Every year there are trends to show the fastest-growing jobs in Canada. If you are looking to find a job in Canada in 2021, it’s essential to know Canada’s fastest-growing jobs in 2021.
Given Canada’s aged demographics, immigrants will play an important role in filling the labour shortage. New immigrants are usually curious about high demand jobs in Canada to ensure they find high paying secure jobs while living in the country. Fortunately, the jobs in demand in Canada in 2021 come with high salaries
The labour market has recovered about 80% of the jobs lost with the country-wide shut down in March. Despite the effects of the pandemic on the Canadian labour markets, there have been job gains in industries including:
- Retail trade
- Transportation and Warehousing
- Finance
- Insurance
- Real estate, rental and leasing.
Now that we know the fastest growing industries in job growth, let’s delve into the fastest-growing jobs.
1. Software Engineer or Developer
When talking about the fastest-growing jobs in Canada in 2021, Software engineering or developer is at the very top. In Canada, the tech sector is the fastest growing industry. Most companies hire software engineers and developers. The skills in most demand are full stack developers who have both front-end and back-end programming skills. In Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, many tech companies are opening satellite offices.
Career transitions and industry development drive the growth in developer jobs. People currently holding these roles would be moving into higher-level engineering positions, sales and management. There will also be new jobs that will require these positions as the telecommunications, mobile technology and computer sector would continue to grow.
The evolution of the equipment and machinery manufacturing industry would increase the demand for Canadian software engineers so people with relevant degrees can find an opportunity in these industries and work on developing and designing software systems and applications.
2. Data Analysts
One of the fastest-growing jobs Canada is Data Analysts or Data Scientist. According to job bank Canada, there will be a shortage in the next ten years of almost 3000 openings. Data Analysts and other data roles will account for about 50% of all postings. Data Analysts are in high demand in service industries such as
- Computer systems design,
- Finance
- Insurance
- Real estate
- Telecommunication
- Information and culture services; and
- Public Administration.
New immigrants should look into Master of Data Analytics programs across Canada to prepare them for a career in Data and Business Analytics.
3. Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy Assistants
People in the elderly Canadian population live longer lives, and most of them want to remain healthy as long as they are alive. Occupational and Physiotherapy assistants help them achieve their goals, which is why the job position is now one of the high demand jobs in Canada.
Hospitals nationwide have started using outpatient care models to free up bed spaces, and they now often offer physiotherapy services to help sustain this model.
Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, and their assistants help people live with diseases, manage mild mental conditions, physical conditions, movement, and issues they deal with because of a significant injury. When on the job, you would help people live a good life.
Canada is expecting a shortage of physiotherapists over the next ten years. The provinces with the best prospects are British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
The requirements to work as a registered physiotherapist in Canada are:
- A bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy
- Supervised practical training
- License with a regulatory body; and
- Completing the national physiotherapy exam.
4. Nurse
When talking about the high demand jobs in Canada, it is impossible not to discuss Nursing. Even before COVID-19, Canada had a shortage of nurses. Baby boomers around the country are retiring, and they would need nurses to help them manage their health while in retirement. Also, members of the elderly Canadian population need constant medical attention to stay alive and well, hence the need for nurses in the workforce. According to the Conference Board of Canada report, the number of nurses needed will double over the next ten years.
The remote communities and little rural towns would be the areas where nursing job vacancies would be more common.
International educated nurses have the foundation to become nurses in Canada. However, each province or territory has its requirements and process—check out resources on the Canadian Nurses Association for the steps to becoming a registered nurse in Canada.
5. Psychologist
Mental health has become more in focus these days, and everyone is encouraged to take care of their physical and psychological health. Psychologists’ jobs have become increasingly important in Canada. Career experts predict this role would be one of the fastest-growing jobs in Canada in 2021. Psychologists would be required to counsel and offer therapy to people with anxiety, depression, stress, chronic neurological conditions etc. There are different forms of psychology where immigrants and Canadian residents can become professionals in behavioural psychology, cognitive psychology and child psychology.
According to the Canadian Psychological Association, one must have:
- a post-graduate degree
- receive supervised experience; and
- pass written and oral exams on various topicsA
6. Pharmacist
Pharmacies and Drug Stores in Canada make up the second-largest health expenditure. Most Canadians, especially the elderly population, need easy access to pharmaceuticals so they can stay healthy. The demand for a healthier lifestyle and preventive health services has led to more drug retail outlets, with some of them operating 24 hours a day.
As a result of this, there is a need for more trained pharmacists to meet up with the increasing number of drug stores. As a pharmacist, you will supervise the dispensing of drugs, prescribe medication and tell a patient the right dosage for each medicine. The provinces with the highest job prospects for pharmacists are British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan.
Pharmacist employment requirements:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy;
- Practical training supervised by a pharmacist; and
- licensing exams.
7. Truck Driver
Canadians rely on truck drivers to drive their economy. Since the age group that mainly operates in this role is between 46 and 65, people are needed to fill the vacancies as workers retire. This position is one of the jobs in high-demand in Canada.
It is mostly in high demand in BC, PEI, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Yukon. WorkBC predicts there will be an estimated 13,336 openings before 2029. If you find yourself in this job, you will be responsible for moving commercial goods from one coast of the country to another. You will need to complete truck driver training and meet the long-haul licensing requirements.
Other drivers are also in demand in Canada, ranging from bus drivers and other transit operators to delivery and forklift drivers.
8. Sales Associate
The most number of jobs advertised on LinkedIn are sales positions. Companies need sales associates to help them sell their products or services to clients. B2B sales associate is among the highest demand jobs in Canada.
The median age of workers in Sales position is around 35 and most people retire at 65. Prior to the pandemic retail sales associates were in high demand. Many companies have found innovative ways to take their sales teams digital.
For many new immigrants looking to start their career in Canada, starting from a sales position is extremely common. Sales associates in certain industries can require highly specialized knowledge such as Automotive, Insurance, Real Estate and Finance industries.
Developing a successful career in sales requires excellent communication and networking skills. Check out our post on the 7 do’s and don’ts of networking to learn best practices for growing your professional network.
9. Digital Marketing Specialists
Digital Marketing roles have become one of the fastest growing jobs in Canada. The pandemic drove business to move online and with most people at home. Online shopping doubled growing by 110% in 2020 compared to 2019. Companies continue to increase their spend on digital marketing every year. In these pandemic times, digital marketing has grown by double digits. By 2021 Internet ad expenditure in Canada will grow to over seven billion US dollars.
If you have a background in traditional marketing, now is the time to sharpen your Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Management and other digital marketing skills. According to jobbank Canada, occupations in advertising, marketing and publications will continue to grow. There will be a shortage of new job seekers to fulfill the expected demand.
If you are looking to gain new skills and find a digital marketing job faster in Canada, see our blog post on nine ways to accelerate your job search as a newcomer.
10. Business Management Consultant
Marketplaces worldwide have become more competitive and will be even more so in 2021 because everyone now has an online presence and seeks to pull in customers from the digital space. Businesses decide to hire management consultants to help them keep up or outpace their competitors.
The demand for consultant jobs is cyclical and subject to economic shocks. According to IbisWorld, the Management Consulting industry decreased by 9% in 2020. This decrease was due to a shrink in corporate profits from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, once the economy recovers from the pandemic, the demand for Management Consultants will rise again. Consultants also offer strategic, operational and recovery services that will be in high demand as companies recover.
The qualifications to become a Business Management Consultant are:
- A business-related degree;
- Relevant industry experience.
Other High-demand jobs in Canada
- College or Vocational Instructors
- Industrial Electrician
- Heavy Duty Mechanic
- Welder
Resources to help new immigrants find a job in Canada
Here are some resources to stay on top of the Canadian job market and find a job as a new immigrant in Canada.
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