IRCC has outlined recent progress on the Skills Mission. This is one of the key objectives highlighted in the Strategic Immigration Review released in October 2023. The report comes from ATIP, i.e., Access To Information Request. Below is IRCC’s update on its plan to attract global talent.  

Well, according to ATIP, the immigration department is working on establishing the foundations for skills missions abroad to attract and retain global talent that the nation requires to maintain its labor force and economy. 

Skills missions are part of IRCC’s strategy to attract high-skilled newcomers to immigrate to Canada. They involve IRCC staff, along with relevant stakeholders, traveling across countries where there are large pools of potential labor. 

These missions fall under the jurisdiction of the Chief International Talent Officer. However, still, there is no confirmation if IRCC has someone to fill this position or not. 

In the meantime, the immigration department states that it has made significant progress in developing a work plan, mapping existing provincial and federal services, taking stock of ethical requirement practices, and holding preliminary discussions with stakeholders. 

As part of the feedback IRCC received from stakeholders when creating a Strategic Immigration Review, IRCC noted that many employers in Canada find the process of hiring newcomers daunting, which can discourage them from considering hiring newcomers, specifically those abroad, to fill urgent positions. 

Moreover, IRCC states that skills missions will benefit employers by simplifying the immigration process and bringing relevant parties together to address specific foreign talent needs. 

Some provinces already execute skills missions through their Provincial Nominee Program. For instance, Manitoba regularly nominates applicants in the Skilled Worker Overseas category of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program through Strategic Recruitment Initiatives, which aims to help employers in Manitoba who have demonstrated an immediate, ongoing need for skilled workers. 

Which Countries Will IRCC Target?  

The IRCC’s update on its plan to attract global talent includes various countries that it will target. 

The ATIP explains that skills missions will also support other objectives. It includes increasing the number of French speakers outside of Quebec and diversifying source countries for newcomers. 

That said, IRCC states that the nations targeted for skills missions depend on the type of profession or group singled out in each mission. For instance, regulated professions might be evaluated differently than unregulated. 

For regulated professions, like those in healthcare or trades, IRCC will work to identify nations with training or accreditation similar to Canada to help reduce the time it takes for newcomers to be eligible to work in their chosen professions when they arrive. It will also work with other partners to pinpoint nations where there is not a shortage of local labor to avoid being perceived as ‘poaching’ talent. 

For missions that target non-regulated professions, IRCC states that it will work with other organizations and stakeholders to identify large, concentrated pools of labor. 

In both instances, IRCC states that it also considers existing bilateral agreements on labor mobility and free-trade agreements. 

These missions will also target nations with Francophone populations to assist IRCC in fulfilling its obligations. The report notes that skills missions can help increase the demographic weight of Francophones outside of Quebec. 

IRCC has an official goal of ensuring that 6% of newcomers to Canada in 2024 are French speakers. 

What Professions? 

IRCC’s update on its plan to attract global talent also includes professions. 

According to ATIP, targeted professions will vary depending on the region selected for a skills mission and participating employers. 

However, it also states that occupations will be identified using data from the Canada Occupational Project System. 

The system already identified shortages in healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades occupations in Canada. These have also been targeted in recent category-based Express Entry draws since May 2023. 

Also, the federal government states that missions will focus on short-term employment or regional needs. 

IRCC’s Next Steps 

After IRCC recognizes the professions and nations it is targeting, it will consult with external stakeholders. From there, trip logistics will take shape. It includes employers invited to participate in the mission, travel reservations, and the services IRCC will provide. 

The Chief International Talent Officer plans all these missions. Well, they act as a key part of IRCC’s Strategic Immigration Review Objectives, one of which is to align immigration with labor market needs. According to the Review, the Officer is responsible for collecting information about the skills Canada requires for the future and ensuring that immigration better aligns with Canada’s labor market and sectoral strategies.   

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490. You can also drop us an email at [email protected].