Canada is facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, which presents an excellent opportunity for qualified foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system. Thousands of air traffic controller jobs are expected to become available in the next decade, and there won’t be enough qualified Canadians to fill them. This shortage creates a pathway for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residence in Canada.
According to a federal job-hunting and career-planning website, there will be a total of 17,100 job openings for transportation officers and controllers from 2022 to 2031. However, only 11,100 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill these positions through school leavers, immigration, and mobility. This imbalance in supply and demand is expected to create a shortage of 6,000 jobs in this field.
The Express Entry system has started targeting specific occupations, including Air Traffic Controllers. To be eligible for immigration through Express Entry occupation-targeted draws, candidates need at least six months of continuous work experience in Canada or abroad within the past three years in one of these specified occupations. This experience can be gained while working in Canada as a temporary foreign worker with a work permit or as an international student with a student visa.
Air Traffic Controllers fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 72601. They are responsible for directing air traffic in assigned airspace and controlling aircraft and service vehicles at airports.
In terms of job prospects, Canada’s largest job-hunting and career planning website ranks air traffic controllers as having good job opportunities in the Yukon, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador Provinces over the next three years.
The median hourly wage for air traffic controllers in Canada is $45, but this can vary from as low as $20.60 to as high as $85 per hour, according to Job Bank. With a standard 37.5-hour work week, air traffic controllers can earn up to $165,750 per year in Canada.
The recent changes to the Express Entry system, announced in May, have made it more responsive to labor market needs. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and parts of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) now consider occupation-specific draws to address labor shortages.
Canada recognizes the importance of immigration in addressing labor shortages, especially in critical professions like air traffic control. These changes aim to ensure employers have access to the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed while supporting French-speaking communities’ vitality.
Canada signalled its intention to introduce occupation-specific draws through Express Entry in June of the previous year. Changes to the Immigration, Refugee and Protection Act were made to allow invitations based on specific occupations and other attributes like language ability.
The majority of Canada’s provinces have been issuing occupation-specific invitations for several years, and these changes align with their efforts to address labor shortages effectively.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reports that the number of occupations facing shortages has doubled between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, federal high-skilled admissions accounted for a significant portion of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec from 2018 to 2022, further highlighting the importance of immigration in Canada’s labor market strategy
Dynamic Group, a leading Canadian immigration assistance provider, offers invaluable support to individuals seeking career opportunities in fields like air traffic control, medicine, and engineering. For air Traffic Controllers looking to make Canada their new professional home, Dynamic Group provides expert guidance in the complicated immigration processes, ensuring a seamless transition to the Canadian workforce.
Moreover, for aspiring medical professionals and engineers, Dynamic Group offers tailored immigration solutions, helping them with post landing assistance to pursue their careers in Canada. With a deep understanding of the paperwork, we provide comprehensive assistance to help job seekers in these fields fulfil their dreams of working in Canada. Whether credential evaluation or settlement support, Dynamic Group’s commitment to client success makes it a trusted partner for those dreaming on their Canadian career journey.
Contact Dynamic Group on canadasupport@dss-hr.com or dial+91-11-41170411 and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for regular updates.
