire journey of studying in Canada and the pathway to permanent residence. The newly launched CanadaVisa Study Hub is an online portal that provides international students and graduates with the means to maximize the potential of their time in Canada.
WES Global Talent Bridge sat down with Attorney Cohen to discuss this new resource.
What is the Study Hub?
The CanadaVisa Study Hub is an online portal for international students in Canada, as well as recent graduates working on a post-graduation work permit. The Study Hub not only provides information on studying in Canada, and working during and after studies, but also a customized plan for temporary and permanent immigration. Many international students in Canada aim to work after graduation or immigrate permanently, and the Study Hub is all about giving students the best possible opportunity for realizing that goal.
So the Study Hub is for international students and graduates who are aiming to stay in Canada?
Not exclusively. We’ve designed the Study Hub to cater to all international students and post-graduate workers in Canada. Although many international students do plan to stay in Canada after graduation, many others make plans to return to their home countries, or move elsewhere in the world. There are still many ways the CanadaVisa Study Hub can help these students during their time in Canada, and beyond. For example, there are career development resources to help students who are working during and after their studies and customized updates on permit status and renewal.
Tell us more about the features of the Study Hub.
The current offering includes a wide range of tools and resources, such as personalized notifications, a status tracker, customizable news updates, a job search tool, and more. These tools can be used to create a tailored plan for immigrating to Canada permanently, based on each member’s own situation.
There’s even a Scholarship Contest, offered exclusively to Study Hub members, in which every month one lucky member can win $2,500.
All these features are offered free of charge, so that international students can take control of their future in Canada. We recognize that each international student in Canada is unique, with different backgrounds and objectives. With this in mind, I envision the Study Hub as a means for students to receive information that is pertinent to them individually. We’re continually looking for ways to improve the offerings of the Study Hub and plan to implement various new features as our community develops.
That sounds very helpful for international students here. What made you want to create the Study Hub program?
My goal in creating the Study Hub is to demystify the immigration process for international students. Moving to a new country can be equally challenging and inspiring—for international students, in particular, there are many exciting new opportunities that studying in Canada can bring, but there are also challenges. Keeping track of permits and staying in compliance, all while maintaining good grades and settling into a new country—it’s a lot to take on. We hope that the Study Hub can simplify the bureaucratic side of things so that international students can have some peace of mind and focus on what’s important: getting the most out of their studies in Canada and preparing for their future.
What makes Canada a great place to study for international students?
Where do I begin? World-class institutions and innovative study programs, a welcoming attitude toward newcomers, opportunities to work while studying, and immigrate after graduation—the list goes on. In fact, Canada may be unique in its successful combination of comparatively affordable tuition and living expenses, bilingual education system, and options for immigration after graduation. Add to that a government that supports higher education and backs its support with generous funding, and Canada starts to look like a pretty attractive option.
Most international students can work for any employer during their studies. Spouses and common-law partners can accompany an international student and get an open work permit themselves. Children of international students can attend school—at the primary and secondary levels—for free. Canada is at the forefront of research and development in many sectors, including hot-button issues like start-up technology, environmental energy, aviation, engineering, mining, to name but a few.
Three Canadian cities—Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver—were recently named among the best cities globally for student life, with Montreal taking first place. You don’t find that combination of factors, all of which are extremely important to those people considering studying abroad, in many countries. You could say Canada’s got the whole package!
What do you hope to achieve through the Study Hub?
My ultimate goal is to create a community of bright, talented individuals who are dedicated to getting the most out of their time in Canada. International students and graduates are uniquely talented—they’ve left their comfort zone to settle in a new country, a new culture. Often, they speak more than one language, and they’ve proven their academic prowess. Many of these individuals can pursue immigration and work options after graduation without the assistance of a lawyer. But sometimes, things may not go as expected. We want to be that safety net if international students and graduates encounter issues they can’t navigate on their own. We hope that the Study Hub will be their first resource for getting the information they need when they need it.
How can international students learn more about immigrating to Canada after studying?
The Study Hub offers a step-by-step outline of the processes involved to make the transition to permanent resident status. Our frequent updates inform members when immigration programs change or open, and we regularly publish the latest news on immigration matters. I would encourage any international student or post-graduate worker who is considering immigrating to Canada to remain proactive and research the options open to them. Many immigration programs can change, open, and close at short notice, and those who are best prepared have the best chances of success. I hope that the resources within the Study Hub can help these students seize their opportunity when it comes along.
International students and recent graduates on a Post-Graduation Work can join the Study Hub to access these features, and enter the CanadaVisa Scholarship Contest for a chance to win $2,500.
Individuals considering studying in Canada are invited to complete a free assessment to discover their options with the CanadaVisa Study Pathway Form.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)