Permanent Residence Class Proposed for Semi-Skilled Workers

Dreaming of a better life in today’s ever-changing world often leads people to seek opportunities beyond their home country. For many, Canada stands out as a land of promise, offering a higher standard of living, improved health care, and excellent educational opportunities. But what about the semi-skilled? Another proposal aims to permanently retain semi-skilled workers, which could be a game-changer for many individuals and families. Let’s understand what this means and how it could affect you or someone you know.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have offered an amendment to the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA) that would create a new permanent economic immigration class for workers with knowledge and training that falls under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 4 and 5.

The department says the approach “will support the modernization of the economic migration process by expanding the permanent resident selection process to include candidates with a wider range of skills and experience. ”

According to the IRCC, ministerial guides will provide more information on the new section, and some of the routes will be published in the Canada Gazette this fall.

Canada’s TEER system

Canada’s TEER framework, introduced in 2022 as an update to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) framework, classifies jobs as “TEERs,” replacing the “skill levels” used in the NOC 2016

TEERs 0-3 address jobs that typically require post-secondary courses or courses of a certain length. TEER 4 and 5 include occupations requiring only high school education, on-the-job training, or no formal education for TEER 5 but some temporary employment.

Currently, TEERs 4 and 5 are not typically eligible for federal economic immigration programs such as those handled by Express Entry. This means that newcomers who come to Canada to work in one of those fields often face more difficulties becoming permanent residents and add to Canada’s number of temporary residents.

Many newcomers to Canada arrive as temporary residents, and due to the current labor market, some find themselves in what Statistics Canada defines as “low-skilled” appointments. The study released earlier this year, Statistics Canada said “there has been a shift in the employment of temporary foreign workers (TWFs) and international students toward low-skilled industrial sectors. These include the accommodation and food services and retail trade sectors.”

The study showed that these shifts could lead to a higher ratio of low-skilled TFWs among new immigrants. Thus, TFWs and international students face low earnings and slow wage growth, slowing their integration into Canada’s economy.

Temporary resident levels

Creating new permanent resident pathways for TEER 4 and 5 newcomers presents IRCC’s effort to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. Earlier this year, the IRCC department announced its plan to stabilize these numbers, which peaked at over 2 million in 2023.

The department said that these levels were unsustainable for Canada’s economy. Immigration Minister Marc Miller remarked that Canada has recovered 138% of the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Traditionally, temporary residents such as workers, students, and visitors have not been capped. However, IRCC reversed this policy this year and presented a hard cap on the number of international student applications it will process. Temporary resident levels will also be counted in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, expected by November 1.

Another strategy to control the number of temporary residents is increasing the number of “domestic draws,” focusing on converting temporary residents already in Canada into permanent residents before bringing in more foreign nationals from abroad.

There has recently been an increase in Express Entry draws for candidates with provincial nominations and those in the Canadian Experience Class, who generally live and work in Canada as temporary residents. In July alone, IRCC issued 14,575 invitations to apply to these prospects.

How Idea Immigration Can Help

Immigration consultant in Surrey-BC Idea Immigration is here to guide you through every step of the process. Our team of experts will help you understand the eligibility criteria, gather the necessary documentation, and submit a strong application. We are committed to assisting semi-skilled workers in achieving their dreams of permanent residence.

Conclusion

The proposed permanent residence class for semi-skilled workers is a significant step forward in acknowledging and rewarding the contributions of these essential workers. By providing a clear path to permanent residence, this proposal offers stability, security, and numerous benefits to individuals and the economy. Understanding and engaging with this proposal can lead to a brighter future Whether you’re a semi-skilled worker or an employer.

FAQs

1. Who qualifies as a semi-skilled worker?

A semi-skilled worker is typically someone employed in a job that requires some training or experience but not a college degree. Examples include truck drivers, factory workers, and hospitality staff.

2. What are the benefits of this new permanent residence class?

The benefits include stability and security, access to services like healthcare and education, and greater economic mobility for workers and their families.

3. How can employers support their workers in this process?

Employers can support their workers by providing necessary documentation, demonstrating the worker’s value, and creating a positive workplace environment.

4. What is the role of an immigration consultant in this process?

An immigration consultant can help you understand eligibility criteria, gather the required documents, and submit a strong application. Idea immigration consultant provides guidance and support throughout the procedure.

5. What challenges might applicants face?

Applicants might face challenges such as proving continuous employment, meeting language proficiency levels, and navigating the complex application process. Planning and support are essential to overcoming these hurdles.