What is the Category-based draw?
The Category-based draw is Canada’s answer to its workforce shortage in certain professions. It will provide a pathway to permanent residency for skilled candidates in critical fields.
These draws will only invite candidates from the IRCC’s Express Entry pool based on their skill, training or language proficiency.
So far, the US has designated 6 categories that will be the basis for its Category-based selection, namely:
- French language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math occupations
- Trade professions
- Transport professions
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
The need for Category-based draws
The Category-based draws will help to:
- Promote Canada’s overall growth
- Empower Canadian businesses
- Address Labour shortages
- Strengthen French-speaking communities
Why the need for more Transport workers?
The Transport sector is one of several sectors facing labour shortages in Canada. According to the Conference Board of Canada, elevated labour shortages in this sector directly cost over $1.3 billion in 2022.
Industry estimates have also projected the labour shortages to increase in the foreseeable future, from 25,000 to 55,600 by 2023-2035, impacting related sectors like manufacturing, agriculture and natural resources.
According to Statistics Canada, there were 149,710 job vacancies in the Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations in the second quarter of 2023.
Measures to remedy the labour shortage in the Transport sector
Transport Canada has already taken some baby steps to address the problem. Among them, TC negotiated agreements to recognize foreign-issued certificates for seafarers, allowing them to work in Canada.
The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) also provided $46.3M to Trucking HR Canada to support the recruitment, training and onboarding of 1,400 new truck drivers and other occupations within the trucking sector.
The recent Category-based draws for Transport occupations will also provide a much-needed impetus for the sector’s growth.
Eligible occupations for the Category-based Transport draw
The eligible occupations for this draw were as follows:
| Occupations | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER Category |
| Aircraft assemblers and assembly inspectors | 93200 | 3 |
| Transport truck drivers | 73300 | 3 |
| Railways traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators | 72604 | 2 |
| Engineer officers, water transport | 72603 | 2 |
| Deck officers | 72602 | 2 |
| Air traffic controllers | 72601 | 2 |
| Pilots, flight engineers and instructors | 72600 | 2 |
| Aircraft mechanics and inspectors | 72404 | 2 |
| Railway carmen/women | 72403 | 2 |
| Managers in transportation | 70020 | 0 |
The recent Express Entry draw for Transport workers
On September 18th, the IRCC announced its first category-based selection for newcomers with previous work experience in the transport sector.
The draw saw over 1,000 candidates invited to apply for permanent residency with a minimum CRS score of 435.
