The demand for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada is on the rise, with the number of approvals doubling in the past five years. At Mansory Consultants, we aim to keep you informed about these important changes and what they mean for prospective immigrants.
Increasing Demand for Temporary Foreign Workers
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reports that in 2023, employers were approved to hire nearly 240,000 TFWs, compared to just over 108,000 in 2018. This significant increase highlights a growing reliance on foreign workers to fill job vacancies across various industries.
Key Data Points:
- 2016: 90,314 TFW approvals
- 2017: 98,146 TFW approvals
- 2018: 108,988 TFW approvals
- 2019: 130,457 TFW approvals
- 2020: 125,279 TFW approvals
- 2021: 133,196 TFW approvals
- 2022: 222,847 TFW approvals
- 2023: 239,646 TFW approvals
This upward trend shows a consistent increase in the number of employers seeking TFWs, despite a dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Industries with the Highest Growth in TFW Approvals
Certain industries have seen a remarkable rise in the number of TFW approvals between 2018 and 2023. Here are the top 10 industries with the highest percentage increases:
- Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates (NOC 33102):
- 2018: 16 approvals
- 2023: 2,514 approvals
- Increase: 15,613%
- Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Support Occupations (NOC 65201):
- 2018: 170 approvals
- 2023: 8,333 approvals
- Increase: 4,802%
- Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers (NOC 75110):
- 2018: 132 approvals
- 2023: 5,353 approvals
- Increase: 3,955%
- Light Duty Cleaners (NOC 65310):
- 2018: 201 approvals
- 2023: 3,043 approvals
- Increase: 1,414%
- Administrative Assistants (NOC 13110):
- 2018: 287 approvals
- 2023: 3,337 approvals
- Increase: 1,063%
- Retail Sales Supervisors (NOC 62010):
- 2018: 570 approvals
- 2023: 2,999 approvals
- Increase: 426%
- Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 73300):
- 2018: 1,584 approvals
- 2023: 7,297 approvals
- Increase: 361%
- Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020):
- 2018: 2,358 approvals
- 2023: 10,409 approvals
- Increase: 341%
- Cooks (NOC 63200):
- 2018: 3,162 approvals
- 2023: 11,977 approvals
- Increase: 279%
- Fish and Seafood Plant Workers (NOC 94142):
- 2018: 1,556 approvals
- 2023: 4,529 approvals
- Increase: 191%
Why Is This Increase Happening?
Several factors contribute to the growing demand for TFWs in Canada:
Labor Market Needs
The Canadian government has implemented temporary measures to address labor shortages, especially during the pandemic. These measures allowed TFWs to continue traveling to Canada and expedited processing of applications.
Economic Shifts
As Canada’s economy recovers and grows, the gap between job vacancies and available workers has led to an increased reliance on TFWs, particularly in low-wage positions.
Policy Changes
Recent policy changes aim to stabilize the number of TFWs. The Canadian government is targeting a decrease in the temporary resident population to 5% over the next three years, down from 6.2% in 2023.
How Mansory Consultants Can Assist
At Mansory Consultants, we provide expert guidance on navigating Canada’s immigration landscape. Whether you are an employer looking to hire TFWs or a foreign worker seeking opportunities in Canada, we are here to help you understand and take advantage of these changes.
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with Mansory Consultants Today!
Stay informed and make informed decisions with Mansory Consultants by your side. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you with your immigration needs.
