The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the economic integration of many immigrants. The Daily.
Using the 2021 Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), this report outlines how the first year of the pandemic slowed the socioeconomic progress that immigrants had made over the past decade. From 2016–2021, immigration contributed to 80% of the country’s labour force growth. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the gap was narrowing between recent immigrants…Read More
Canada leads the G7 for the most educated workforce, thanks to immigrants, young adults and a strong college sector, but is experiencing significant losses in apprenticeship certificate holders in key trades. The Daily. Government of Canada.
This report looks at the educational attainment of working age (25–64) Canadians and their related labour market outcomes based on the 2021 census. Compared to the 2016 census, the number of Canadians reporting college or university education increased by almost 20%. This trend did not hold true, however, for apprenticeship certification. Construction trades remained unchanged…Read More
Does taking short postsecondary programs or independent credits benefit recently displaced workers? Statistics Canada, Government of Canada.
Understanding the outcomes associated with varying worker responses to permanent layoffs are crucial for both displaced workers and policymakers in Canada. This study examines the effect on earnings of enrolling in or graduating from short, career-oriented programs or independent credits after a job loss. The findings suggest that those who completed a college or CEGEP…Read More
It’s Not as Easy as They Say: International Students’ Perspectives About Gaining Canadian Work Experience. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 21(2), 42–58.
Post-secondary institutions and Canadian immigration policy have become increasingly dependent on the growing number of international students attending Canadian schools. International students are often perceived as ideal candidates to fill the country’s labour shortages. However, many international students face challenges upon graduation when seeking work and deciding whether to stay in Canada or seek…Read More
The labour market of tomorrow: Projections from the Model of Occupations, Skills, and Technology (MOST).
The Conference Board of Canada has launched a new tool that includes detailed employment projections by occupation, industry and skill requirements for each region. During the pandemic, occupations requiring high school education, occupation-specific training or on-the-job training were the hardest hit in terms of job losses. Over the next decade, significant job gains are…Read More
The “Canadian Experience Disconnect” – Immigrant Selection, Economic Settlement and Hiring. Conference Board of Canada.
“Canadian experience” is a common phrase used by government, employers and community agencies, yet it lacks a clear and consistent definition. This report assesses the various forms of “Canadian experience” to find more clarity in the term. Research has shown that “Canadian experience” results in an array of benefits such as advanced language skills,…Read More
New Canadians Working amid a New Normal: Recent Immigrant Wage Penalties in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Public Policy.
Newcomers face significant barriers to labour market integration in Canada, which can result in earnings gaps when compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. Recent immigrants were more likely than Canadian-born workers to be unemployed and recent immigrant women were more likely to be out of the labour force altogether. Furthermore, studies have shown that the…Read More
CME 2022 Labour and Skills Survey. Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) released their annual labour survey that found that labour shortages over the past year have resulted in over $13 billion in economic losses. Over 500 respondents were represented across the country in various subsectors of the manufacturing sector from small businesses to large multinational corporations. Participants noted that over…Read More
Unmasking differences in women’s full-time employment. Insights on Canadian Society. Statistics Canada.
This report highlights trends for women’s full-time employment in Canada from 2007-2021, with a focus on Indigenous and immigrant women. The full-time employment rate for both groups appear to increase with age: In 2007, 53% of Indigenous women aged 25-29 were working full-time, which increased to 63% in 2021 when the same individuals were…Read More
Course correction: How international students can help solve Canada’s labour crisis. RBC Economics.
International students are a major part of Canada’s immigration strategy. They have become a vital resource for post-secondary institutions across the country since they account for nearly a third of tuition fees paid annually. With tightening labour markets and an aging workforce, international students are considered ideal candidates for permanent residency in Canada. Globally,…Read More