Immigrate to Canadian Provinces as a Teacher

With its vast population, high level of economic security, and safe cities, Canada is one of the perfect countries where you can start life afresh with your family. However, teaching is a high-demand skilled job and if you want to immigrate to Canadian provinces as a teacher, some steps and requirements are crucial. Lots of Canadian provinces such as Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta, among others, provide exclusive immigration routes to teachers at university and college levels.

A career in teaching is listed under high preference professions in Canada’s NOC (National Occupations Classifications) lists. Moreover, known for its high-standard education system, Canada requires teachers who have satisfactory work experience and capabilities to take up the vacant positions. Read on as we discuss the provinces where teachers are in high demand.

The Best Provinces in Canada to Get Teaching Jobs

You can immigrate to Canadian provinces as a teacher and get hired in countless cities and towns because there are numerous schools, colleges, and universities. However, getting a job in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia can be demanding due to the supply overpowering the demand. There’s a high probability of getting teaching jobs in regions with increasing populations because there’s a greater need for teachers

Moreover, there aren’t sufficient domestically-trained teachers to meet the local labor market demands. Therefore, many provinces invite internationally trained teachers as permanent residents to help improve the skill gaps. Dive in as we take you through in-demand teaching jobs in some Canadian provinces.

1. British Columbia: In-demand teaching jobs in British Columbia include university professors and lecturers, college and vocational teachers, and early childhood educators.

2. Quebec: In-demand teaching jobs in Quebec include university professors and lecturers, college and vocational teachers, post-graduate teaching assistants, high school or secondary school teachers, and elementary and kindergarten teachers. The annual average salary for a Teacher in Quebec is CA$ 71,450.

3. Alberta: In-demand teaching jobs in Alberta include university professors and lecturers. Teachers in Alberta earn an average salary of CA$ 80,850 per year.

4. Nova Scotia: In-demand teaching jobs in Nova Scotia include early childhood educators and assistants. Teachers in Nova Scotia earn an average salary of CA$ 28 per hour.

5. New Brunswick: In-demand teaching jobs in New Brunswick include university professors and lecturers.

6. Newfoundland and Labrador: In-demand teaching jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador include university professors and lecturers, and high school or secondary school teachers.

7. Prince Edward Island: In-demand teaching jobs in Prince Edward Island include university professors and lecturers. Teachers in Prince Edward Island earn an average salary between CA$ 24 and CA$ 46 per hour.

Best Routes to Immigrate to Canada as a Teacher

There are however different routes to apply for Canada PR as a teacher. Listed below are the top pathways you may select to live and work in Canadian provinces as a teacher.

1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Canadian provinces and territories are in demand for immigrants, especially teachers. Therefore, these provinces offer a provincial nominee program whereby immigrants can gain a pathway to permanent residence by accepting a nomination from the province where they plan to live and work. PNPs are available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

However, many of these provinces require teachers, so it will be in your best interest to do some research. This would enable you to discover which cities in your chosen province might be searching for new teachers. Meanwhile, each PNP has its special requirements, and you can qualify by obtaining a job offer from a specified employer in that province. Also, if you have been living temporarily in that province for some time with a study or work permit.

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is another route or pathway to permanent residence. Teaching is one of the skilled careers or jobs in Canada. However, to qualify for this immigration program, you need to,

1. Have a score of at least seven levels on an English or French language proficiency test.
2. Still be working, at least one ongoing year of full-time experience as a skilled worker.
3. Have education equivalent to or higher than a Canadian high school diploma.
4. Prepare to live and work outside of Quebec.

In addition, you can enhance your chances of getting picked for Express Entry by acquiring a Canadian teaching certification or a teaching job offer before immigrating to Canada. Also, your selection will depend on how well you know and understand the Canadian culture and education curriculum.

Requirements Needed as a Foreign Teacher in Canada

To be able to immigrate to a Canadian province as a teacher, You’ll need to obtain some important documents concerning your educational qualifications. These documents may include,

1. A qualified degree, diploma, or certificate: If you’re schooled outside of Canada, thereby acquiring a foreign credential, firstly, you need to be sure whether or not it’s acknowledged in Canada. If your degree, diploma, or certificate is acknowledged, you may likely need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), which would authenticate its legitimacy of meeting the Canadian standards.
2. Provincial teaching certificate: You’ll also need a provincial teaching certificate and a license, both of which you’ll obtain by joining a teacher’s association in your selected province or territory.
3. A police background clearance certificate which was issued not less than six months back.
4. Canada’s immigration service issues work visas and, if necessary, residence permits.
5. Fluency in English or French is essential for the province of Quebec.
6. Two positive references from either of your current or previous employers in the field of education.

Factors Determining Teacher’s Salary in Canada

Normally, a teacher’s salary should be determined by the number of years of post-secondary education and experience gathered. However, some other factors can influence a teacher’s salary. Now let’s check out those factors.

1. The Grade Level Your Capability Can Teach

Depending on the level you teach, an average teacher’s salary in Canada can differ. For example, a teacher in high school will earn more than a primary school teacher in Canada. A high school teacher earns an average salary of CA$ 43/hour while a primary school teacher earns an average of CA$ 40/hour.

2. Years of Teaching Experience

To qualify to teach in Canada, you need to meet the provincial or territorial requirements to obtain your teaching certificate. However, if you have previous teaching experience, your starting salary may be higher. You may also get a pay rise depending on your career stage, as a fresh graduate or you have several years of experience.

3. Acquiring Additional Qualifications

As an educationist, you must continue to learn, relearn, and unlearn. Teachers need to continuously develop themselves professionally and acquire additional qualifications. For example, you can get additional qualifications from the Ontario College of Teachers when you:  

• Add subjects or divisions that you are eligible to teach.
• Improve your knowledge of teaching in the French language system.
• Acquire knowledge to teach students with functional needs. 

Based on these additional qualifications, you can further expect an increment in your salary as a teacher.

4. Province or City Where You Teach

Oftentimes, you can find teaching jobs outside of large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. This makes it important to research what provinces are in high demand, and what cities are seeking for teachers. However, if you’re ready to move to a small or mid-sized city, you may discover more opportunities and potentially earn more money.

Mid 2022, Nunavut pays teachers the highest salaries while New Brunswick pays the lowest salaries for secondary school teachers. To get a better idea of which province pays the best salaries, it’s good to research individual cities. Toronto and London are great cities in Ontario to consider for teaching. Teachers in Ontario can expect to earn an average salary between CA$ 29 and CA$ 58 per hour.

Conclusion

Teachers are in high demand in several Canadian provinces where the local supply of educators isn’t enough to meet the labor market needs. Therefore, now is a good time to immigrate to Canadian provinces as a teacher but thorough research must be done. As an internationally-trained teacher, Canada’s different immigration programs offer you a thrilling and lucrative opportunity to permanently relocate to Canada.

Moreover, you can start your certification process even before your permanent residency is approved. This will enable you to secure a teaching job soon after you arrive in Canada. With a passion for teaching and the correct education pathway, you can secure a high-paying teaching job in Canada.