Qualified work experience while studying: tips for achieving permanent residency

If you are an international student in Canada with a view to living in this lovely country after graduation, read this article to the end because in it we prepared a series of tips and recommendations that will help you obtain permanent residency before your post-graduation work permit expires. 

The secret is to get qualified work experience while studying, since the post-graduation work permit can in many cases be very short and therefore the time is not enough to accumulate such experience and this is exactly what the Canadian federal or provincial government will require after graduation. In a more practical way, the student must have worked in a professional or technical field related to the study while attending university or college. For example, a computer engineering student might begin to gain work experience doing software maintenance or installation in a telecommunications company. This qualifying experience is placed in the famous TEERS, which refers to training, education, experience and responsibility and is ranked from 0 to 5. For an international student, the job occupation must be at 0, 1, 2 or 3 to qualify. 

‍

Note that some provinces accept non-qualified TEERS experience such as 4 and 5 but for the purposes of this blog we will focus on qualified experience. 

‍

‍

Distinguish well the TEERS 0, 1, 2 and 3. 

‍

This is the first recommendation, if you recognize well the TEERS classification, (formerly NOC, National Occupational Classification of Occupations), then you will be able to know if the position you got is qualified or not. It may happen that you got a job in an office and it appeared to be a technical job in your field, perhaps a managerial or financial advisory type job, for example, when in fact it was an unskilled job and did not fall under TEERS 0, 1, 2 and 3, so it did not serve as qualifying experience for permanent residence. Remember that IRCC uses this classification system for its permanent residency plans. 

Why is it so important to gain work experience while studying?

Gaining skilled work experience in Canada while studying can add valuable points to your profile, significantly improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. 

Canada offers several pathways to permanent residency, the most popular being the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Express Entry system. Both programs place a high value on qualified work experience, and getting it while studying can be a determining factor in the success of your application. Let's recall a little about the characteristics of these schemes.

‍

‍

Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)

‍

Each province in Canada has its own nomination program, designed to attract people with skills and experience that contribute to the local economy. Many NPPs require applicants to have skilled work experience in in-demand occupations. Having this experience not only increases your chances of being nominated by a province, but also helps you establish contacts and build a professional network where you want to live.

‍

‍

Express Entry

‍

The Express Entry system is a fast-track selection process for permanent residency for qualified workers. Applicants are ranked on a point-based system that considers several factors, including work experience. 

‍

‍

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

_‍

One of the categories within the Express Entry system is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which is specifically designed for temporary workers and international students with Canadian work experience. To be eligible for CEC, you need at least one year of qualifying work experience in Canada. This experience must be obtained in an occupation classified as skill type 0, A or B according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC)/TEERS 0, 1, 2 or 3.

‍

‍

Search for job offers related to your study

‍

This is the second recommendation, since you know the TEERS of qualified jobs, save time and look for a job based on your studies. Be very careful! As mentioned at the beginning, the PGWP is very short (barely one year), so imagine gathering 10 months of experience only, while you find the job offer to start working, the time will go on and you will not have a chance to get the residency. Regardless of whether the permit is for two years or even three, Immiland's advice is that while you are studying, look for a job offer, a volunteer position, or whatever is linked to your study. A skilled job, a technical TEERS!

‍

Of course, we understand that looking for work while adhering to the 20-hour limit imposed by IRCC makes for a time crunch, as the work is done part-time and the student needs to make as much money as possible, but a good balance must be created.

‍

‍

Establishing a balance between producing money and accumulating work experience

‍

Here is our third recommendation, we know very well that, in Canada, when you work as a student, you practically live on tips. In fact, in my personal experience, I worked in different restaurants to pay for my studies and, although I must admit that I made good tips, I also knew that the work experience would be more useful than the money itself, so I worked in my last years in a law firm designing contracts and similar tasks. 

‍

So, you have to find a balance. If you have a two-year degree, work in any trade for a year and a half and the other months in a job that is Canadian experience. Even if it is an office job, as an assistant, even for free! but that allows you to start generating Canadian experience because it will be easier for you to enter the Canadian labor market. The key phrase is: connect with a professional job while studying. The benefits are multiple and the best thing is that you will get the desired stability in Canada, here are some advantages of applying to the different permanent residency plans.

‍

Advantages of the CEC

• Recognition of local experience: work experience gained in Canada is highly valued and gives you an advantage in the job market.
• Simplified process: Compared to other residency programs, the CEC has simpler documentation requirements and a faster application process.
• Cultural and professional adaptation: working in Canada helps you adapt to the country's cultural and professional environment, facilitating your transition to a permanent life here.

Other Immiland recommendations for permanent residence

Find professional or technical work in Canada

Finding qualified employment while in school may seem like a challenge, but with the right strategies, it is achievable. Here are some recommendations:

1. Use the services of your educational institution: many universities and colleges in Canada offer employment and counselling services. These services can help you find job opportunities, prepare your resume and practice for interviews.
2. Networking: Attend networking events, job fairs and professional workshops. Connecting with professionals in your field can open doors to career opportunities.
3. Employment platforms: use employment platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Workopolis to search for jobs in your field of study. Set up job alerts to receive notifications about new opportunities. Check out our job board.
4. Co-op and Internship Programs: participate in co-op and internship programs offered by your institution. These programs allow you to gain work experience while you study and, in many cases, are paid.
5. Employment agencies: Consider registering with employment agencies that specialize in your field. These agencies can help you find temporary or permanent employment.

Accommodating time to work while in class

Working while studying requires good time management, especially considering the hours limit imposed by IRCC, which allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during vacations.

How to manage time

1. Planning: Create a schedule that balances your studies, work and free time. Prioritize your academic responsibilities and make sure you meet deadlines.
2. Communication with the employer: inform your employer about your academic schedule and make sure that your work hours do not interfere with your classes and studies.
3. Use time off efficiently: take advantage of weekends and vacations to work longer hours, always respecting IRCC regulations.
4. Maintain good academic performance: remember that your main goal is to complete your studies. Make sure that working does not negatively affect your academic performance.

Ultimately, gaining qualified work experience while studying in Canada will not only improve your career prospects, it will also bring you closer to your goal of obtaining permanent residency. 

Immiland is a leading company in handling immigration matters for Canada. If you are an international student and need support with visa services, job placement, negotiation with your employer, study permit and any procedure for your stay in Canada, you can write to us at info@immilandcanada.com, a CICC regulated consultant will guide you for a successful process.

‍

With love,

‍

Immiland