New Report Shows Canada's Skilled Immigrants Are Earning More & Getting Better Jobs

The labour market is built on what people are able to bring into it. Canada's skilled immigrants are an essential part of the equation, and a recent report shows that they are faring better than ever. Not only are they earning more, but they are also working in their preferred fields.

This is due to a new ranking system introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada called Express Entry (EE). It has better allowed the country to find skilled workers and get them meaningful employment. They are also able to earn more through improved job placement.

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What is Express Entry?

The Express Entry program launched in January 2015 and serves as an application management program for some of Canada's economic immigration categories.

These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

EE uses a point-based ranking system to identify workers who are likely to have higher earnings and perform well in the Canadian labour market.

The top-scorers are selected from the pool and given the opportunity to apply for permanent residency.

The program can also identify immigrants with specific skills needed in certain regions of the country, according to the Toronto Star.

How have skilled workers benefited?

A recent evaluation of EE showed promising results. Those who have applied through the program have reported better employment income and jobs in their fields of expertise.

According to the study, 95% of applicants have established themselves economically. They were earning roughly 20% more than those who did not apply through EE, and 83% said that they were working in their primary occupation.

On top of that, 43% of applicants were working in jobs that required a university education, compared to just 25% of those who did not go through the updated system.

What types of jobs do they have?

The majority of high-scoring skilled workers who applied for permanent residency through Express Entry reported that they had found jobs as software engineers and designers, as well as information systems analysts and consultants.

Respondents also said that they were working as post-secondary teachers, financial auditors, university professors, and computer programmers.

Through the Express Entry program, those who applied in the Federal Skilled Worker program also earn, on average, $61,700 a year (based on data from 2015 to 2016).

A majority of people who became permanent residents reported that their current job either met or exceeded their expectations.