Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has verified that Express Entry draws will continue this week following a month-long break.
The previous Express Entry draw occurred over a month ago, on August 15. It was an all-program draw that invited 4,300 nominees with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS) of 496. In an all-program draw, authorities consider candidates who meet the minimum CRS score and are in the Express Entry application pool.
Draw for transport occupations anticipated this week.
In a notice released today, September 18, the department verified that later this week, it will allocate invitations to Express Entry candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the new category-based selection for transport occupations.
Pilots, commercial truck drivers, and aircraft assembly workers are all included in this category. According to IRCC, these positions will help in the advancement of Canada’s economy.
“We commit to improving the transportation system and infrastructure to make it easier and safer to transport goods and passengers across the country as Canada’s economy continues to expand.” Immigration Minister Marc Miller says. We can fill significant labor gaps in the Canadian transportation industry with category-based selection, allowing us to welcome newcomers with knowledge of transport occupations.
What is category-based selection?
On June 22, 2022, The government of Canada revised the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). To select immigrants based on key attributes that support the country’s economic priorities.
On May 31, IRCC presented six new categories for Express Entry nominees. One is for nominees with strong French language abilities. The remaining five focus on in-demand employment sectors currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labor:
- Technology
- Mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, e.g. plumbers, carpenters, and contractors
- Healthcare workers
- Engineers
- Transport
- Agriculture and agriculture-food
After the introduction of new categories, two draws for healthcare occupations have occurred, one for STEM occupations, one for skilled trades, and three for French speakers. These draws have invited 10,900 nominees through category-based selection draws so far in 2023.
Category-based selection will help Canada attract top talent and meet the demand for transport workers to support the economy, according to the IRCC. A recent Globe and Mail report estimates that transport occupations will account for one to two percent of Express Entry category-based selection draws.
