Canada has recorded an all time high in the number of job vacancies in the 3rd quarter of 2021. With the global economy recovering from unemployment caused due to Covid 19, Canada recorded 912,600 job vacancies in the third quarter of 2021, according to StatCan. Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia experienced the largest percentage increase of jobs in Canada with Saskatchewan accounting for the maximum job vacancies.

Explore: High paying jobs in Canada for international students

Between the third quarter of 2019 and 2021, job vacancies in Canada grew across 18 of the 20 major industrial sectors in Canada. The top 5 sectors accounting for 67.6% of the increase in job vacancies are accommodation and food services, social assistance and healthcare, construction, retail trade and manufacturing.

Covid 19 Restrictions for Jobs in Canada

Right after the ease in restrictions for Covid 19 surge in Canada, the concern over the increase in the new Omicron variant forced the government to impose new guidelines. Immunization is mandatory for the visitors in Canada in light of prioritizing health of the residents. The country has imposed restrictions on visitors from a few countries.

Check: Omicron travel guidelines of Canada

Skills for Jobs in Canada

The employers in Canada focused on a number of factors while choosing suitable candidates to fulfill the job requirements.

  • Active listening and critical thinking are the two most significant skill sets prioritized by employers in Canada. Active listening was appreciated for nearly 84% of vacant positions, while critical thinking was admitted by 69%.
  • Speaking, reading comprehension, social perceptiveness, and time management are some of the in demand skills for the recent job vacancies in Canada.
  • According to the national occupation classification, 226 occupations among 495 listed professions require at least 1 technical skill.
  • However, 40 occupations required no technical skills and 5 or fewer non-technical skills.
  • Job vacancies in Canada increased by 73.7% to 234,600 in the last 2 years in occupations like food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, construction trade helpers and labourers, and light-duty cleaners.

Jobs in Canada Trends

Within the last 2 years, job vacancies in Canada increased more in low-wage occupations than high-wage jobs. However, the rapid increase in job vacancies indirectly resulted in unmet labour demand pressurizing on high wage requirements.

  • The Consumer Price Index has increased by 4.3% between 2019 and 2021, which has been exceeded by the average offered salary. This reflects the sufficiency of finances in the hands of the working professionals in Canada.
  • The average offered salary increased by 9.7% for 155 of 373 occupations listed by NOC (wages available for both quarters).
  • In the healthcare and social assistance sector, the average salary increased by 4.9% in the last 2 years.
  • The health service assisting occupations accounted for 62.7% of rising job vacancies in Canada across the healthcare and social assistance sector.

Also check: Part-time jobs in Canada

Upcoming Job Vacancies in Canada

Since the beginning of the 4th quarter of 2021, the Labour Force Survey has observed improving conditions of the labour market.

  • The total employment in Canada increased by 185,000 (+1%) in November and December 2021.
  • The unemployment rate in Canada also fell to 6% by December 2021. It was within 0.3% of its pre-covid 19 records of 5.7% in February 2020.
  • As the vacancies for low-wage occupations increased in the last 2 years, it would be good for new graduate students to choose an average-paying job around their desired field at this moment.
  • Instead of waiting for a highly secure, lucrative salary offering position for fresher graduates, working on a demanding role and climbing up the corporate ladder would be a better option.

Altogether, the Canadian market tends to create more job vacancies in 2022 and in the upcoming future. At this moment, the key elements required to secure jobs in Canada are a set of skills and language proficiency. International students planning to study in Canada will get innumerable options to choose from, after graduating from the top universities in Canada.