IMMIGRANTS BOOST WORKFORCE QUALITY BUT REMAIN UNDERUTILIZED

As per a report released by Statistics Canada 57% of the workforce, between the age of 25 and 64 years, holds a college/university credential or higher education. This is highest as compared to the other G7 countries (the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan). Canada has been outpacing the other G7 countries in this regards since 2006. Though one of the primary factors behind this is the robust and internationally accredited post-secondary education system of the nation, another major driving factor in this accomplishment is the contribution of new immigrants and non-permanent residents. They accounted for more than 50% increase in the educated and qualified labour force of the country from 2016 to 2021.

Following was the contribution share ​EDUCATION LEVEL​ CONTRIBUTION

As a matter of fact, with 620,000 international students present in Canada in 2021, the nation remains one of the most sought after choice for this category, as compared to other G7 nations. International students being the primary source of skilled workforce after graduation must be given significant attention. Though Canada has bought in several programs to make it easier for international students to enter the country, but there is something which is going extremely wrong. This is called, Underutilization.

The skilled and knowledgeable immigrants who possess foreign educational qualifications are working at positions which require way less educational know-how. More than 25% of immigrants are actually not utilizing their expertise and abilities to the optimum level since they are not being given that opportunity. These highly talented and educated immigrants are not being accredited as they should be as been seen since 2006 census.

The issue has now been highlighted in the wake of job vacancies breaking records, numerous sectors facing labour shortages and increasing number of people getting retired. While the country desperately needs skilled workforce, it is not optimally using the existing talent to bridge the gaps in labour market, even in high demand and critical sectors, like healthcare. To alleviate this concern, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has allocated more than $90 million for projects aimed at not only putting in place accreditation process for foreign medical professionals, but also ensuring that they easily work and gain on-the-job experience in Canada.