 On March 16, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that the government of Canada is reviewing current immigration procedures to ensure that they continue to meet Canada's economic needs. The review is likely to result in a change in the Federal Skilled Worker programme, namely a change in the 38 occupations that are currently 'open' under this programme. The following occupations are in the current Federal Skills List:
1. 0111: Financial Managers
2. 0213: Computer and Information
3. 0311: Managers in Health care
4. 0631: Restaurant and Food Service Managers
5. 0632: Accommodation Service Managers
6. 0711: Construction Managers
7. 1111: Financial Auditors and Accountants
8. 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
9. 2143: Mining Engineers
10. 2144: Geological Engineers
11. 2145: Petroleum Engineers
12. 3111: Specialist Physicians
13. 3112: General Practitioners and Family Physicians
14. 3141: Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
15. 3143: Occupational Therapists
16. 3142: Physiotherapists
17. 3151: Head Nurses and Supervisors
18. 3152: Registered Nurses
19.3215: Medical Radiation Technologists
20. 3233: Licensed Practical Nurses
21. 4121: University Professors
22. 4131: College and Other Vocational Instructors
23. 6241: Chefs
24. 6242: Cooks
25.7213: Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
26.7215: Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
27. 7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
28.7241: Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
29. 7242: Industrial Electricians
30. 7251: Plumbers
31. 7252: Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
32. 7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators
33.7312: Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
34.7371: Crane Operators
35.7372: Drillers and Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
36.8221: Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
37.8222: Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
38.9212: Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities
When observing the above occupations, what one must understand is that the above occupations are only looked at in a broader perspective for the purpose of migration. Applicants often get disheartened that this list is confined to 38 occupations only. Before deciding that you are not eligible for migration to Canada, it is best that a competent consultant's advice is sorted out on your case.
In 2008, new instructions for processing Federal Skilled Worker applications were issued by the Immigration Minister with two goals in mind: to speed up application processing times and meet Canada's immediate economic needs.
Under those instructions, an application is eligible for processing if the applicant:
- Has at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of 38 qualifying occupations, which were identified as the most in-demand occupations in Canada at the time; or
- Has been living in Canada with legal status as a Temporary Foreign Worker or an international student for at least one year; or
- Qualifies for Arranged Employment with a full-time permanent job offer from a Canadian employer.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the instructions have reduced the backlog of Federal Skilled Worker applications that were in process by almost 40 per cent.
Presently, Kenney is consulting with federal and provincial government bodies to determine whether those 38 occupations are still highly in demand and whether new occupations need to be added to the list."The first set of instructions has had a significant impact, but our research shows it is time to revise them to make sure they continue to meet their goals," he said.
Any changes to the programme will be introduced according to sources in September. Given the amount of migrant visas granted for medical professionals, should the provincial governments decide the demand has been reasonably filled, there may be changes to add or delete some occupations in that field. It is not confirmed, although there is speculation that professions such as doctors, nurses and other closely related occupations shall be mostly affected by these changes. |
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