I came across this one......
If your occupation was accepted for immigration to Canada, does that mean you have to work necessarily in the occupation that you stated in your application?
When you thought about immigrating to Canada using the Federal Skilled Workers program, you probably found on the Internet a list of occupations that were subject to immigration. After finding your occupation in this list, you were sure that your occupation would be in demand in Canada. Then you made an assessment of your diploma and got a message that it met Canadian standards. Based on the above, you thought that there would be no problems with a job in Canada.
But you are wrong.
At the Toronto Conference of Internationally Educated Professionals, the speaker, Mr. Nick Noorani, the author of the book for new immigrants, Arrival Survival Canada, announced seven secrets of success in Canada. One of the secrets is a plan "B", which each immigrant has to have. By this he meant a second occupation which can be used if your first occupation is not in demand.
Most immigrants do not plan to change careers in Canada and this is clear: you have the education and experience in your field; you have some ideas and achievements, references from previous employers, perhaps inventions, and even degrees. In addition, a change of occupation is a painful procedure: the "stress scale" of American psychiatrist Thomas Szasz, indicates that changing your occupation is at the same level as divorce! However, statistics show that over 60% of immigrants change their occupations in the first year after arriving in Canada. Some did it temporarily and some changed it forever.
What could force you to change your occupation in Canada? See below the most common reasons:
• You can not find work in your field.
• You have problems obtaining a Canadian license.
• You need a high level of English for your occupation.
• You worked as manager prior to departure and in Canada now it is not possible.
• Your occupation is not in demand in Canada.
• You have a difficult financial situation and urgently need a job.
• Going to Canada, you dreamed about a new career.
Of course, usually you would not want to change the occupation you love but you have to know that domestic Canadians also change their occupation when the situation forces them to. So, turn over your workbook and review your diplomas. Perhaps at first you studied in college and worked as a technician; then you studied at the university and worked as an engineer, or went into your own business. After reading your workbook, you will certainly find one or two other occupations which could be considered as plan “B”.
Look over the site, www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/research/lsic/section7.asp, which shows how immigrants changed their occupations in Canada in 2010. While 23% of immigrants before departure worked in the field of science and engineering, only 15% of them retained their profession after coming to Canada.
Upon arrival, most immigrants take jobs from group number nine of the Canadian occupations classification, which includes such positions as shift foreman, machine operator, and factory assembler.
Before immigration only 4% of newcomers worked in such field; after 6 months of immigration, this number grows 5 times (20%).
Many immigrants took positions from group number six: “Sales and Service Occupations”. After the arrival, one out of four (25% of the immigrants) used this group of occupations but before immigration, only 9% people worked in this field.
What is better in career transition: to look for alternative occupations using your existing education and job experience, or to strive for a completely new career? It is your choice. There are special programs for immigrants who want to change their occupation. You will be tested and they will let you know what kind of work is better for you. To change your occupation, you may need to go back to school or get training in the workplace.
