Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has proposed an update to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). This proposed change aims to establish a new permanent economic immigration category for workers with experience and training at TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) levels 4 and 5, as stated by IRCC.
The department’s goal is to modernize the economic immigration system, allowing permanent residency for candidates with a broader range of skills and experience. This update seeks to address the longstanding need to recognize individuals who have accumulated valuable Canadian work experience but have struggled to secure permanent status.
According to Abhijit Zaveri, Director & Founder of Career Mosaic, “Indian professionals must highlight their unique qualifications and experiences to seize opportunities within Canada’s dynamic job market.”
Further details about this new immigration category and its pathways will be released this autumn in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and subsequently in Part II. This initiative is part of the Forward Regulatory Plan for 2024-2026.
What is Canada’s TEER System?
Introduced in 2022, the TEER system updated the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. It classifies jobs into different “TEERs,” replacing the previous “Skill Levels” from NOC 2016.
- TEER 0-3: Jobs typically requiring post-secondary education or an apprenticeship of a specific length.
- TEER 4: Jobs generally needing a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training.
- TEER 5: Jobs usually requiring short-term work demonstration with no formal education.
Currently, TEER 4 and 5 jobs are not typically eligible for federal economic immigration programs like Express Entry, making it harder for newcomers in these roles to secure permanent residency and fully integrate into Canada.
Impact on Temporary Residents
Many individuals come to Canada as temporary residents and, due to the current labor market, may end up in what Statistics Canada refers to as “low-skilled” positions. A recent study highlighted a shift towards low-skilled sectors such as accommodation, food services, and retail trade among temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students. This shift may result in a higher proportion of low-skilled TFWs among new immigrants, affecting their earnings and economic integration.
What Will the Amendments Change?
The proposed amendments aim to facilitate the transition from temporary to permanent residency for foreign nationals working in TEER 4 and 5 jobs. This change is intended to provide these workers with greater opportunities to continue contributing to the Canadian economy and meeting the labor market needs of businesses in these sectors. IRCC has identified this initiative as a medium-term priority, and no cooperation from domestic or international regulatory bodies will be required.
TEER Categories and Example Jobs
- TEER 0: Management roles (e.g., Advertising managers, Financial managers).
- TEER 1: Jobs typically needing a university degree (e.g., Financial advisors, Software engineers).
- TEER 2: Jobs usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship training of 2 or more years (e.g., Medical laboratory technologists, Computer network technicians).
- TEER 3: Jobs generally needing a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years, or over 6 months of on-the-job training (e.g., Dental assistants, Bakers).
- TEER 4: Jobs needing a high school diploma or a few weeks of on-the-job training (e.g., Retail salespersons, Home childcare providers).
- TEER 5: Jobs requiring short-term work experience and no formal education (e.g., Delivery service drivers, Landscaping laborers).
Implications for Indian Nationals
India is among the top ten countries for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) recipients in 2024, with approximately 65,000 PRs issued to Indian nationals this year. Indian immigrants typically use Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or Family Sponsorship to migrate.
The new TEER-based pathway will make it easier for Indian workers in various fields to transition from temporary to permanent residency, enabling them to fully engage in and contribute to the Canadian economy. IRCC will conduct consultations as part of the regulatory process to gather feedback and refine the proposed changes.
