500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in STEM fields

Canada continues to be a welcoming country for immigrants. According to Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino, “Immigrants enrich Canada beyond measure, and no accounting of our progress over the last century and a half is complete without including the contributions of newcomers”.

The immigrant selection programs administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC] have continued to grow and innovate. A significant part of the growth has come through established programs under the Express Entry system – the Federal Skilled Worker Program [FSWP], the Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP], and the Canadian Experience Class [CEC]. Additionally, federal partnership with the different provinces in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP] have contributed in their own way.

IRCC has also continued with the introduction of innovative new programs that make it easier for newcomers to the country to make contributions in particular communities or industries across Canada. Such programs include the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot [AFP] and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot [RNIP].

Recently, with the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has set for itself one of the highest immigration targets in Canadian history. Despite the challenges thrown by 2020 in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada continues to focus on delivering the best possible services to foreign nationals headed towards Canada. An internationally recognized quality of life as well as post-secondary educational institutions attract talent from around the world. Talent that helps in building the economy of Canada, also contributing to the growth of the science and technology sector in the country. Canada needs immigrants. Many of them. With a low birth rate and an aging workforce, there is a significant gap in the workforce in Canada. Immigration is regarded to be one of the ways of dealing with this labour shortage. Immigrants can be found in Canada across the different sectors and industries.

As per Statistics Canada, immigrants account for 33% of all business owners in the country. Immigrants represent 24% of the national workforce in Canada. While there is a high demand for immigrants in the healthcare sector in Canada, around 20% of Sports Coaches in Canada are immigrants. The science and technology sector in Canada too has a significant share of immigrants. 500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] fields.
 

Percentage of immigrants in STEM occupations*
Chemists	54%
Software engineers and designers	51%
Physicists and astronomers	41%
Engineers	41%
Computer programmers	40%

*As per Statistics Canada, 2016 Census.  Tech companies in Canada have been hiring overseas talent despite COVID-19 special measures being in place since March 18. As per industry predictions, Canada’s tech sector holds the key to economic recovery in the post-pandemic scenario.


Key figures: Immigration matters in science and technology*
 

Nearly 500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in STEM fields

34% of individuals working in scientific research and development services across Canada are foreign-born

40% of computer programmers in Canada are immigrants

41% of engineers are immigrants

More than 50% of all chemists in Canada are immigrants

* Statistics Canada 2016 Census. If you are looking to Migrate, Study, Invest, Visit, or Work Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company. If you found this blog engaging, you may also like …

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