There is good news and then there is even better news. Let’s start with the good news; The food manufacturing industry in Canada is large and growing. Now you might be wondering how this good news is to me? Well, Canada needs immigrants to fill the vacancies in its labor market, especially in the food industry.
In other words, if you are considering immigrating to Canada, there are literally thousands of jobs in Canada for foreign workers in food production; From pickers and factory workers to butchers and farmworkers in general, the opportunities are plentiful. Let’s move on to even better news; You can become a permanent resident of Canada by working in the food processing industry.
Through specially designed immigration programs such as the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFP) and Atlantic Immigration Pilot (PIA), the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRCC ) seeks to fill the gaps in its growing labor market by offering the permanent residence. . to its dedicated foreign workers and workers in Canada. Let’s take a look at the positions available in the industry and how these immigration programs work.
Food Processing Jobs in Canada
It only takes a quick online search to see that there are hundreds of thousands of jobs in Canada. The key is to find the right position in the right province that is most beneficial to your goal of becoming a permanent resident in Canada. The two most important things to apply to become a permanent resident are a valid job offer in an occupation that Canada must fill and, in fact, be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
Food Processing Jobs
- Machine operator – no specific training is required for these positions as on-the-job training is often provided, however, the previous experience can be helpful. Wages vary depending on the level of expertise required to operate the machinery but traditionally are between $13-$22 an hour.
- Food production laborer – from sausage wrappers to mushroom sorters, jobs in various food manufacturing facilities still require a lot of human capital. Wages are around $17 an hour
- Equipment cleaner – Hygiene is very important, especially in countries like Canada with strict health codes and regular visits from health inspectors. Equipment cleaners make around $15 an hour.
- Food processing supervisor – Identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards during the food production process requires accountability and wages reflect that. Supervisors in food production earn an average of $33 an hour.
- Quality control/assurance officer – maintaining and ensuring standards are adhered to is a vital role, especially in the food industry as mistakes can damage companies’ reputations. QA officers typically earn around $24 an hour.
Jobs for Butchers
- Industrial Butcher – dependant on experience, you can earn between $18 and $30 an hour as an industrial butcher in Canada. This is one of the most in-demand occupations at the moment, industrial butchery is a difficult and respected profession, not enough Canadians are entering, which is why the IRCC is specifically targeting foreign workers for this occupation for permanent residency.
- Retail Butcher – the more glamorous division of the profession, wrapping meats and interfacing with customers is the order of the day. Wages range from $16 to $20 an hour depending on experience and responsibilities.
Farm Workers and Supervisor Jobs
Although not strictly in the food processing sector, these professions have been included in the AFIP and are therefore also worth considering if you are interested in obtaining permanent residence in Canada.
- Farm and livestock supervisor – only a high school qualification is necessary, however, experience is the key to earning a good wage in this occupation. Your hourly earning potential will be between $18 and $28 an hour depending on your level of experience and ability. A wholesome and rewarding career as a farm supervisor could be waiting for you in the countryside so beautiful going to work won’t be a job, it will be a pleasure. Bring your experience or start from the bottom as a general worker. In Canada, hard work is noticed and rewarded.
- General Farm Worker – this can also take on the role of the harvester. If you secure a job offer as a harvester the key is to get a permanent job, as a lot of offers are seasonal. A good permanent position will pay between $12 and $21 an hour. No qualifications are required, but as you will be growing and cultivating crops, qualifications will mean better wages and one step closer to becoming a supervisor.
Your Immigration Options
Once you have a valid job offer and are sure you are eligible to immigrate to Canada, you can begin your immigration application. The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, which was launched in June 2020, is a three-year program that will invite 2,750 foreign workers each year who have job offers or are working in Canada to apply for permanent residence. Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so act quickly to avoid disappointment.
| Annual Limits | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Applications accepted for permanent residency |
| Farm supervisor and specialized livestock worker | 50 |
| Industrial butcher or retail butcher | 1,470 |
| Food processing worker | 730 |
| General farm worker | 200 |
| Harvesting laborer | 300 |
Atlantic Immigration Pilot was formed by the Canadian Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. The pilot project aims to address critical labor shortages in these four beautiful provinces by providing candidates with valid full-time employment or permanent residency offers. In general, you should:
- Have work experience in a job that requires a high school education and/or specific on the job training;
- Have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma;
- Score a minimum of 4 on a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test to show you can communicate effectively in English or French; and
- Show you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada.