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Canada is one of the top spots in the world for job seekers who are setting their sights abroad.
The U.S., the U.K. and Canada are the world’s most popular country destinations for job seekers, a Boston Consulting Group global survey of more than 200,000 people released Sunday showed. Among cities, London is the most popular spot, while three Canadian in the top 25 list for most-sought after places are: Toronto (#8), Montreal (#21) and Vancouver (#23).
Bigger economies are one reason why job seekers opted for the top three, along with a largely English-speaking population at a time when English is the most frequently taught second language, the paper noted. Canada has particular appeal to workers who live in France, Mexico, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the U.K., according to the poll, which asked workers what motivates them and which countries they would consider moving to.
Canada is already reliant on immigrants as the key source of its labour force growth and that importance will only increase as the population ages, people retire and birth rates stay low. Over the next 15 years, the consulting group expects many countries will see labour surpluses turn into labour shortages, meaning countries – and employers – will need to compete more aggressively for skilled workers.
The study also looked at Canadian interest in working abroad. Its polled of 3,595 Canadians found that nearly half, or 43 per cent, of job seekers say they’d be willing to leave Canada for work, particularly workers in their twenties. A dearth of good job opportunities for young people is prompting many to set their sights abroad, it said. Canada’s youth labour market hasn’t much improved since the recession and with summer employment rates for students little changed since 2009.
The most common destination for all Canadian job seekers would like to move to, unsurprisingly, is the U.S. The next most-cited destinations are the U.K., France, Australia, Germany and Switzerland.
The poll also looked at what motivated people in the workplace. Money still matters, but other important job factors, for all people, is appreciation for their work, followed by good relationships with colleagues and healthy work-life balance.
Source: The Globe And Mail
