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Canada now competing with Australia in “brain drain” of Irish workforce

Canada hopes to lure workers in with promises of permanent residency

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Thursday, March 22, 2012, 8:20 AM

Updated Thursday, March 22, 2012, 10:44 AM

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Regina, the capital city of the region Saskatchewan in Canada

Photo by Google Images

Canada is still on its search to bring skilled workers over from Ireland with the promise of work. Boasting several different markets in need of skilled and talented workers, Canada is diligently looking towards Ireland to fill vacancies.

The Offaly Express reports that VisaFirst, a leading migration agent, is set to embark on a recruiting trip to entice skilled workers to come to Canada. Canada specifically has their eyes set on Irish farmers to come over for work, and are promising permanent residency to certain workers.

VisaFirst says that many Canadian provinces are willing to give permanent residency to Irish farmers who are willing to buy land or buy into an existing farming business and set up shop in Canada.

VisaFirst also said that the demand in Canada is so great for certain trades that they are now competing with Australia, another country that draws a lot of Irish workers.

Edwina Shanahan, migration expert with VisaFirst said, “I would estimate that 6000 Canadian work permits will be granted to Irish skilled professionals this year, matching the Australian demand for Irish skilled workforce. Currently, we are seeing a run on Irish workers as Australian and Canadian employers compete for the Irish skilled workforce.”

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There is a cap on a certain few industries already, but others remain open, added Shanahan. “While the cap does not apply to those with a job offer, there are only a limited number of places still available for carpenters, electricians, chefs, cooks, Insurance claim examiners, crane operators, plumbers, welders, and mechanics if they want to apply for a permanent resident visa without having the hassle of trying to get a pre-arranged job offer. So for those who are eligible we would advise they get their application in now.”

Hoping to attract more workers, Shanahan added that, “We have been informed of excellent pay and earnings in the mining sector, oil and gas. A lot of tradesmen are working on site for 2 weeks at a time and really putting some money away.”

“One of the primary benefits,” Shanahan added, “is that once you are engaged in skilled work for 1 year in Canada then you can look at permanent resident options for you and your family.”

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mreinhar2001 | Apr 22, 2012, 07:39 PM EDT

ciaradexy: Au contraire re no hnadouts in the US. Even if you are here illegally as some Irish still are, the stes are obliged to give you a free rpimary eduction and if you are too poor to affor insurance or just turn it down at work, the goevrnment gives you Medicaid for all your medicla needs.

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IrelandNorth | Mar 28, 2012, 08:19 AM EDT

Will the "brain drain of the Irish workforce" (sic) not leave the Irish economy with an occupationally lobotomised workforce? Dah! Maybe that's what explains so many foreign workers in Ireland at present. Would it not make more sense to control foreign immigration to stall native emigration. Probably politically incorrect to be so economically rational.

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timbobdennehy | Mar 24, 2012, 09:01 PM EDT

i like angrypaddy's view.i will like to add train people,while you are in ireland. someone had to train you.just before you leave our shore for the moolah they wont pay you at home.

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Trishaboland | Mar 23, 2012, 11:54 PM EDT

Yes Ciara, what you're saying is true, but its still quite difficult to get those professional positions, as I said you generally have to meet Canadian provincial/federal standards for your profession before you get a job. You can't simply walk into a professional position out there on arrival, most professions are regulated. In my own case, I am qualified as a pharmacist, but I can not work in Canada with my Irish qualifications alone - I would have to attend university for a year and get Canadian qualifications to meet the provincial/federal standards. I would then need to get an internship with a Canadian company in order to get experience, and for this you need contacts. So theres more barriers to getting professional positions than you think. I don't doubt what you say that some who moved over there over the past 10 years and have jobs that pay well, but they either had these positions lined up in advance of going there, or they would have to follow the route to get accreditation for the relevant profession, most clearly have done so. However, Ive seen many immigrants, not all Irish, struggle to get this, due to the lack of recognition and/or insufficient qualifications, lack of cash to attend college/uni to get the relevant Canadian qualifications, lack of contacts to get an internship - so there's more barriers to getting a professional position than you think. In many case, I didn't bother looking for any positions in the pharmaceutical industry,as I got no response from hardly any position I applied for, only one blunt response saying I haven't got North American qualifications or experience. I just worked in a restaurant my 1st year, and a call centre my 2nd. Nice experience, a good country, but would not choose to settle there long term.

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ciaradexy | Mar 23, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT

Trisha, people arent given visas to work in shops and restaurants. Professionals are being head hunted at Job Fairs in Ireland every week. I know many who have moved there over the past 10 years and they all have great jobs that pay very well.

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ciaradexy | Mar 23, 2012, 05:16 PM EDT

Angry'Paddy'-there are no handouts in the US, Australia or New Zealand and there are thousands of Irish there. Whats you next useless snippet of information?

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Trishaboland | Mar 22, 2012, 06:55 PM EDT

Well whether you can get a good job matching your skills on arrival in Canada is another story. I would be curious to know though what type of jobs Irish professionals are working in out there, whether its in their field or in survival jobs (bars, shops, restaurants, call centres). The reason being I lived and worked out there for 2 years in the early to mid 2000′s. One thing I noticed was that it was extremely hard for any new immigrants to get into any professional roles there – their qualifications weren’t fully recognised, meaning they had to do extra studies, then look to get some experience with a Canadian firm.They also needed contacts to get a good position. All this while they had to work in survival jobs to keep themselves, not to mention the cost of studying in North America. So theres a lot of barriers to getting a good job in Canada, its not a matter of walking straight into one when you arrive there, contrary to what some might think. I know for many professions you do need to do extra studies and get accreditation, ( I certainly would have had to in the area of pharmaceutical studies) but maybe this isn't the case for IT, construction?

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ciaradexy | Mar 22, 2012, 04:35 PM EDT

Hey Tommy, Ive no plans to go anywhere as I have a job. I have a lot of mates who are working their way around the world at the mo. All of them are highly skilled and qualified with plenty of experience behind them and they have had no issues getting work anywhere. I have had job offers in a few different countries as I have a medical qualification but Im grand here.

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tommymccarthy | Mar 22, 2012, 04:04 PM EDT

Hello you 2 guys i worked in Alberta Canada was recruited in Scotland,the money was good when working, when not working not your fault it was to cold you were of pay that is how you are treated so please find out before you go about the money first

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ciaradexy | Mar 22, 2012, 03:51 PM EDT

Steven man, switch off the feckin caps lock! Loved Australia and NZ. My bro is in Wellington at the mo. Hes considering a move to Canada now too. Hes gonna try it out and see if he wants to settle there or back in NZ or Aus. Aus is immense but its just so far from home!

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STEVENSTAR | Mar 22, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT

WHY NOT? WE IRISH LOVE CANADA AUSTRALIA AND THE UK... THATS WHERE MOST OF US MIGRATE TO THESE DAYS !!! IL OVE CANADA APART FROM THE SNOW SO PREFER OZ FOR THE WEATEHR ..

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