May 11, 2018 – Canada may be losing technology graduates to the lure of higher pay in the U.S., but it is also plugging the gap left behind with a highly-targeted skilled worker immigration system.
A combination of Express Entry and the Global Talent Stream means Canadian firms have access to the best foreign skilled worker talent through a fast and fluid system.
The two-week work permit processing of the GTS allows talent to be brought in quickly, and once skilled workers arrive, they can quickly qualify for permanent residence using Express Entry.
Never before has Canada’s immigration system been so heavily geared towards the country’s economic success. The message is clear to the best talent from all over the world: Canada wants you.
A major factor behind Canada’s switch to a destination for talent instead of a source in the political climate in the U.S., where Donald Trump is trying to crack down on the hiring of skilled workers from abroad.
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It means technology skilled workers in key source countries, such as India, are reconsidering their options and switching their focus to Canada.
A recent study showed Canada lost two thirds of recent software engineering graduates from its top universities to the U.S. in 2015 and 2016, lured by higher pay and apparently better prospects.
The study, entitled ‘Reversing the Brain Drain: Where is Canadian STEM Talent Going?’, looked at graduates from 2015 and 2016 in 22 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. It focused on graduates from the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and University of British Columbia.
It found overall that one of four graduates from these subjects – seen as central to economic growth – are working outside Canada. Leading the way were software engineering graduates at 66 per cent, followed by of computer engineering (30 per cent), computer science (30 per cent) and engineering science (27 per cent).
But the dates of the study are key, with some wholesale changes having taken place in Canada since 2016.
Canada’s Economic Immigration Levels Plan
2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
177,500 | 191,600 | 195,800 |
Source: Government of Canada
Express Entry is now in full swing after its 2015 launch, while the GTS has been a revelation for technology startups looking to grow.
The Liberal government is planning to welcome nearly a million new immigrants between 2018 and 2020, the vast majority of which will be in the skilled worker category.
Canada knows it has a brain drain challenge to overcome, and it is tackling it with one of the world’s most innovative immigration systems.
The global climate means this could be the beginning of a golden period of economic immigration in Canada.
Global Talent Stream
The GTS features two categories:
- Category A: For employers who have been referred by a designated organization (listed below).
- Category B: For employers seeking to hire skilled workers from a new Global Talent Occupations List (also below).
Employers looking to hire under the program must first identify when they qualify for Category A (referral) or Category B (Occupations List), before developing a Labour Markets Benefits Plan.
The plan must show how hiring the skilled worker will have a lasting, positive impact on the Canadian labour market.
All you need to know about hiring under the Global Talent Stream, including from Quebec, is below:
Key Elements of The Global Talent Stream
- Two-week standard for processing Canada work permit applications (and Canada visa applications when applicable) for highly skilled talent.
- Dedicated service for companies looking to make significant job-creating investments in Canada.
- Companies applying for workers through the Global Talent Stream will have access to the new streamlined application process that will provide:
- Client-focused service to help guide eligible employers through the application process and the development of the Labour Market Benefits Plan, with a service standard of 10 business days.
- Eligibility for workers to have their work permit applications processed in 10 business days.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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