This moment in the Canadian labour market is like few in the country’s history. Skilled immigrants and refugees, along with their knowledge, talents and experience, are in high demand in every part of Canada. Numerous sectors are looking for employees who can help their businesses grow, innovate and deliver critical services to their clients.
This unprecedented demand is occurring during a time of record-low unemployment with shortages from health care to IT to the Canadian transportation industry. At the same time, newcomers are already succeeding in these sectors. Immigrants comprise one-in-four health care workers; more than one-third of those working in science and technology are also new Canadians. A majority of truck drivers operating out of Canada’s largest cities are newcomers.
Windmill Microlending, a national charity offering skilled immigrants and refugees affordable loans to pay for the costs of accreditation, training and career development, wants to help more newcomers reach their professional ambitions in Canada. Windmill’s Trending Jobs Report is a free province-by-province guide to help new Canadians find a career path full of growth and opportunities. It uses recent labour market data to empower you as you plan your Canadian career, helping you on the path toward your goals.
Career advancement opportunities in a range of occupations
Windmill’s report points to steady and continued job growth in the following sectors across Canada: construction, community services, engineering, financial services, health care, information technology, law, transportation and natural resources extraction and production. These are industries that will continue to have demand for skilled workers, moving forward, and are presently paying a premium to attract talented employees.
Relatedly, specific jobs that show the greatest promise for growth include:
- Business data analyst
- Civil engineer
- Computer network technician
- Cybersecurity specialist
- Education worker or administrator including early childhood educator, teacher or principal
- Family doctor
- Financial auditor or accountant
- Human resources professional
- Lawyer
- Natural resources mining, quarrying extraction or production worker including minerals, metals and forestry (Canada’s north and Atlantic Canada)
- Nurse
- Pharmacist
- Skilled trades professional including electrician, mechanic or plumber
- Software engineer
- Truck driver
How Windmill can help you find success in an in-demand field
If you are a skilled immigrant or refugee looking to pursue a trending Canadian job, Windmill’s low-interest microloans can help you pay for the costs of the training, bridge programs, designations, certifications or professional development courses you need to succeed.
Windmill loans can be used for:
- Education and training programs of two years or less, including courses to help you advance your career
- Fees for licensing and qualifying exams
- Living allowance to support you during your training, licensing, or relocation
- Credentials assessments
- English or French language training
- Relocation costs for employment
- Travel expenses to take courses or exams not available in your area
- Books, course materials, and work equipment
- Professional association fees
As well, Windmill offers one-on-one client success coaching, a mentorship program, financial planning and budgeting tools and a virtual Career Planning and Success Centre where you can find a range of helpful supports.
To learn more about how an affordable Windmill microloan can be used, click here.
To see if you are eligible for a Windmill loan, take our two-minute online loan eligibility quiz, click here.