The latest report by Statistics Canada claims that more Canadian immigrants are landing well-fitted jobs. As a result, there is a reduction in the number of overqualified candidates. Overqualification in this context indicates a situation where candidates with advanced expertise or experience work in jobs that don’t need such high qualifications.

However, the StatsCan report on May 22, 2024, states that the percentage of recent immigrants with alignment between their qualifications and job has increased to 4.4 percent since the previous two Censuses. This is evident through the comparison between the 2016 and 2021 census data. During the same period, StatsCan also reported a significant decline in the percentage of overeducated immigrants. According to the Census data 2016, 31.1 percent of recent immigrants appeared overqualified for their job roles.

Conversely, in 2021, this percentage declined to 26.7 percent per the Census data.

Canada’s overqualification issue in the past

Over qualification has been a persistent challenge for immigrants who have recently move to Canada. Looking back at 2001, StatsCan reported that the percentage of recent immigrants and the mismatch between occupations has been quite inconsistent. The 2001 data revealed that 28.7 percent of recent immigrants turned out to be overqualified for their job roles.

Here’s a breakdown of the fluctuations in numbers in the last five years:

• 32.9 percent in 2006
• 27.8 percent in 2011
• 31.1 percent in 2016
• 26.7 percent in 2021

In addition, in 2021, recent immigrants in Canada displayed the lowest percentage of overqualification in the last twenty years.

Additional data further demonstrated that 2021 had the highest rate of recent immigrants in Canada with the alignment between their education and job. This accounts for 44.4 percent in the last 20 years.

StatsCan further revealed that in 2001, the percentage of recent immigrants displayed an alignment between their education and occupation was:

• 40.0 percent in 2016
• 43.7 percent in 2011
• 43.7 percent in 2006
• 48.0 percent in 2001

More Canadian immigrants are landing well-fitted jobs – How can we combat overqualification and get a job in Canada?

Recent immigrants or newcomers to Canada have the right to combat their worries related to overeducation. If possible, they can do so by being eligible for Bridging programs.

These Bridging programs, financially supported and managed by provincial or territorial authorities, aid Canadian immigrants. This type of assistance is primarily related to bridging their international education and professional background with Canadian requirements.

Note: Bridging programs don’t exist for workers in all sectors.
These programs assist foreign nationals in getting their accreditation and work experience by getting newcomers to work in regulated fields throughout Canada. Mostly, these sectors are the same ones in which these immigrants have already worked in their home country.

Acquiring employment options in Canada

It is rather challenging to seek employment in Canada as a newcomer. Partially, different countries have varied cultures, workplace environments, and requirements that make them special.

Several digital platforms provide valuable resources to support foreign nationals in formulating new resumes based on Canadian standards. They even help newcomers understand the perfect strategies for their upcoming job interviews.

The available resources are related to the following subjects:

• Finding work
• The locations to search for jobs
• Networking
• Canadian-style resume
• Canadian employee rights
• Preparation of job interviews

If you have questions related to the Canadian immigration process, you can access all relevant details through NavaImmigration’s immigration consultants. Write to us at [email protected].