Gaining Canadian work experience, in Canada plays a role in the journey of immigrants. This experience not enhances their chances of obtaining residency but also helps them develop skills that align, with the needs of the Canadian job market.
Work Permits and LMIA:
Usually, people get approval to work in Canada by receiving a work permit, which permits them to live and work in the country on a temporary basis. Individuals ineligible for certain work permits may benefit from pursuing a work permit backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a government assessment to determine the impact of hiring a worker on the local job market. A favorable or neutral LMIA result helps the work permit application, but a negative outcome makes the position not eligible.
Jobs with High LMIA Approvals in 2023:
According to data from Canada’s open data portal, the following jobs received the most LMIAs in 2023:
- Transport Truck Drivers
- Home Support Workers
- General Farm Workers
- Machine Operators and Related Workers
- Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations
- Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers
- Software Engineers and Designers
- Cooks
- Industrial Butchers, Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers, and Fishmongers
- Administrative Assistants
These job categories align with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2016 codes, which were updated in 2021 to provide more specific categorizations of job roles.
NOC Code Updates:
For example, the 2016 NOC code for General Farm Workers (8431) was expanded into several more specific roles in 2021:
- Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators (NOC 84120)
- Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
- Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101)
Sector-wise Distribution:
Within the top 100 jobs receiving LMIA approvals, most positions fall within sectors such as administrative services, construction, farming, technology management, transport, logistics, and food services.
In total, more than 60,000 LMIAs were issued by the Canadian government to support foreign worker employment in 2023. These workers received their permits under different streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which caters to various types of employment based on job type, industry, responsibilities, and wages.
By focusing on obtaining LMIAs in high-demand job sectors like transportation and farming, newcomers can increase their chances of gaining valuable Canadian work experience and moving closer to permanent residency.
Utilizing LMIA Information for Newcomers
For arrivals seeking a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and open, to job options focusing on occupations, with a strong history of LMIAs could be advantageous strategically.
Newcomers should be aware that it is their employer’s responsibility to request the LMIA and handle all expenses. Employers must follow designated procedures. Meet the standards of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) when seeking an LMIA. This includes publicly advertising the job position for a specified period.
In March 2024, Canada introduced several changes to the TFWP and LMIA process, including adjustments to validity periods and workforce quotas.
