Employers are looking to hire in Nova Scotia as population growth and capital spending plans in the Atlantic Canadian province signal strong economic growth for this year, reports TD Economics.
“Hiring is off to a solid start in 2024, underpinned by firm population growth and a still-elevated level of vacant positions,” notes the bank’s economic research department.
“The recently released capital spending intentions survey points to a 16 per cent gain in investment this year supported by an expected surge in machinery and equipment expenditures in the public sector.”
With the American economy also expected to grow more than previously expected and Nova Scotia’s provincial government budget indicating more spending, TD Economics is forecasting real GDP growth of 1.5 per cent and employment growth of 3.7 per cent in that province this year.
Through Canada’s two-tier immigration system, foreign nationals can gain their permanent residency through the federal Express Entry system’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as well as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) of the 10 Canadian provinces.
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The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program expedites immigration to Canada for individuals and their families who meet provincial criteria in support of four initiatives: increased business and economic development, an increased supply of skilled workers, increased population and achievement of provincial demographic, social and cultural objectives.
The province welcomes immigrants through three streams:
1. Nova Scotia Express Entry.
2. Nova Scotia Labour Impact.
3. Nova Scotia Business Impact.
Nova Scotia also welcomes immigrants through the joint federal-provincial Atlantic Immigration Program.
And with the province’s booming economy, there are many opportunities for economic immigration to Nova Scotia for foreign nationals eyeing permanent residency in Canada.
Here are the Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs in Nova Scotia this year that foreign nationals should consider when applying under those programs.
1. Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing.
The shortage of registered nurses is being felt across Canada.
“For registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 155,400, while 143,700 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank, the federal government’s job-hunting and career-planning website.
In early June, there were 380 job listings for nurses in Nova Scotia on the Indeed.ca job website. Job Bank gives five stars, its highest rating, to the job prospects for registered nurses in that province.
This occupation comes with a median annual wage of $78,000 in Nova Scotia based on a 37.5-hour work week, according to Job Bank.
2. Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 73300)
Truckers drive straight trucks or tractor-trailers to transport freight over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They usually work for transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, but some are self-employed.
“Whether you have the credentials to operate large commercial vehicles or the detail-oriented nature required for local deliveries, chances are you can find an open position to match,” notes Randstad.
Truck drivers in this province earn a median annual wage of $41,4896 based on a standard work week, according to Job Bank and there were 664 job listings for drivers in Nova Scotia in early June.
3. Retail Sales Managers (NOC 60020)
The shortage of retail sales managers is only projected to grow in Canada over the next few years.
“For retail and wholesale trade managers, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 117,700, while 99,000 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
In early June, Indeed.ca had 1,357 job listings for sales managers in Nova Scotia. According to Job Bank, these jobs come with median annual earnings of $62,380 based on a standard work week.
4. Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401)
The shortage of equipment mechanics across Canada is forecast to grow by an additional 2,200 positions over the next seven years.
“For heavy-duty equipment mechanics, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 25,000, while 22,800 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
These are the people who repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain heavy-duty mobile equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing and farming.
In Nova Scotia, heavy equipment mechanics earn an annual median income of $58,500 based on Job Bank data for a 37.5-hour work week.
In early June, Indeed had 783 job listings for heavy equipment mechanics in Prince Edward Island.
5. Heavy Equipment Operators (NOC 73400)
Those workers who operate the heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures, in surface mining and quarrying activities, and in material handling work are in hot demand.
Indeed.ca listed 1,127 jobs for heavy equipment operators in Nova Scotia in early June and Job Bank shows these workers earn a median annual income of $44,869 based on a standard work week in that province.
“For heavy equipment operators(except crane), over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 31,200, while 30,300 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
Heavy equipment operators are typically employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies.
6. Software Developers (NOC 21232)
As the people who write, modify, integrate and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software and communications software, software developers are in hot demand.
“This is one of the top jobs in part because businesses of all types and sizes need developers to create app solutions, develop or maintain in-house software or help implement cloud or other technologies,” notes Randstad.
“One of the lessons learned during COVID-19 lockdowns in recent years was that technology could make or break a business. Companies that seamlessly transitioned into remote work environments often fared better. Add to that the growing need to rely on data and automations to remain competitive, and it’s no wonder so many businesses are on the hunt for skilled developers.”
In Nova Scotia, software developers earn a median annual wage of $74,997 based on a standard, 37.5-hour work week, Job Bank reveals. The Indeed job website had 146 job listings for software experts in that province in early June.
7. Physicians – Family (NOC 31102) and Specialists (31101)
General practitioners and family physicians diagnose and treat diseases, physiological disorders and injuries. In Nova Scotia, they make a median annual salary of $199,325.
The need for these medical practitioners is growing across the country.
“For general practitioners and family physicians, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 48,900, while 29,400 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
Specialists, a category that includes surgeons, diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders and act as consultants to other physicians. There were 239 job listings for surgeons in Nova Scotia in early June on the Indeed website and the median annual salary for a surgeon there is $398,206.
8. Accountants (NOC 11100)
Accountants plan, organize and administer the accounting systems that keep track of that money for businesses, individuals and governments.
“For financial auditors and accountants, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 88,000, while 79,800 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
In early June, Indeed had 92 job listings for accountants in Nova Scotia where the median annual income for these professionals was $70,317 based on Job Bank data for a standard, 37.5-hour work week.
9. Construction Trades Helper (NOC 75110)
There is a huge pent-up demand for workers in the construction trades in Nova Scotia as the economy there expands.
“For trades helpers and labourers, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 19,600, while 17,900 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
These are the people who work at construction sites, in quarries and in surface mines, usually for construction companies, trade and labour contractors, and surface mine and quarry operators.
In early June, Indeed.ca had 1,808 job listings for those wanting to work as helpers in the construction trades in Nova Scotia where Job Bank indicates they earn a median annual income of $37,050 based on a standard work week.
10. Cooks (NOC 63200) and Food and Beverage Servers (NOC 65200)
Restaurateurs in Nova Scotia are hurting badly for cooks and servers as the hospitality sector faces a labour shortage.
Indeed listed 423 jobs for cooks and 341 for servers in Nova Scotia in early June as the summer tourism season got underway.
The median annual income for a cook or server in Nova Scotia’s hospitality sector, based on a 37.5-hour work week, is $29,640 – but that doesn’t include tips.
