IRCC Proposes New Immigration Class For Low-skilled Workers Under Teer Levels 4 And 5

August 5, 2024 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a proposed amendment to the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA) that would introduce a new permanent economic immigration class. This new class is targeted at workers with experience and training in the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 4 and 5.

Key Details:

• TEER 4: Occupations requiring high school education or on-the-job training.
• TEER 5: Occupations requiring no formal education but short-term work demonstration.

Currently, workers in TEERs 4 and 5 are not generally eligible for federal economic immigration programs like Express Entry. This has led to many newcomers who arrive in Canada to work in these occupations facing difficulties in becoming permanent residents, adding to the number of temporary residents in the country.

Labour Market Impact: Statistics Canada has reported a shift in the employment of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students toward low-skilled industrial sectors, including accommodation and food services, and retail trade. This new immigration class aims to provide a pathway to permanent residency for these essential workers.

The proposed amendment reflects the government's recognition of the vital roles these workers play in the Canadian economy and aims to address the challenges they face under the current immigration policies.