It can be a bit inaccurate to focus on tech jobs in Canada in 2021 and 2022 without also acknowledging their impact on the economy. The proliferation of digital workplace strategies has now extended to almost all employment sectors. This means that nearly every job in 2021 will be a tech job.
Digital strategies are crucial to the success of all projects in Canada, from banking, marketing, finance, journalism, medicine and education. This trend will only continue as we move into the 2021s. What does this mean for immigrants looking to reach their full potential in Canada’s technology sector? How can immigrants who aren’t yet Canadian gain access to these IT and tech jobs?
It should not surprise that Canada’s tech sector is large and deep. This means there are plenty of opportunities for candidates. Canada offers many opportunities for tech-related professionals to grow their careers. There are many opportunities to advance your career in Canada’s tech sector. These include UX designers in Montreal, cloud computing specialists in Ottawa, and software developers in Kitchener-Waterloo. You don’t have to live in Toronto or Vancouver in order to succeed here in Canada.
As with many things in life, the more prepared you are the greater your chances of landing a job as a tech worker in Canada.
Why should technology professionals choose Canada?
This question may seem easy to ask in 2021. The tech industry in Canada has been booming and it looks like this trend will continue into the next decade. Four Canadian cities, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa, were among the top 20 technology markets in North America in 2019. Toronto, Canada’s biggest city, was ranked third. However, the country also saw a net “brain gain” of nearly 58,000 jobs in tech between 2013-2018. Despite this, Canada’s tech landscape has not always been so attractive. Let’s take a look at how it changed. Every year, thousands of Canadian tech professionals arrive in Canada to start their careers.
Canada’s tolerant, inclusive and welcoming immigration policies, including the popular Global Talent Stream have helped to shine a new light on Canada as a viable destination for tech companies and individuals looking to expand or relocate their operations. The numbers back this up. Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal consistently make the best-of lists for cities that are top in tech innovation and talent finding across North America.
Canada’s rise to the top of the tech world in recent years is not accidental. Canada was made a nation by the comprehensive Innovation and Skills Plan that was launched in 2017. It is a country that aims to create an environment conducive to cutting-edge innovation and world-class technology. This plan had one key goal: to encourage companies to invest in the innovative technology industries. It seems to be working.
The government created a $1.26 billion Strategic Innovation Fund in July 2017 to support growth, development and commercialization of products. It is open to all sectors. This fund includes the development and accompanying technologies. IDC Canada estimates that the Canadian Internet of Things, also known as tech integrated into our everyday lives, was worth more than CAD $6 billion in 2018. This figure shows how integral tech and digital systems have become in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. It should not surprise that Canada’s tech sector is on an upward trend. But where can you find these opportunities?
Are there any tech jobs available in Canada?
It can be difficult to find three places where you can have a fulfilling career in Canada’s large country. While we will be focusing on three cities that are the most vibrant for tech jobs in Canada, it is important to remember there are many other places across the country where you can find the job of your dreams.
Montreal Jobs for UX Designers
Montreal, Quebec, is rapidly rising to the top of the North American tech hub list, thanks to favorable tax incentives and a growing number highly-skilled techno graduates. Between 2012 and 2018, Montreal saw a nearly 30 percent rise in tech degrees, resulting in a remarkable 130,200 jobs in tech-related fields in Montreal. This includes Software Developers & Programmers and Computer Support, Database & Systems Managers, Computer Support, Database & Systems Managers, and Computer & Information Systems Managers.
Montreal is home of video game developers and visual effects heavy hitters such as Atomic Fiction and Ubisoft, which are both industries where UX design professionals are highly in demand. Montreal’s median salary for UX designers is $55,000 CAD per annum. This is slightly higher than the national median and there is potential for your income to rise over time.
Waterloo Software Developer Jobs
Waterloo in Ontario, Canada has taken advantage of its proximity to Toronto to create a vibrant tech sector. This was helped by the influx of talent from all over the globe. Many companies, large and small, have established offices in Waterloo. The University of Waterloo is the eighth-largest University in Canada and also houses the Institute for Quantum Computing. Although the average salary for software developers in Waterloo is slightly less than those in Toronto, once affordability and cost of living are taken into consideration, you might end up with more disposable income that your friends down Route 97. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has been targeting tech workers since 2019.
Cloud architect jobs in Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, is home to one the most vibrant tech sectors in Canada and North America. Vancouver’s tech scene has seen a lot of change over the last decade. Vancouver is rapidly rising to become a leader in blockchain, life sciences, AR, VR, cleantech and gaming. The number of tech-skilled workers in British Columbia has increased by 27 percent over the past ten year. Consistency in the B.C. has been a key factor in this growth. The B.C. government provided additional incentives to US tech companies for opening Canadian offices and integrated a pilot into its BC Provincial Nominee Program. Invitations were issued weekly to qualified tech workers. This has been a boon for both local businesses as well as foreign workers, particularly with the simultaneous tightening of H-1B visa programs for skilled foreign workers.
With more than 150,000 people working in technology, British Columbia’s tech workforce has the highest growth rate in Canada. Vancouver’s average salary for cloud architects is in line with other parts of Canada.
Canada’s tech jobs: Interview advice and applications
Is your resume for web developer like this? Responsible for the design and layout of the client’s marketing website. You could say it like this: Created a beautiful website using standard HTML/CSS techniques.
It’s time for your resume to shine. Make your resume speak in terms if the situations you faced, actions taken, as well as what those actions have done for the company in terms KPIs. Let’s get started:
I was solely responsible for creating and writing code. Working closely with UX designers and junior web developers, I was able communicate the purpose of the project clearly. My designs were responsible for a 58% increase of digital sales in 2019.
This doesn’t look like someone who is a skilled and driven tech expert, eager to solve problems for a Canadian company. Please don’t use the above example in your resume. Instead, go through every bullet point on your resume and revise it using this formula.
Problem/Situation >> Action taken >> Results/Achievement
Make the changes that are needed.
If you follow this advice, you can expect to get a job interview for a tech position sooner than you think. It’s crucial to be as prepared as you can when you apply for a tech job. These are our top five tips to help you achieve your goal.
Keep your answers concise. Be specific and highlight your accomplishments, but don’t go off-topic. Your resume should be used as a guide. Make sure you thoroughly research the company before you interview. You should show the hiring manager that your resume has been thoroughly researched about the company. List three to five attractive aspects of the job description. These include salary, remote working, and exciting opportunity.
These are just a few of the many tips that can help you win an interview. You can find many more tips in our comprehensive interview guide.
Also Read: How to Apply Work in Canada for Government Jobs as an Immigrant
Case study: Isabel, UX designer in Montreal
Isabel, originally from Colombia, moved to Canada several years ago. After arriving in Montreal fluent in English and French, Isabel was able to find a job within two weeks.
She has over 10 years of experience in technology and design and is now a Canadian citizen.
Isabel believes Canada is a multi-cultural country that offers many great opportunities for people with tech backgrounds, especially to Isabel.
Canada offers many immigration options for tech professionals
Tech specialists have many options for moving to Canada. This is especially true for younger professionals who have some work experience and are fluent in English and French. When it comes to immigrating to Canada, tech workers are often highly educated.
Although Express Entry is the most straightforward route to immigration, there are other options, including the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). The Express Entry process is quick and allows you to live and work in Canada within a few months. This is a vast improvement on the years or months of waiting that may be required if you are trying to get work in the United States. Further, Canada offers clear pathways to permanent residence and work permits for family members.
Express Entry may not be the best option for you if Express Entry is not an appropriate Canadian immigration option. These programs are used by provinces to nominate individuals for permanent residence, based on their local needs. A PNP is a program that allows tech professionals, especially web developers, to migrate to Canada. The PNP Live Tracker provides a tool to help you identify possible PNP options. Some provinces, such as BC and Ontario, actively target tech workers via their PNP.
A temporary work permit may be available if you are looking to move to Canada faster. You can do this through:
International Experience Canada (IEC) includes the working holiday program. This program is open for younger people from over 30 countries. Open work permits are available to applicants. Applicants can apply for an open work permit (no job offer required) for up to 12 months. The best thing about the Global Talent Stream is the speed at which work permits can be processed. This makes it one of the most popular immigration routes for people looking to move to Canada.
These are the most popular ways web developers, UX designers and other tech workers can immigrate to Canada. However, there may be other options depending on your situation. To learn more, visit our comprehensive immigration guide.
