Canada has introduced a specialized immigration route for carpenters, plumbers, and welders, extending the offer to countries such as Sierra Leone.

On Tuesday, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shared that Canada is optimizing its Express Entry (EE) system to swiftly accommodate skilled professionals in carpentry, plumbing, and welding. This strategic move, it explained, is to prioritize the integration of foreign talents in trades that drive Canada’s economic growth and progress.

“Throughout the year, we’ll conduct specific selection rounds for these categories, side by side with our regular rounds. We’ll share more specifics soon,” the statement mentioned.

Marc Miller, the current IRCC minister, emphasized the urgency of addressing Canada’s skilled trades gap. He noted, “Assisting the construction sector in retaining essential workers is pivotal. This new selection method underscores the importance of these tradespeople, and I’m eager to see more of them make Canada their home.”

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Sean Fraser, the former IRCC minister, had highlighted in May that the EE system would undergo changes to facilitate category-based selections, making it easier for skilled foreigners with experience in high-demand jobs to attain permanent residency.

For those unfamiliar, Canada’s Express Entry is a digital platform that facilitates the permanent residence process for skilled talents, and it remains the principal method for handling such applications.

Canada, grappling with an aging populace and a declining birth rate, has amped up its initiatives to lure young, dynamic immigrants through appealing immigration policies. In a bold move last year, Canada’s federal administration declared its ambition to admit 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, aiming to welcome nearly 1.5 million newcomers in the subsequent three years.

As per IRCC data, Canada accepted 437,120 Permanent Residents in 2022, marking an approximate 8% surge from 2021 figures.