Canada has introduced a fresh avenue for immigration, targeting skilled carpenters, plumbers, and welders from Nigeria and other nations.
The Canadian government recently introduced a novel immigration route aimed at carpenters, plumbers, and welders from various countries, including Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Tuesday, the nation has introduced an efficient immigration pathway for adept professionals in carpentry, plumbing, and welding.
The statement emphasized that Canada’s Express Entry (EE) system has been customized to offer a more streamlined and effective approach for individuals with specialized skills in vital sectors.
The country intends to address the growing demand for skilled workers by prioritizing the entry of experienced newcomers in the trades. These professionals play a pivotal role in filling essential positions that contribute to Canada’s economic expansion and progress.
The statement affirmed that these selection rounds based on categories will be conducted throughout the year alongside general invitation rounds. Detailed information regarding these processes will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks.
Marc Miller, the Minister of IRCC, stressed the importance of addressing the shortage of skilled trades workers in the nation. He acknowledged that assisting the construction sector in locating and retaining the required workforce is part of the solution.
He expressed optimism about this round of category-based selection, recognizing the significance of skilled trades workers and eagerly anticipating their contribution to Canada’s development.
Earlier in May, Sean Fraser, the former IRCC Minister, introduced modifications to the Express Entry system through category-based selection. This new approach aims to welcome adept professionals with work experience in priority roles as permanent residents.
Canada’s Express Entry system is an online platform employed by the Canadian government to grant permanent residency to skilled laborers. It remains the primary framework for managing applications from skilled workers seeking Canadian immigration.
Numerous pathways exist for professionals and workers to qualify for Canadian permanent resident visas, according to legal experts at the First Immigration Law Firm in Canada.
“The most prominent route is through Express Entry, the primary avenue for economic class skilled workers. Meeting the prerequisites of the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class is the optimal way to qualify under this entry,” they affirmed.
Canada has been grappling with an aging population and declining birth rates, leading to a shrinking labor force. To counter this, the nation has been intensifying its efforts to attract sizeable, youthful, and dynamic immigrants by implementing immigration-friendly policies.
In the preceding year, the Canadian federal government unveiled an ambitious plan to welcome 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, targeting approximately 1.5 million new immigrants over the next three years.
According to the IRCC, the nation successfully welcomed 437,120 Permanent Residents in 2022, marking an almost eight percent surge from the preceding year’s figures.
For Nigeria, this number experienced a substantial growth of 41.9 percent, escalating from 15,595 in the previous year to 22,130 newcomers in the past year.