Hi experts!
Like the original poster, I am an IT professional - a software developer (I believe the Canadians call us software engineers!)
I have a computing bachelor's degree and 11 years industry experience as a professional developer, currently using C#, as well as several Microsoft developer certifications. My wife has a doctorate in Chemistry and currently works as a research scientist.
We each comfortably have more than the required 67 points.
Earlier this year we both looked at the possibility of moving to Canada (Vancouver ideally), only to be told at an immigration fayre that since our professions didn't quite fit in the 38 occupations (I don't have management experience and my wife doesn't have enough teaching experience to fit) we would be unable to apply as federal skilled workers.
I do have an elderly great uncle living in Vancouver but he's a bit old for reliably asking to sponsor us under a family visa. My wife has a cousin in New Bromswick but apparently cousins are ineligible for sponsorship for family visas.
So a little frustrating!
So currently our best option will be to save up money and just go for a long holiday and hope to strike lucky once we are over there by one of us finding a job with a work permit so we can apply for our permanent residents visa once over there.
Although we'd like to settle around Vancouver, we are considering perhaps moving to Calgary/Alberta initially where there are possibly more IT jobs.
Would be very interested to know if there's any formal review date of the current list of 38 occupations. I feel my wife and I have a lot of experience, skills and qualifications we could offer Canada, so are presently intending to watch the 38 occupation list closely.
Best wishes.