How to Be Part of Canada's Labour Shortage Solution

By: Mark Coote and Greg Long, Centennial College.

In order to find the job you want in Canada as an international student, you will require the skillset, Canadian work experience and Canadian academic certification that employers are looking for. Employers in Canada are seeking the following:

1. Canadian academic background
2. Canadian work experience
3. Understanding of Canadian culture
4. Excellent communication skills

Thankfully, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and The Canadian College System have made it possible for foreign students to meet these requirements by the time they graduate. The employment regulations and international student experiences shared below will demonstrate how.

Canadian Academic Background – What Is The Value?

Centennial College students reflect on how a high quality Canadian Education that provides hands-on learning and experienced instructors helps prepare students to work in their field in Canada:

“My professors are all lawyers and law clerks, what could be better than have those already working in the industry in Canada teaching you and sharing their experience with you in the field you’re going into? Secondly, we deal with real cases. Not made up cases, real cases that happen in Canada.” shares Terry-Ann Robinson of her experience in the Law Clerk Program at Centennial.

“In the first four weeks of my program the Toronto elections were going on and we actually had to go and cover the elections. Just imagine going out in the field and competing with CBC and CTV, rubbing elbows with all these people four weeks in. Centennial gets you in the streets, not just in the books all the time. Its experience that is extremely valuable” adds Coriandre Lawrence of the Journalism Fast Track Program at Centennial College.

Canadian Work Experience – Get Work Experience While You Study

Under Canadian law, a full time international student can work on campus for 20 hours per week for the first six months of their studies without a work permit.

After six months of full time study, an international student in Canada can apply for a work permit to work up to 20 hours per week on or off campus and full time during scheduled breaks, including summer or winter holidays and reading weeks. Another way to obtain Canadian work experience before you graduate is by taking a program that includes an internship or a co-op.

“My program is very hands on. The majority of my second semester is at co-op, so I am currently working downtown at the Sheraton hotel,” explains Damian McLachlan of his experience in Centennial’s Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management Program.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is the internship in the final semester of my program. We’ll be placed in different law firms where we actually get experience that can go on your resume as real, related experience. You know when you see a job and they say you need experience? That is the experience!” continues Terry-Ann Robinson during Centennial’s recent Live Video Chat for Caribbean Students.

Understanding Canadian Culture and Excellent Communication Skills

In order to be a good fit with a company and work well with existing employees, excellent communication skills and an understanding of Canadian culture are essential. Volunteering can help you develop an understanding of how multiculturalism and diversity is an essential component of the Canadian culture and workplace, and develop excellent communication skills by working as part of a diverse team:

“People usually imagine volunteering as you are working for free. But, it’s not really true. First of all it’s gaining experience. And you can get something really important from it too,” says Global Business Management student Oleksandr Zaviriukha of his experience as part of a team of Centennial College students on a three week volunteer expedition in Kenya.

“Being a Management student, the relevant skills I took away from volunteering are to be more target oriented, improving time management skills, organization and team building,” shares Sanghmitra Kamble of her experience as part of a team of Centennial College students on a three week volunteer expedition in Peru.

Staying in Canada and Working after Graduation

A 2012 report on Canada’s job market indicates 30% of the country’s businesses face a skilled labour shortage. By obtaining a Canadian academic credential and Canadian work experience, developing an understanding of Canadian culture and excellent communication skills, international students can become valuable and much needed members of the Canadian workforce and society.

This fact is recognized by Canada’s post-graduate work permit and immigration programs for international students, which Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently visited Centennial College to promote to Centennial’s International Students:

Post-Graduate Work Permit Program

The Canadian Experience Class

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program

If you have a question about studying, working or living in Canada feel free to post a question to the Centennial College International Centre Facebook page or contact us at international@centennialcollege.ca for assistance.

Welcome to Canada! Welcome to Centennial College!