Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, aligning with the country’s labour market needs.
For 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the list of targeted occupations for category-based Express Entry draws.
These draws aim to attract skilled professionals in high-demand fields such as healthcare, STEM, trades, education, and agriculture.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 79 occupations selected for 2025, highlighting changes from the 2024 list. By analyzing job additions and removals, we explore shifting trends in Canada’s skilled worker immigration strategy and what it means for applicants.
On This Page You Will Find:
- The full list of 79 targeted occupations for 2025
- A comparison of 2025 and 2024 targeted jobs
- Key trends and insights on additions and removals
- How these changes impact skilled workers
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Full List of 79 Jobs Targeted in Express Entry Draws for 2025
Healthcare and Social Services
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
- Audiologists and speech language pathologists (31112)
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
- Chiropractors (31201)
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
- Dentists (31110)
- Dieticians and nutritionists (31121)
- General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Massage therapists (32201)
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
- Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
- Medical radiation technologists (32121)
- Medical sonographers (32122)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Nurse practitioners (31302)
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)
- Occupational therapists (31203)
- Optometrists (31111)
- Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (31209)
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
- Paramedical occupations (32102)
- Pharmacists (31120)
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
- Pharmacy technicians (32124)
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (31303)
- Physiotherapists (31202)
- Psychologists (31200)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
- Social workers (41300)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
- Specialists in surgery (31101)
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
- Veterinarians (31103)
STEM
- Architecture and science managers (20011)
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians (22300)
- Civil engineers (21300)
- Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
- Electrical and electronics engineers (21310)
- Geological engineers (21331)
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321)
- Insurance agents and brokers (63100)
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
- Mechanical engineers (21301)
Trades
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (82021)
- Floor covering installers (73113)
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (73112)
- Roofers and shinglers (73110)
- Concrete finishers (73100)
- Other technical trades and related occupations (72999)
- Water well drillers (72501)
- Electrical mechanics (72422)
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (72402)
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401)
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
- Bricklayers (72320)
- Cabinetmakers (72311)
- Carpenters (72310)
- Gas fitters (72302)
- Plumbers (72300)
- Industrial electricians (72201)
- Electricians (except industrial and power system) (72200)
- Welders and related machine operators (72106)
- Sheet metal workers (72102)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
- Home building and renovation managers (70011)
- Construction managers (70010)
- Cooks (63200)
- Construction estimators (22303)
Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Butchers – retail and wholesale (63201)
Education
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100)
- Instructors of persons with disabilities (42203)
- Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (41221)
- Secondary school teachers (41220)
Key Trends and Insights
Expansion in Healthcare and Social Services
The 2025 Express Entry targeted occupations list has expanded its focus on healthcare, reflecting Canada’s ongoing need for skilled medical professionals. The addition of social and community service workers underscores the country’s demand for mental health and social welfare support.
Shift in STEM and Tech Jobs
Notably, Canada has removed many IT and tech-related jobs, such as software developers, computer engineers, and data scientists. This suggests a potential shift towards recruiting these professionals through different immigration pathways or employer-driven programs.
Reduction in Transport and Agriculture Sectors
Unlike 2024, where truck drivers and air pilots were prioritized, the 2025 list excludes most transport-related occupations. Similarly, agricultural service contractors were removed, indicating a changing approach in labour market priorities.
Trades Remain Strong
The demand for skilled trades remains high, with construction-related jobs and electricians still being prioritized. This aligns with Canada’s infrastructure growth and ongoing housing needs.
FAQ
1. What is the Express Entry occupation-specific draw?
The Express Entry occupation-specific draw targets skilled workers in high-demand fields. These draws prioritize candidates with experience in specific jobs.
2. What new occupations were added in 2025?
New occupations include social and community service workers, insurance agents, veterinary technicians, and cardiology technologists, among others.
3. What jobs were removed from the Express Entry list in 2025?
Several transport and tech jobs, such as software developers and air traffic controllers, were removed from the targeted list this year.
4. How do these changes impact skilled workers?
If your occupation is removed, you may still apply through general Express Entry draws. If added, you may have a higher chance of selection.
