Careers That Don't Require College in Canada

No Degree? No problem! Canada has a wide variety of job opportunities, as well as occupations that don’t require you to go to college. While it is an added bonus in boosting your salary, there are ways and means of getting by just fine without one. Here are 15 careers that don't require college in Canada.

Occupations Without College as a Requirement

Here are some jobs in Canada that don’t require any form of tertiary education.

1. Farm workers

(NOC code: 8431)

If you would like to work in Canada, this is a simple route to take. Canada has one of the largest agricultural sectors in the world. A huge part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from this sector. Most produce harvested consists of grains and oilseeds, livestock, dairy, horticulture as well as poultry and eggs. There are currently over eight Canadian provinces out of 10 that desperately need farmworkers. The beauty of this job is that you need no qualifications for it, only some experience and a work visa. Provinces that are currently in need of farm workers are: Alberta, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

2. Firefighter

(NOC code: 4312)

This is one of many amazing jobs in Canada. The requirements are a high school diploma, as well as a certification in first aid and CPR. You should also have a clear criminal history, an excellent grasp of the English language, and great communication skills. The shifts often rotate even though they are a bit longer than normal working hours. This means that you’ll get some weekends and weekdays all to yourself. A firefighter's salary can range between $38,388 - $100,688 a year.

3. Construction Manager

(NOC code: 0711)

Some companies require a degree for this type of job but many prefer on-site experience. This means if you have relative working experience you stand a good chance of becoming a construction worker to make sure everything is on the up and up on the operations level of a construction project.

4. Sommelier

(NOC code: 6513)

A sommelier can work without certificates and in some cases, they are required to travel to various vineyards to sample wine. A master sommelier works at upscale restaurants and they are responsible for the wine collection. This means they are in charge of monitoring the state of the wine cellar, and assisting chefs with conducting proper pairings. Can you imagine a better way to work in Canada? The salary can range from $29,307 - $68,956 annually.

5. Library Assistant

(NOC code: 1451)

If you don’t have a degree, this is one of many jobs in Canada that is a decent paying job for an entry-level position. It will require you to issue, receive, sort, and re-shelve books, periodicals and other material along with updating electronic files. If you consider getting a related degree somewhere in the near future, you can boost your salary when you become a full-fledged librarian.The salary ranges from $13.50 - $19.50 an hour.

6. Railway yard and track maintenance

(NOC code: 7531)

If you’ve ever been fascinated with trains as a kid, here’s your chance to chase your childhood dream. You’ll need experience with railways as well as a certificate or two from the railway industry in Canada that will prove you have the knowledge and experience to manage and maintain a railway yard. The average wage is about $23.25 per hour.

7. Chain saw and Skidder operators

(NOC code: 2011 - 8421)

Requirements for this job are: a first-aid certificate, high school education and on occasion you may need certification or other workplace training – including Workplace Hazardous Material Information System Training (WHMIS).

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8. Welder

(NOC code: 7237)

Out of all the careers that don't require college in Canada, this one has one of the highest pay rates. You will need a high school diploma and certification if the company calls for it. Because jobs in this field are in short supply, this job has one of the highest paying rates in Canada. This occupation is high in demand in Western Canada or the Territories.

9. School Bus Driver

(NOC code: 7512)

The requirements for this job are different in each province, for instance: in Ontario, the MTO (provincial ministry of transport) requires you to take a School Bus Driver Improvement Course (SBDIC) that includes everything from licensing and legislative aspects to driver fatigue and strategic driving techniques. The minimum time is 6.5 hours. This will only take up to a week.

10. Trucker

(NOC code: 7511)

Trucking contributes about 35 percent to Canada’s GDP. Truckers are in high demand because of Canada's major industries that need their goods courier to their desired destinations. According to statistics, there are about 302,000 truck drivers that are currently employed in Canada, and even with this number there is still a shortage of truck drivers.

11. Air Traffic Controller

(NOC code: 2272)

The basic requirements needed are a high school diploma, completion of a Canada training program, a basic radiotelephone operator's license, and an air traffic controller's license. It’s considered to be a really stressful job, but the bonuses and amazing benefits make it quite tempting. This sounds like a great work in Canada.

12. Longshore Worker

(NOC code: 8411)

This is one of the best jobs to consider in terms of requirements and pay. You only need high school and some on-the-job training in the majority of the cases. This job requires you to unload and load cargo, check if everything runs smoothly and fix problems if it doesn’t. Sometimes the job will require you to operate cranes and equipment. The average salary ranges from $27.00 to $45.00 an hour.

13. Massage therapist

(NOC code: 3236)

You need to complete an 18 to 36 month massage therapy training program where you receive in-class and supervised practical training. Massage therapists help their clients by massaging their soft tissue or muscles. Their main objective is to help clients relax, by creating a welcoming, peaceful environment. There are specific types of massages that clients request as well. The national average salary for this occupation is $51.96 per hour.

14. Fish Plant Workers

(NOC code: 9463)

Canada is known to have the longest coastline in the world, so it’s no surprise that the fishing industry is booming. More than 50 percent of the aquaculture market is located in Atlantic Canada. Provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island require employees to fill gaps in this sector.

15. Land Surveyor

(NOC code: 2254)

If you’re starting out as a land surveyor, the salary is pretty decent, but it will definitely grow with experience. You only need a high school diploma, but once you get your professional license, you can get an average of about $65K annually. The salary starts out at $38,075 to $108,568.

FAQS

Do I need a job offer to enter Canada?

According to the Canadian government you don’t need one in most cases. But, you will need one if you are eligible for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program and don’t have enough money to support yourself and your family when you live in Canada.

Can I apply for a Canadian open work permit without a job offer?

Yes, you can. You can apply for an open work permit without having a job offer. Because it’s not job-specific, you’re not required to meet some of the same requirements as individuals with other work permits.

How long will it take to get a work permit in Canada?

Canadian work permits are usually processed between 1-9 months. The processing time starts on the day that the IRCC receives your complete application and ends when they make a decision.

Careers that don't require college in Canada sounds like a great way to kickstart your future. If you choose to embark on this journey, you don’t have to worry about struggling on your own, let one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) guide you every step of the way.

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