27-05-2014
Canada Needs Teachers: University Professors, Lecturers and Early Childhood Educators on New Federal Skilled Worker Eligible Occupation List
The April 23, 2014 announcement by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) about the new Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is good news for professors, lecturers, educators and assistants with an interest in immigrating to Canada.
As of May 1, 2014 the new Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program Eligible Occupation stream will be open to applicants from 50 different occupations. For the first time since 2008, teaching related occupations appear on the FSW eligible occupation list. The two occupations on the 2014 list are:
University professors and lecturers (National Occupation Classification 4011)
Early childhood educators and assistants (National Occupation Classification 4214)
What is the FSW program?
The FSW program is an extremely popular program that allows skilled workers to apply for Canadian permanent residency (PR). The FSW program does not require applicants to have a Canadian job offer or a close relation in Canada. A Canadian Permanent Resident Visa allows someone to live and work anywhere in Canada. A successful FSW applicant can land in any of Canada’s provinces or territories (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia etc. ) other than Quebec (Quebec has its own Skilled Worker Program).
The FSW Eligible Occupation Stream will only approve a maximum of 25,000 total applications and a maximum of 1000 applications per occupation. The FSW program uses a points-based system to evaluate eligibility. Points are awarded for age, education, work experience, language proficiency and education. Along with needing to satisfy the points and language requirements, applicants under the FSW Eligible Occupation Stream must have work experience in one of the 50 eligible occupations.
Which Teachers Are Eligible to Apply?
FWCanada has already received many questions from lecturers or professors with varying job titles: department heads, associate professors, teaching assistants etc. It is important to look beyond the title and at the actual duties being performed.
Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) Database describes each occupation. Every occupation has lead statement and duties.
To help determine if their work experience falls under an NOC, an applicant should check the NOC occupational description (available at http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/ ) to see if they performed:
1- The actions described in the lead statement for the occupation
2- A substantial number of the main duties, including all of the essential duties of the occupation
University Professors and Lecturers
This NOC (4011) may be an option for many different lecturers, instructors, researchers and educators.
Based on the lead statement, University professors and lecturers teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities. The NOC also specifies that University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.
Some of the duties include:
· Teaching one subject or more to students at the graduate or undergraduate level,
· Preparing and delivering lectures,
· conducting laboratory sessions or discussion group,
· Advising students on career decisions and course and academic matters,
· Directing graduate students research programs and advising on research matters, and
· Conducting research in their field of specialization and publishing findings in scholarly books or journals
The full description of University professors and lecturers (NOC 4011) is available at:
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=4011
Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
This occupation appears to include a broad spectrum of educators and assistants. This occupation may be an option for many people working at day care centers, kindergartens or settings where early childhood education services are provided.
Since NOC 4214 covers two similar, but still different, occupations, it is important to look at which parts of the lead statement applies to educators and which apply to assistants.
For example, early childhood educators plan and organize programs for children from infancy to 12 years old, while educator assistants provide care under the guidance of educators for infants to school aged children. Both Early Childhood Educators and assistants ensure children’s security and well-being and lead children in activities that stimulate emotional, intellectual and physical growth.
Some of the duties also help illustrate the differences between who would be classified as each:
Early childhood educators develop and implement child-care programs, plan and maintain a healthy secure environment, lead activities and assess abilities etc.
Educator assistants perform duties such as supporting educators in carrying out programs, prepare snacks and arrange furniture during lunch and rest periods, assisting with eating and dressing, maintain equipment, attend meeting etc.
While this occupation appears to be a new and exciting option for educators and assistants who previously were not eligible for the FSW program, only a maximum of 1000 total applications will be accepted for NOC 4214. As a result, this occupation may fill particularly quickly.
The full description for Early Childhood Educators (NOC 4214) is available at:
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=4214
When and How to Begin?
The FSW program is typically very popular and is only accepting a limited number of applications. Many potential applicants, such as teachers, have been waiting for years to see their occupation appear on the FSW eligible occupation list. As a result, popular occupations may fill quickly, as seen during previous FSW programs (sometimes in less than a month). In order to have the best chance of applying before an occupation or the program fills, prospective applicants are encouraged to begin evaluating their eligibility and documenting their credentials as soon as possible (even before the program opens on May 1).
You can obtain your free secured Canadian Immigration assessment at:
https://www.canadianimmigration.net/assessment-form.html
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
