Canada is one of the top countries to live and work in. In fact, it ranks higher than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s global average in the areas of education, environmental quality, health, income, jobs, life satisfaction, and social connection. If you plan to study in Canada to build your career, it’s worth knowing which job fields are growing. Read on as we take a closer look at six jobs that are in demand in Canada.
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1. Construction Project Managers
With Canada’s growing population, the need for infrastructure is growing, too. Construction project managers ensure a build stays on track by working with architects and engineers to develop a project plan and timeframe. They:
- Prepare contracts
- Provide quality control
- Divide up resources
- Hire and work with onsite construction workers to ensure the project is on time
This role requires strong communications and interpersonal skills, and a degree in civil engineering or a diploma in construction technology. Some jobs ask for a master’s degree in project management.
Did you know: you can work your way up to become a construction project manager? Some employers consider employees with relevant experience in the industry (like working as a supervisor or field superintendent) who don’t have these academic credentials. Depending on the province or territory, you may also need construction trade certification or a professional engineering status.
Interested in working in the skilled trades, but want to be more hands-on? Consider welding; it’s also on the Randstad Top 15 Jobs list.
2. Software Developers
The demand for software professionals will remain high in 2024. Developers, who design, code, and test digital programs, work across industries, doing everything from creating smartphone apps to improving traffic flow. Due to the strong startup communities and major tech companies establishing offices in Canada, developers are in constant demand. To prepare for this career, many developers take software engineering, computer science, or mathematics programs.
The Golden Horseshoe area, which spans Southwestern Ontario from Kitchener-Waterloo to Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area might be Canada’s most well-known tech community. In fact, as of 2022, it’s North America’s third-largest tech hub. That said, developers can work in many of Canada’s cities, whether in cleantech initiatives in Kingston or Calgary, AI research in Montreal or Edmonton, or in building a startup in Vancouver or Halifax.
Tip: Interested in working in tech, but not sure if a developer role is right for you? Consider becoming a product manager, cybersecurity consultant, or cloud architect, as these are also in-demand tech industry jobs in Canada.
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3. Health Care Professionals
Licenced practical nurses, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, veterinarians, dispensing opticians, and pharmacists make up almost half of the Canadian Occupational Projection System’s (COPS) list for the top 17 most in-demand jobs in Canada through 2024. At #1 on the COPS list, 139,700 job openings are expected for registered nurses alone! So, international students who plan to study health care and who want to gain work experience in Canada are likely to enter a job market which is increasingly looking for new workers.
As Canada’s population grows, so does the country’s need for health care services, from primary care in hospitals and clinics to specialists in counselling offices and pharmacies. Also, as Canada’s Baby Boomer generation ages, their medical needs are becoming more complex. To ensure everyone stays healthy, more health care professionals are needed.
Considering a career in health care? Here’s why you should study health sciences.
4. Human Resources Managers
Human resources managers help to make a workplace run smoothly, but are not always the easiest role to hire for! Employers look for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Popular study program options include commerce, psychology, industrial relations, or business administration. If you have a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, that can put your application ahead of the competition, too.
While no two days as an HR manager will look the same, the core of your role is planning, directing, and troubleshooting the work of your organization’s HR department. You may write or update policies for employee development or recruitment, as well as training or collective bargaining.
Read about how international studies can boost your resume and help you get your dream job!
5. Business Management Consultants
At #4 on the COPS top-careers list, with almost 50,000 job openings projected through 2024, is business management consultants. Not sure what you’ll be doing? Business management consultants advise businesses on their management methods, organization, and procedures, and give recommendations to make the business run more efficiently. They make sure businesses follow industry policies, and may conduct quality audits.
To work in this role, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce, or a similar discipline. Depending on where you apply, the role may also require certification by a provincial management consulting association, such as CMC Canada.
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6. Accounting Technicians or Bookkeepers
It’s a great time to look for work as an accounting technician (also known as a bookkeeper): it’s on the list of the top 15 careers in demand in Canada. If you excel at math, are organized, and enjoy helping others manage their finances, this might be the perfect job.
Despite the similar name, an accounting technician’s work is different from an accountant’s. Where accountants require special licences and certificates, accounting technicians usually don’t. Technicians support accountants and other finance professionals by preparing accounts receivable, processing customer bills, and recording revenue. Looking for career growth? Accounting technicians may move into professional accounting jobs with additional training.
Best of all, no matter where you choose to live in Canada, accounting technicians are likely able to find work. However, through 2026, the Government of Canada’s Job Board predicts the highest need will be in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, and the territories of Nunavut and Yukon.
Remember, while this post highlights some of the most in-demand jobs in Canada, other opportunities are out there, whether you plan to join a company or start your own business. Wondering where to go next? Check reputable sources, like the Government of Canada’s Job Bank for current information on industry trends and career opportunities.
Planning to study in Canada so you can grow your career? Find your perfect program on ApplyBoard for free! We’re here to help.
