Computers have become the standard for conducting business all over the world, and Canada is no exception. IT, or Information Technology, has experienced an unfailing trend of upward growth from the long ago days of Univac. The need for workers with various kinds of expertise in all computer fields is at an all-time high. With the rapid retirement rate of older workers there are opportunities for competitive salaries and advancements as never before. Upward mobility within the fields is expected. Entry-level workers are moving up into the vacancies that have come available due to those retirements, and the more rapidly they advance, the more new entry-level workers are hired.
Some, but not by any means all, of the IT fields that are experiencing shortages of qualified workers are:
- Hardware Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Computer Specialist in Telecommunications
- Systems Application Engineer
- Network Technician
- Information Systems Analyst
- Web Designer
- Data Transmission Specialist
- Wireless Specialist
- Computer Applications Manager
- Data Processing
- Mobile and Wireless Designers and Technologist
- Disaster Recovery Systems Developer
Jobs in Information Technology can be found with commercial businesses in the general public, in companies with Defense contracts, in Aerospace, Transportation, Health Care, Insurance, and Education. With virtually all business endeavors requiring computer systems, there is almost no limit to the need for experts to create them, run them, and repair them.
Many migrants have computer skills that are exceptional, but they have difficulties in finding employment for several reasons. One problem is the transferability of educational credentials. There are assessment services that will help with this so that skilled migrant workers will be better able to find employment in the IT fields for which they are trained rather than becoming under-employed in non-skilled positions.
Another obstacle is language. Most Canadian jobs will require the functional use of English and/or French, and if the immigrant doesn't have basic language skills it can hold him back, even when his professional skills are superb. The inability to communicate easily creates stress for workers on the job, and can interfere with the safety or efficiency of the workplace. It would be an advantage to any potential migrant to study English or French thoroughly so that his speech is clear and easily understood. Migrants with facility in two or more languages are an asset to the Canadian workplace.