The labor market shortage is just one of the challenges Canada is currently facing in the labor market. This means that they require skilled workers, occupations that have more positions available than others are classified as in-demand jobs.
If you are a skilled social worker who wants to bring your skills to Canada, you are in luck! Social workers are listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada as NOC 4152, which means their role as a social worker is in demand. Let’s take a look at the best provinces to apply for social work jobs in Canada to better optimize your chances of immigrating.
Areas in Canada Where Social Workers Are In-Demand:
Although there is a shortage of social workers across Canada, certain fields are particularly in demand for this occupation. They are as follows:
- Alberta;
- New Brunswick;
- Nova Scotia;
- Ontario;
- Prince Edward Island;
- Saskatchewan
The demand for social workers has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because people are confined to their homes for longer periods of time than usual, which has contributed to the increase in domestic unrest and the increased demand for social services. In British Columbia alone, employment has increased by 1,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic.
Social workers serving clients in an office or on a home visit were encouraged to switch to virtual or telephone meetings where possible. The demand for social workers is strong overall. The number of roles for this occupational group has increased due to factors, in addition to the pandemic, which are the increase in services for veterans, the growing needs of an aging population and a greater emphasis on health. mental and psychological problems. young people.Advertisements
How much do social workers earn in Canada?
The average salary for a social worker is around $ 62,893. It all depends on where you live and work in Canada.
| Average Salaries for Social Jobs in Canada | |
|---|---|
| Province | Average Salary in CAD |
| Alberta | $72,072 |
| New Brunswick | $65,747 |
| Nova Scotia | $72,262 |
| Ontario | $70,644 |
| Prince Edward Island | $58,825 |
| Saskatchewan | $71,732 |
What are the registration requirements for internationally educated social workers in Canada?
All internationally trained social workers must be registered in Canada in order to work as social workers in the country. You need to do the following:
- Submit your academic credentials for assessment to the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW);
- Submit the completed credential assessment to the ACSW. If the assessment is approved, you may begin the registration process;
- Apply for Provisional Registration with the ACSW;
- Complete 1,500 hours of Social Work practice under the supervision of a Registered Social Worker. This could be paid or unpaid experience;
- You must submit a current Criminal Record Check, references, and a personal declaration to ACSW to prove your good character and reputation; and
- Submit evidence of having professional liability insurance (insurance provided through your employer is acceptable). If you are not currently working, you must forward evidence of your insurance to ACSW when you begin working.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Social Worker
There are several ways to immigrate to Canada as a social worker, but we’ve listed the two most popular and quickest ways to do it.
1. Express Entry
The Express Entry system is a great way to move to Canada as a social worker, as it is a system that administers three federal economic immigration programs. These are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.
By applying through the Express Entry system, you can come to Canada as a permanent resident, if you are successful. This is done by placing your application in a lottery pool with other eligible applicants. Here you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which will determine your ranking in the pool. To qualify, you must meet or exceed the specific CRS cut-off score. If you are successful, you will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Canada by receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The benefits of the Express Entry system include:
- You can immigrate to Canada with or without a job offer;
- Having a qualification in social work will earn you CRS points;
- If you aren’t successful the first time around you will remain in the Express Entry pool where you can improve your CRS score; and
- The processing time of your application can take as little as 6 months, making it one of the fastest immigration systems in Canada.
This is a program you won’t want to ignore, as the Express Entry system is issuing 105,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) this year alone.
2. Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an arrangement that has been established for local provinces to nominate eligible economic immigrants who wish to work and stay in a particular province.
To increase your chances of receiving a nomination from a province, the best practice is to apply where your skills are in demand. The more they are in demand, the better their chances. In this situation, you should look for the best provinces to apply for social work jobs in Canada, in order to increase your chances of receiving an appointment.
How do I apply for a Provincial Nomination Program?
The first step is to get approval from the province to which you have applied. This can be quite quick, as it takes four to nine weeks. The second step may take a little longer, as it consists of medical, police and security checks. It would take around six to eight months or even longer depending on your application.
There are two ways to request an appointment.
Direct Application Process
If you are applying through this application form, you must send the application directly to the province to which you are applying. You will need to send the paper application by mail or courier. It may take 15 to 19 months to wait for your results.
Express Entry Application Process
Going through the Express Entry system will give you two options. They are:
- Expression of Interest – this is where you can express interest in the province through your Express Entry profile. The province will nominate you if you have the right skills and experience. Remember it’s important to choose a province where social work jobs are in demand.
- Apply through a Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream.
Applying via the Express Entry system does have its perks as the process will take a little over six to eight months.