The job market is very open to immigrants in this province but the province likes to select them to direct them towards jobs in demand.
WorkBC's 2023 “BC Labor Market Outlook” report forecasts nearly one million job openings across 64 industries and 512 occupations by 2033! A post-secondary level of education or training will be required for three-quarters of the positions for which the province is particularly focusing on young people aged 29 or under and immigrants.
The leading sectors in demand are: health and social services, professional, scientific and technical services, retail trade, education services, construction trades, accommodation and food services. The report also mentions professions with “high opportunities” for job offers and high-performance salaries, which includes nurses, senior managers, administrative agents, social workers, teachers at primary, preschool and secondary levels, engineers and computer designers. software, early childhood educators.
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Some sectors are seriously growing. British Columbia is, for example, a hotspot for innovation, with more than 11,000 technology companies, and cybersecurity.
Programme d’immigration provincial
The provincial government is emphasizing its own immigration program to attract skilled workers. This Colombian Nominee Program
British (PCCB or BCPNP, in English) is aimed at Canadian residents with temporary permits and opens the way to permanent residence. Last year, it enabled 8,200 immigrants to work or create businesses in the province, a figure which should rise to 10,000 in 2025. Currently, less than 10% of PCCB beneficiaries are French-speaking, but the province would like to welcome more. , especially if they settle elsewhere than in Greater Vancouver.
Currently, five priority sectors are identified: early childhood, construction, technology, veterinary services, healthcare
Julien Capraro, engagement specialist at the immigration programs department
“We have more requests than offers to benefit from this very selective program, However, notes Julien Capraro, commitment specialist in the immigration programs department, reporting to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Currently, five priority sectors are identified: early childhood, construction, technology, veterinary services, health care. In 2023, 30% of accepted candidates were in the technology sector, but the health sector also saw a meteoric rise in successful applications. “If you fall into these categories, you are more likely than others to be invited to apply to the PCCB”specifies Julien Capraro. Other selection criteria: have a full-time job offer; have the diplomas and experience for this job, have a good level of English. Additional points are awarded to French speakers and those applying for jobs in the region.
