Canada is currently facing a significant labour shortage of Truck Drivers due to the layoffs caused by the pandemic alongside the aging workforce. Recently, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has transitioned from NOC 2016 system to the NOC 2021 and added 16 new occupations to Express Entry. Truck driving is among the new eligible occupations due to the drastic labour shortages within the sector.
Industry of Truck Driving in Canada
A shortage of skilled workers is affecting the Truck Driving industry due to factors such as layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic and a high retirement rate. It is reported that there are more than 18,000 job openings for Truck Drivers in Canada as of the second quarter of 2021, according to a report.
Truck driving plays a key role in supporting and sustaining the Canadian economy, especially when disruptions and labor shortages occur.
In addition, the report revealed that Canada’s trucking and logistics industry moved over $850 billion in goods domestically and internationally. It was estimated that the shortage of Truck Drivers in Canada cost the industry approximately $450 million in lost productivity even before the global pandemic.
What is the Impact of the NOC 2021 on Express Entry?
Earlier, for Express Entry in Canada, candidates had to submit a job experience that matched either NOC skill categories 0, A, or B, which was consistent with the Canada NOC list 2016. As a result of this change on November 16, Canada will use a new Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system to determine whether a candidate is eligible for a work experience position.
The NOC code for Truck Drivers as per the latest NOC 2021 system is 73300.
The Express Entry Process for Immigrating to Canada
Express Entry was launched in 2015 and it is Canada’s primary immigration pathway for skilled workers. This point-based system manages three federal high-skilled streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Following the Express Entry draw, the candidates with the highest scores in the CRS points calculator are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Now that draws are being conducted with lower CRS scores, it’s the best time to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver. Through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), IRCC plans to increase the number of candidates eligible for ITAs by lowering the CRS score.
Expected Changes to Express Entry
In 2021, Bill C-19 got the Royal Assent of Canada’s parliament. IRCC has the authority to invite Express Entry candidates based on individual factors such as their language abilities and work experience to fill nearly one million job vacancies better. There has not been a final decision on how to identify and select these groups.
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