Tips for Non-English Speakers Seeking Employment in Canada

Tips for Non-English Speakers Seeking Employment in Canada. There are several job opportunities in Canada for residents as well as non-English speakers. Canadavisa (2023) stated that there are over one million job vacancies in Canada. 

Examples of job opportunities available for non-English speakers include chef, sales assistant, health care personnel, IT consultant, and many others.

Non-English speakers can work in Canadian sectors like hospitality, food production and processing, construction, catering, delivery services, and cleaning services. 

In Canada, the salary of a non-English speaker starts at $15 and above per hour depending on the type of job and the industry. Read down to see top tip guides for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada.

Non-English Speakers: Top Tips to Get Employed in Canada

Below here are the tip guides for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada:

1. Choose the level of English that is acceptable to you.
2. Know and calculate your current CLB level.
3. Improve your English. 
4. Verify your qualifications for Canadian immigration. 

1. Choose the level of English that is acceptable to you.

Choosing the level of English that is acceptable to you depends on your profession’s skill level and type. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is a way set up by the Canadian government to test your proficiency in a language. 

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) will show your employer and the government your ability to communicate and handle challenges in English. So, you need to take a Canadian Language test to get a benchmark.

2. Know and calculate your current CLB level.

Knowing and calculating your current CLB level is one of the top tips for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada. With your CLB level, you will know your strengths and weaknesses in the English language and also improve on them.

To calculate your current CLB level, you need to take a practice test for one of the recognized Canadian English language tests. Examples of the recognized Canadian English language tests are the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

3. Improve your English. 

After the Canadian English Proficiency Test, you must check your weaknesses and improve them. Some of the ways to improve your English language and speaking abilities are: 

• Take a course in English Language. You can take either an online or offline course in the English language. Learn the English language basics, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and reading. 
• Use a media app or software to learn everything about the English language.
• Converse in the English Language daily. You must have regular conversations in the English language to improve your language skills. 

4. Verify your qualifications for Canadian immigration.  

There are two steps to verify your qualifications for Canadian immigration: 

• A resume
• Search for online Canadian jobs

Resume

Your resume is the first impression of you to your employers, so, it must be properly written in the English language. You can make use of the Canadian RCICs services to arrange your resume to meet the Canadian job standards.

Online Canadian Jobs

Search for online Canadian jobs via job boards like Workopolis, Glassdoor, or Indeed and check out their requirements before you apply.  

Top Provincial Nominee Program You Can Choose

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are programs (streams) created by Canadian provinces to help both non-English and English speakers meet the country’s immigration goals, job application processes, and eligibility criteria. Also, PNP is the easiest way to become a permanent resident in Canada. 

Examples of the top Provincial Nominee Program you can choose include:

1. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
2. British Columbia
3. Nova Scotia
4. Prince Edward Island
5. Quebec Skilled Workers Program 
6. Saskatchewan
7. Ontario

1. Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

Alberta gives an immigrant nominee program for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada. This province does not have specific occupations that can apply for the program. 

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is for all job seekers from different backgrounds. You can apply for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program via the Express Entry program.

2. British Columbia

British Columbia is one of the most popular provinces in Canada. This province gives immigration programs in three categories namely:

• Skills Immigration Programs
• Entrepreneur Immigration
• Express Entry British Columbia Stream

3. Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a powerhouse for various job opportunities in fishing, mining, shipbuilding and other life sciences. Also, Nova Scotia provides job opportunities in the education sector, service sector, and healthcare sector.

Some of the programs in Nova Scotia that can guarantee your entry include:

• Occupation in demand.
• Labour Market Priorities Stream for Physicians.
• Express Entry.
• Skilled Worker.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur, and many others.

4. Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island provides several programs for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada. This program accepts immigrants in various industries like agriculture, ICT, tourism, bioscience, aerospace, and fisheries, among others. A few of Prince Edward Island’s top programs include:

• Work Permit Program
• Skilled Workers Program
• International Graduate Program
• PEI PNP Express Entry
• Critical Workers Stream

5. Quebec Skilled Workers Program 

Quebec Skilled Workers Program is a fast-track program for English and non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada. These programs are divided into three categories: 

• Quebec Skilled Workers Program
• Quebec Business Program
• Quebec Experience Program

6. Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is a province in Canada that helps both non-English and English speakers meet the country’s immigration goals, job applications and other criteria.

Saskatchewan’s provincial nominee programs are divided into three categories namely:

• The International Skilled Worker Category
• Entrepreneur Category
• Entrepreneur and Farm Category
• Saskatchewan Experience Category
• Students sub-category

7. Ontario

Ontario Provincial Nominee Program is run and managed by the Canadian government and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This program is classified into four categories namely:

• Ontario Express Entry
• Business Category
• Ontario General Category
• International Student Category

Conclusion

Canada has diverse job opportunities for both English and non-English speakers. In the above article, we have provided top tips for non-English speakers seeking employment in Canada. These tips include knowing and calculating your current CLB level, ways to choose the level of English that is acceptable to you, improving your English, and verifying your qualifications for immigrating to Canada. You can visit the official website of Canadian provinces that gives provincial nominee programs to see what is needed and how to apply.