Call us on 
English
French
Arabic
.svg "Blog read time"){kind=icon}
7 Min Read
Are you a skilled trade worker? Want to earn around $81,500 per year?
Canada urgently needs skilled trade professionals in almost every sector. Whether you work in construction, home maintenance, or manufacturing your trade will more than likely be in demand in at least one of Canada’s 13 provinces.
According to Statistics Canada, 54.7 thousand jobs were added to the Canadian economy job market in December 2021. This came after a record high of nearly 1 million jobs added in the fourth quarter of 2021, two-thirds of which fell in the five following sectors:
- accommodation and food services (+86,400; +112.8%),
- health care and social assistance (+52,100; +78.8%),
- construction (+34,300; +83.7%),
- retail trade (+32,400; +45.2%), and
- manufacturing (+31,200; +62.4%).
Canada is in the process of making big changes in two ways - development and its immigration system, which means that now could be the best time to start your job and visa application process. But before we look at how these changes may or may not affect your chances of success, let's see if your occupation is on the top skilled trade jobs in-demand in Canada in 2023 list.
Top 5 Sectors in Need of Trade Workers in 2023
1. Accommodation and Food Services
Top trade job vacancies: Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, chef & cooks, butchers
National job vacancies: 15,695
Provinces with the greatest demand: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta
Average provincial minimum wage: $15 - $15.20 per hour
The job vacancy rate in Canada’s accommodation and food services sector is about 7.8 percent and accounted for one-quarter (24.7%) of the overall job increase. This industry has the highest shortage of workers in Canada, most of which are in the restaurant industry. Other jobs that are in high demand that relate to this industry are:
- Food and beverage servers;
- Cleaners; and
- Sanitizing specialist.
2. Health Care and Social Assistance
Top trade job vacancies: Maintenance technicians, electricians, plumbers
National job vacancies: 4,540
Provinces with the greatest demand: Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia
Average provincial minimum wage: $11.81 - $15.20 per hour
Although this isn't the go-to sector that most trade workers would think of, the effects of the pandemic have had lasting effects on the healthcare industry. Hospitals and other medical facilities will rely heavily on maintenance trade workers to ensure that all equipment is running at optimal levels. Sanitization specialists will also remain in demand for years to come.
3. Construction
Top trade job vacancies: Construction trades helpers and labourers, Crane operators, Contractors and supervisors
National job vacancies: 2,716
Provinces with the greatest demand: Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia
Average provincial minimum wage: $11.81 - $15.20 per hour
Canada’s construction industry continues to grow and employment is expected to increase by 64,900 workers between 2020 and 2030. With almost 259,100 workers set to retire by 2030, Canada will be looking to skilled immigrants to help fill the growing labour gap.
4. Retail Trade
Top trade job vacancies: Transport truck drivers
National job vacancies: 8,690
Provinces with the greatest demand: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta
Average provincial minimum wage: $11.81 - $15.20 per hour
As the retail sectors begin to pick up again, especially online shopping websites, transportation is forecast to be in high demand for many years to come. In order for goods to arrive on time at retail outlets and stores, transport and delivery drivers will be greatly needed. But not only drivers will be in demand, but auto mechanics too.
5. Manufacturing
Top trade job vacancies: Welders, carpenters, millwrights, machine fitters
National job vacancies: 2,023
Provinces with the greatest demand: Ontario, Manitoba
Average provincial minimum wage: $11.95 - $15 per hour
Manufacturers in almost every sector will be in need of experienced and skilled trade workers, not only to ensure that orders are met but that machines used on assembly lines are operating efficiently. Trade workers in the construction, agriculture and automotive sectors will be in high demand almost everywhere in Canada.
Interested in finding out more about trade jobs that pay well? You may want to take a look at some of the highest-paying trade jobs in Canada per hour.
How to Immigrate to Canada in 2023 as a Trade Worker
1. Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canada's Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) is geared towards helping skilled and experienced trade workers find permanent residence in Canada. To be considered eligible to apply through this Express Entry Program, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- meet the required language abilities
- reading & writing - CLB/NCLC 4
- listening & speaking - CLB 5
- have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years
- meet the job requirements for your skilled trade
- have a
- valid job offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year, or
- certificate of qualification in your skilled trade from a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
Below are the qualifying trade jobs for the FSTP:
- Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
- Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Chefs and cooks
- Butchers and bakers
2. Provincial Nominee Programs
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to help fill specific labour needs of 11 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. To be eligible for a PNP, you would need to work and have experience in an in-demand trade in a particular province. Although it is not a must, having a red seal certification can not only help boost your chances of success in finding a job but your PNP application too. It shows that you meet national standards, which means you could work anywhere in Canada without needing a provincial certification.
To help you find the best province for your trade, we’ve highlighted three great PNPs for trade workers in 2023.
British Columbia PNP
For the BC PNP, you could either apply through the BC Express Entry Stream or the BC Skills Immigration Stream.
To qualify for the Express Entry stream you will need to have two years of experience and some sort of education or training related to your trade. You don’t need a job offer although having one could get you extra CRS points and increase your chances of being selected for a provincial nomination, which is worth an incredible 600 PR points!
The Skills Immigration stream is a bit more targeted to the tourism and hospitality, long haul trucking, and manufacturing sectors of BC. You will need a valid job offer in B.C. and at least 9 consecutive months of work experience related to your trade. The best part is that there is no age limit and your application could be processed in under 3 months!
| Top In-demand Trade Job Openings in B.C. | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Job Openings |
| Cooks | 11,490 |
| Automotive Service Technicians, Truck & Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers | 6,380 |
| Carpenters | 5,260 |
| Hairstylists and Barbers | 4,970 |
| Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers | 4,300 |
| Heavy Equipment Operators (except crane) | 3,330 |
| Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics | 3,010 |
| Welders and Related Machine Operators | 2,450 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 2,380 |
| Bakers | 2,270 |
Ontario PNP
The Ontario PNP has various streams for trades workers who want to immigrate to Canada in 2023. The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, which falls under the Human Capital category of the OINP, is perfect for those who have an Express Entry profile and don't necessarily have a job offer in the province. You could qualify for this stream in occupations like machine fitters, aircraft mechanics and inspectors, or contractor/supervisor, for example.
The Foreign Worker Stream is for highly-skilled trade workers that have at least two years of work experience and a valid job offer in the province. This is specifically for trades that are classified as skill level B like electricians, plumbers, butchers, and refrigeration AC mechanics, for example.
The In-Demand Skills Stream is for trade workers with a skill level classified at level C or D and has at least 9 months of experience working in the province. Trades like construction trade helpers and labourers, industrial butchers, and heavy equipment operators (except crane) may be eligible for this stream.
| Top In-demand Trade Job Openings in Ontario |
|---|
| Construction managers |
| Manufacturing managers |
| Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers Manufacturing (outside the GTA only) |
| Machine operators |
| Metalworking and forging machine operators |
| Heavy Equipment Operators (except crane) |
| Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers |
| Mechanical assemblers and inspectors |
| Industrial painters, coaters, and metal finishing process operators |
| Machining tool operators |
Alberta PNP
The Alberta PNP or AINP has two main ways to immigrate to Canada as a trade worker. Firstly, you could apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. If you meet the requirements of the FSTP as well as have experience in an occupation that is really needed in Alberta it's more than likely that your Express Entry profile will be selected in the next EE draw.
The second option is to apply through the Alberta Opportunity Stream. You’ll need at least 1 year’s work experience in Alberta that’s relevant to your trade as well as a valid job offer. There is no age limit for this program and you’ll only need a high school diploma or certificate as well as meet the necessary language requirements to qualify. You’ll also have to ensure that your occupation does not appear on the Alberta ineligible occupations list.
| Top In-demand Trades Job Openings |
|---|
| Retail and wholesale trade managers |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers |
| Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
| Chefs |
| Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers, and lathers |
| Labourers in food, beverage, and associated products processing |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| Construction estimators |
| Roofers and shinglers |
3. Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a great way to immigrate to Canada as a trade worker in 2023. This program replaces the previous pilot program, which is still open for applications for those with provincial endorsements up until March 5, 2023. New applicants will be able to submit their applications as of March 6, 2023, if they meet the following requirements:
- Have a high school certificate
- Have a valid job offer in one of the 4 Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island
- Meet language requirements (minimum CLB 4)
- Have enough settlement funds; and
- Have graduated from a publicly-funded learning institution in the Atlantic region (minimum 2-year program).
How Could My Visa Application Be Affected in 2023?
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have already announced that they'd be making changes to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Code. At this point, it's uncertain how these changes will affect future applicants. The NOC system is changing from a four to a five-skill level system. This means that a new category may be added and skillsets will be repositioned within the system. This could either mean that you may qualify for programs that you previously weren’t eligible for. But it could also mean that you may no longer be eligible for certain programs. The new system is planned to be implemented toward the end of 2023.
What does this mean for you? If you are a trade worker with at least 2 years of work experience, looking for trades jobs that pay well, now is the time to start the Canadian application process.
Ready to start your visa application?
