Soaring Demand For STEM Professionals in Canada: Express Entry Targeted Occupations

Canada introduced Express Entry category-based draws in 2023, prioritizing STEM occupations among five priority categories. The demand for STEM professionals in Canada is high, with thousands of job openings expected in the coming years, making it an attractive destination for skilled individuals in these fields.

In 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced Express Entry category-based draws to prioritize certain occupational categories. These draws are designed to select immigrants based on their qualifications, such as education, work experience, and language skills, in order to address economic needs and priorities.

After extensive input from various stakeholders and the public, the federal government has identified five priority occupational categories facing labor market gaps. These categories are healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), transportation, trades, and agriculture/agri-food.

*It's crucial to understand that category-based draws differ from the standard Express Entry draws.

While standard draws primarily consider a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, category-based draws place a stronger emphasis on candidates with specific work experience in the prioritized occupational categories.

STEM as Targeted Category in Express Entry Draws

Due to several key factors, STEM was chosen as a targeted category for Express Entry. At the close of 2022, Statistics Canada released a report highlighting a notable skills gap in Canada's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) labor force which primarily emerged from the significant number of retirements and the ongoing evolution of technology and automation across various industries.

Canada's Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector is experiencing rapid growth, leading to a heightened demand for professionals in the technology field. In fact, Canada earned the fourth spot in the Global AI Index, demonstrating its strong global competitiveness in innovation, implementation, and investment in AI.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne - Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, emphasized Canada's ability to attract talent as one of its greatest strengths.

When the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) initially introduced the STEM-focused category-based draws, he stated that this approach would significantly benefit the science and technology sector. By attracting even more skilled individuals, these draws aim to support innovation and facilitate the growth of companies in STEM fields.

Minister Champagne also highlighted that Canada's unique combination of talent attraction and entrepreneurial innovation makes it the world's premier location for starting and scaling technology companies.

Also Read: IRCC Announces New Selection Categories for The Express Entry Candidates

Progressive Demand for STEM Professionals in Canada

Canada's demand for skilled STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) workers is substantiated by data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), which is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

This system offers insights into the employment outlook for various professions and forecasts the number of job opportunities expected between 2022 and 2031. These projections for some STEM professions are as follows:

These figures clearly indicate a substantial need for hundreds of thousands of skilled STEM professionals to meet the forthcoming job openings and address labor shortages in Canada.

What do These Stats State for STEM Aspirants Aiming for Canada?

Prospective immigrants to Canada in STEM fields have a notable opportunity. The 2022 Express Entry report showed that the top three occupations for invitation recipients were in technology, particularly software engineers, information system specialists, and computer developers. This highlights the demand for skilled STEM workers in Canada.

This trend indicates that skilled STEM professionals interested in immigrating to Canada may find avenues through category-based Express Entry draws tailored for STEM workers.

These individuals possess the qualifications and expertise needed to bridge labor market gaps and contribute to the growth of Canada's STEM sector. Moreover, they can look forward to building meaningful careers in Canada while supporting the country's economic development.

Embark on a Thriving STEM Career in Canada: Embrace the Opportunity

Canada has taken bold steps to combat its professional labor shortage through the introduction of category-specific Express Entry draws. This visionary initiative aims to attract and prioritize skilled STEM professionals, driving economic growth and technological advancement in the nation.

For passionate STEM professionals aspiring to immigrate, this is an extraordinary opportunity that can shape your future. Seize this moment by connecting with GetGIS, a trusted immigration consultancy. Our experts will guide you through the intricate application process, elevating your chances of achieving your dreams.

Don't let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers! Embrace the chance to embark on an inspiring new chapter in your career by scheduling a free consultation with GetGIS today.

“Your journey to success begins here”

Have Queries? Let's Sort it Out

Q1. What is the category-specific Express Entry draw introduced by Canada?

The category-specific Express Entry draw is a targeted immigration selection process aimed at attracting and prioritizing skilled professionals in specific fields, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations.

Q2. Who is eligible for the STEM category-based Express Entry draws?

Eligibility criteria may vary, but typically, individuals with qualifications and work experience in STEM fields, such as engineers, scientists, and IT professionals, are eligible for consideration in these draws.

Q3. Is Canada a favorable destination for STEM education and careers?

Canada is a highly regarded destination for STEM education and careers. Canadian universities are renowned worldwide for their exceptional quality of education and teaching methods. STEM courses in Canada are particularly esteemed, offering top-notch education and yielding groundbreaking research results.

Q4. How can I apply for the STEM category in Canada?

To apply for the STEM category in Canada, you need to ensure the following steps:

1. Check eligibility for one of the Express Entry programs (e.g., Federal Skilled Worker Program).
2. Accumulate a minimum of 6 months of continuous work experience in a listed STEM occupation within the past 3 years.

Q5. What is the required CRS score for the STEM category in Express Entry draws?

The required CRS score for the STEM category in Express Entry draw 254 was 486. This draw marked the first-ever category-specific draw for STEM occupations, and 500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates meeting this CRS score.