Canada is anticipating a surge in job opportunities for nursing co-ordinators and supervisors over the next seven years, creating a promising landscape for qualified foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through Express Entry system draws tailored to specific occupations.
Job Outlook
The Job Bank job-hunting and career-planning website forecasts a total of 23,100 new job openings for nursing co-ordinators and supervisors from 2022 to 2031. This demand stems from both expansion and replacement needs in the workforce. Despite an estimated 21,800 new job seekers, including school leavers and immigrants, there is an expected labor shortage, a trend that has persisted in recent years.
Demographic Shifts and Healthcare Demand
The driving force behind the increased demand for nursing co-ordinators and supervisors is the aging population, particularly the Baby Boomers. As the Canadian population ages, there is a projected uptick in the demand for health services, subsequently requiring more healthcare professionals. Commitments by certain provinces to reduce wait times in emergency rooms and medical treatments contribute further to the growing need for workers in this occupation.
Express Entry System Changes
To address labor shortages, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) modified the Express Entry system. This alteration enables the system to target 82 specific occupations, including nursing co-ordinators and supervisors. Previously, Express Entry draws were program-focused, and the inclusion of occupation-specific draws opens up new immigration pathways for eligible candidates.
Then-Immigration Minister Sean Fraser highlighted the changes as a response to chronic labor shortages across the country. The modifications aim to provide skilled workers to support business growth, boost the economy, and increase French-proficient candidates to enhance French-speaking communities.
Current Job Landscape
As of mid-October, Indeed.ca, a prominent job-hunting website, listed 378 jobs for nursing co-ordinators and supervisors across Canada. Job Bank, in its assessment, projects excellent job prospects for these professionals nationwide, except for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where prospects are considered good.
Salary Expectations
The median hourly wage for nursing co-ordinators and supervisors falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 31300 and is estimated at $43.06. However, the wage range can vary from $25 to $54. With a standard 37.5-hour work week, individuals in this occupation can earn up to $105,300 per year.
Express Entry Eligibility
Candidates aspiring to Immigrate through Express Entry occupation-targeted draws need a minimum of six months of continuous work experience in Canada or abroad within the past three years in nursing co-ordination or supervision. This experience can be gained as temporary foreign workers with work permits or as international students with student visas.
Provincial Initiatives
Provinces have been conducting occupation-specific draws for several years, aligning their immigration strategies with labor market needs. The recent changes make Express Entry streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker program, Federal Skilled Trades program, and Canadian Experience Class, more responsive to these needs.
Looking Ahead
As Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) notes a doubling of occupations facing shortages between 2019 and 2021, the future of immigration to Canada, especially for high-skilled professionals like nursing co-ordinators and supervisors, holds significant promise. The evolving landscape reflects the government’s commitment to addressing labor market demands while offering immigrants opportunities for growth and contribution to the Canadian economy.