Immigrants working in regulated occupations

By Danielle Zietsma

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Immigrants who studied for work in a regulated occupation outside Canada were less likely to be working in that occupation in 2006 than either immigrants who had studied in Canada, or those who were born in Canada.

In 2006, 24% of foreign-educated immigrants with fields of study that would normally lead to work in a regulated occupation were working in the associated profession. This compares to a 62% match rate among the Canadian-born.

While foreign-educated immigrants were less likely to work in the regulated occupations for which they studied, this discrepancy narrowed with time spent in Canada. However, this discrepancy was still evident after immigrants had been in Canada for more than 10 years.

The match rate of immigrants into regulated occupations varied by field of study. Immigrants with fields of study in health professions had higher match rates than those who studied to be teachers, engineers and lawyers.

Among immigrants who were not working in the regulated occupation for which they studied, many had higher levels of education than normally required for the jobs they held in 2006. More than 1 in 10 worked in jobs that normally require no formal schooling.

• Danielle Zietsma

• Immigrants education and required job skills
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