A report has been released recently by Statistics Canada  after analysing the educational level of the Canadian workforce.

Canada ranked first among all G7 nations (including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan) in terms of the share of working age (25 – 64 years) population who held a college or university credential or higher. Over half (57%) of Canada’s labour force were post-secondary graduates. In fact, Canada has led the G7 in workforce credentials since 2006.

As per the report, considering the working population helding a university degree or college certificate aged 25-64 years, Canada has ranked first among all G7 nations (including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan). It was found that more than half (57%) of labour force in Canada were post graduates. While in terms of working credentials, Canada has lead the G7 since 2006.

Why are Canadian workers so educated?

One key reason behind the growing number of qualified workers in Canada, is a strong and internationally accredited post-secondary education system, which Canadians have benefitted from. The strength of the educational sector can be seen by its growth just among Canadians.

The post secondary education system in Canada is internationally accredited and highly reliable which is one major reason behind the increasing qualified workforce here. Looking at the growth of Canadians the high potential of the education system can be clearly seen.

39.7% of young Canadian-born women, and 25.7% of young Canadian-born men held a bachelor degree or higher, with consistent growth in the last ten years. In fact, the rate of growth of core-aged (25-54 year old) men who held a degree in the last five years was equivalent to the ten years before that period.

However, there is another significant reason why Canada’s labour force is more educated and qualified than ever.

It is observed that among the young born Canadians, 39.7% women and 25.7% men holds a bachelor degree or higher with a consistent growth in the last ten years. It is also seen that in the last 5 years the growth rate of core-aged(25-54 year old) men who holds a degree was equivalent to ten years before that period.

Adding to this there is one more significant reason for Canada’s workforce being more qualified than ever before.

The effect of immigration on the labour force

New immigrants and non-permanent residents (holders of a work permit) accounted for almost half of the growth in credentialed workforce members between 2016 and 2021. These were not just among Bachelor’s degree holders (39.1%), but also in higher education certifications like earned doctorates (55.8%), and master’s degrees (52.2%).

Between 2016 and 2021 new immigrants and non-permanent residents contributed almost half to the development in qualified working professionals in the country. Statistics show that among the workforce there were 39.1% Bachelor’s degree holders, 55.8% certified in higher education like earned doctorates and 52.2% master’s degree holders.

In fact, recent immigrants were more highly educated than any previous group, with 59.4% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. It should be noted that Canada additionally remains the most popular destination for international students among G7 countries (with 620,000 present in Canada in 2021); A key source of skilled labour to the workforce after graduation.

If facts are to be believed, 59.4% of recent immigrants were highly qualified with a bachelor’s degree or higher than any previous group. It is noticeable that among G7 countries, Canada is the most preferred destination for international students (with 620,000 present in Canada in 2021); They are more likely to join the workforce as skilled labour after graduation.

Immigrants are therefore a critical addition to Canada’s workforce, not just by numbers, but also in terms of quality of skills and knowledge that they bring the economy. Newcomers are a profound contributor to Canada’s distinction as the most educated workforce among the G7 countries.

However, is Canada doing right by these newcomers?

Therefore the addition of immigrants is a crucial component in the economy not only in numbers but also in regards to quality of skills and knowledge. New immigrants are a major contributor to Canada’s rank as the most educated workforce among G7 countries.

Is Canada acting right by these newcomers?

Accreditation: A persistent problem

Over one quarter of all immigrants with a foreign degree were overqualified (defined as working in a job that typically requires a high-school education or less). Comparatively only 1 in 10 Canadians, or immigrants with a Canadian degree were overqualified in their jobs; a clear distinction that represents underutilization of internationally educated newcomers. Getting accreditation for foreign education has been an observed longstanding issue since its inclusion in the 2006 census.

Immigrants with a foreign degree were overqualified constituting over one quarter of all.  While only 1 in  10 Canadians were overqualified in their jobs compared to immigrants with a Canadian degree; this clearly represents underutilization of newcomers holding international degree. Since its inclusion in the 2006 census getting accreditation for foreign education has been an issue standing for long.

This problem has started to come to the fore in light of record high job vacancies, labour shortages in several sectors, and a growing class of retirees. Canada is more in need of skilled labour than ever, and the persistence of the accreditation problem has led to a situation where the foreign skilled talent in Canada is not being optimally utilized to address labour gaps, even in high demand sectors, like healthcare.

This issue came forward in the light with the rise of job vacancies, labour shortages in several sectors and growing class of retirees. The need of skilled labour in Canada is more than ever before, while the continuation of accreditation dispute has led the situation to worsen for using foreign skilled talent optimally to address the labour gaps, even in demanding sectors like healthcare.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has taken the matter on board however, dedicating over $90 million in funding for new projects to help streamline accreditation for internationally trained medical professionals; and enable them to work and gain field experience in Canada more readily. Canada has additionally reduced barriers to Express Entry programs for physicians.

However, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has taken the matter on board. With a funding of over $90 million for new projects to help streamline accreditation for internationally trained medical professionals; and make them work to gain field experience more readily in Canada. Express Entry programs for physicians has been made more accessible than ever before.