Q & A: Occupational Demand Comparison

CIC News
Published: February 1, 1999

Q.In viewing your web pages pertaining to Canada's Skilled Worker Program, I see that many basic science categories (microbiologist, mathematician, etc.) have occupational ratings of only 1, while only computer programmers and some clinical professions rate a 10. Do you think these numbers are a reasonable (if crude) guide to employment opportunities in these professions either for foreign workers or Canadians?

Answer: The General Occupations List represents occupations in which Canada feels that there is a shortage of professionals. Within this list, occupations are given differing occupational factor scores based on perceived demand for that occupation.

The scale of 1 to 10, therefore, is not absolute. For example, an occupation with a score of 10 does not necessarily have 10 times the demand of an occupation with a score of 1. Although such an occupation would certainly have greater demand, the continuum (1 to 10) represents a subset of required skills.

There are other occupations with scores of 10 (i.e., audiologists, chefs, clinical perfusionists). Even within this subset of occupations with a score of 10 units, computer professions are presently leaps and bounds ahead of the other occupations in demand. As such, a comparison of a computer profession (of which there are some on the GOL with a score of 5) with any occupation with a rating of 1 is unrealistic.

In a recent report by an IT employment placement agency, it was suggested that there are 10 unfilled positions for each 7 professionals in the computer sector in Canada at present.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Top Stories
Canadian cities rank among best in the world for quality of life in 2024
IRCC announces transitional measures for some students changing DLIs next year
The major changes to Canadian permanent resident pathways in 2024
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Canada
Canadian cities rank among best in the world for quality of life in 2024
A woman and a child stand on a sandy beach
The major changes to Canadian permanent resident pathways in 2024
People walking on a busy street in Downtown Toronto
These are the new immigration pathways coming to Canada in 2025
A woman holds a Canadian flag while standing close to a picturesque waterbody
New findings: newcomer entry wage growth outstripped Canadian wage growth
A man holds his wallet filled with Canadian money, in what appears to be a shoe store.
Link copied to clipboard