Would you like to relocate to Canada as a teacher? No worries! We have prepared this article to answer all your questions regarding how to secure a teaching job in Canadian schools. Meanwhile, working as a teacher in Canada has a whole lot of opportunities for both professional and personal growth.
Undoubtedly, Canada is a beautiful country with its nice and captivating provinces marked by their significant qualities. Due to its diverse cities, the country offers a distinctive blend of cultural experiences and benefits. This makes it an appealing choice for foreigners to relocate to Canada as teachers and immerse themselves in a vibrant and inclusive society.
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In this article, we will discuss some of the top provinces in Canada that need qualified teachers. And also educate you on how you can relocate to Canada as a teacher. Let’s dive in!
Top Canadian Provinces In Need Of Teachers
Teachers are well taken care of in Canada, not only do they earn very attractive salaries but they also have great work benefits. When you relocate to Canada as a teacher, you’ll have the opportunity to earn an average salary of $68,300 per year. However, you can earn as much as $97,000 based on your work experience, qualifications, and level of profession.
Furthermore, you’ll also be entitled to fantastic benefits like employment insurance, sick and compassionate leave, paid parental leave, and lots more. Keep in mind that choosing the right city or province to immigrate to in Canada is as important as choosing the right immigration program. Therefore, you must be aware of the right immigration program that best suits your circumstances.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the top provinces in Canada that need teachers. However, some other provinces not on our list are also open for job opportunities. Scroll down!
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1. Alberta
Alberta is one of the provinces in Canada that is highly in need of teachers, especially in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. According to the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Board of Education, the largest public school district in the province, evaluates a shortage of over 250 teachers every year for the next five years.
Furthermore, the data shows that there’s every possibility for the demand to skyrocket as the population grows and aged teachers retire. Thereby creating a gap in a variety of subjects. The government of Alberta has created programs to increase the number of post-secondary seats in teacher education programs. This is basically to address the shortage issue and meet the growing demand for teachers in Canada.
2. Ontario
The most populated province in Canada is Ontario and it accounts for over 35% of the country’s population. Despite the large population, the province still has a shortage of fully certified teachers in various areas. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB), which is the largest school district in Canada, has a shortage of over 280 teachers every year.
As such, foreign-trained individuals have the opportunity to relocate to Canada as teachers. In addition, Ontario’s government has created some measures like student loan forgiveness programs and the development of a central job-posting platform. This is in a bid to attract more teachers to the province.
3. Quebec
Predominantly, Quebec is a French-speaking province and it offers unique opportunities for bilingual teachers. Quebec has a distinct cultural identity, as well as vibrant cities like Montreal and Quebec City. Furthermore, this province has implemented a plan of 5 years, to hire over 950 teachers to cover education gaps in the region.
While focusing specifically on educational regions that are experiencing the most severe shortages. Additionally, Quebec has introduced schemes to address the shortage of substitute teachers. This is in line with government policies that prioritize the employment of education students who are registered under certification programs.
4. British Columbia
In British Columbia, there is a shortage of underqualified specialty teachers, especially in rural areas. When compared to other provinces, British Columbia has low pay scales creating low job satisfaction and unwillingness among teachers to work in the region.
Therefore, to improve the situation, the province’s government has implemented different measures to allow foreigners to relocate to Canada as teachers. Furthermore, other measures implemented include the expansion of on-the-job training for a teaching career and incentives to boost provincial salaries.
5. Saskatchewan
The shortage of teachers in Saskatchewan has particularly affected rural communities. Meanwhile, the province has emphasized the need to graduate over 3,500 teachers by 2025 to address this shortage.
Part of the efforts to manage this issue has led to the establishment of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Internship Program. Basically, to bridge the gap between the number of student teachers and graduates who acquire a full certification.
6. Nunavut
Nunavut is a Canadian province that offers a captivating opportunity for teachers. Not only does this province require teachers, but it also provides the highest salaries for highly qualified and experienced professionals. Meanwhile, this is because of its remote location, high cost of living, and strong demand for teachers. Working as a school teacher in Nunavut, you can earn approximately $61,500 per year.
Although, there may be some variations based on the province and teaching level. When adapting to Nunavut’s environment, you’ll need to make some adjustments, as it provides a distinctive opportunity to cultivate unique teaching experiences while earning a good wage in Canada. Therefore, if you want to relocate to Canada as a teacher, Nunavut is an excellent starting point for you!
How To Relocate To Canada As A Teacher
As a foreign-trained teacher, the immigration process to relocate to Canada can be demanding. However, we have compiled several immigration programs to help you streamline the immigration process. Below are some of the most popular immigration programs that a foreign-trained teacher can use to relocate to Canada. Scroll down!
1. Express Entry
The Express Entry program is created for skilled workers who intend to live in Canada permanently. It is a streamlined pathway for skilled professionals, including teachers, to relocate to Canada successfully. Furthermore, candidates are evaluated according to factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. So, if you have the relevant qualifications and experience as a teacher, it can increase your chances of obtaining permanent residency through this program.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provinces and territories in Canada have their separate immigration programs under the Provincial Nominee Program. Meanwhile, these programs often permit provinces to nominate candidates who have the skills and experience that match their specific labor market needs. Provinces are actively looking for teachers and they usually offer pathways through their respective PNP streams.
3. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)
AIP is created to attract skilled workers to the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Teachers can also benefit from this program, it offers expedited processing, and extra support is given to candidates in designated occupations.
4. The Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot
The rural and northern immigration pilot is designed to bring skilled workers to rural and northern communities all across Canada. If you are a teacher and interested in teaching in smaller towns or remote areas, you should consider exploring this program. It will serve as a pathway to work and live in communities actively seeking your expertise.
Obtaining Your Work Visa In Canada
After you’ve been invited to work in Canada, you must first obtain your work visa. Meanwhile, you can apply for your work permit from your home country or just within Canada. The application process may vary depending on your country of origin and the type of work permit you’re applying for.
Furthermore, the most popular work permit for teachers is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) permit, which allows a teacher to work in Canada for a specified period. Teachers can also apply for this permit through the International Mobility Program.
How To Work As A Teacher In Canada
If you want to work as a teacher in Canada, you will need to obtain a degree from an accredited institution. Also, you may need to provide the certification and qualifications required by the province you intend to work in. Although the requirements vary by province, it includes the steps below. Scroll down!
1. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Teachers who possess foreign qualifications will need to have their educational credentials assessed by a designated organization. This is to ensure that the degree is equivalent to Canadian standards.
2. Teacher Certification
For each province, there’s a specific teacher certification process. It often includes an evaluation of educational credentials, completion of certification courses, as well as teaching practicum requirements.
3. Language Proficiency
You need to be proficient in English or French language in Canada. As a foreign-trained teacher, you may be required to provide evidence of language proficiency through standardized tests like IELTS or CELPIP.
Conclusion
Canada is a wonderful country to work, live, and study in. And if you are a foreign-trained teacher looking for new opportunities, you should consider one of the provinces that need teachers. These provinces include Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
Furthermore, to relocate to Canada as a teacher, you can explore the various immigration programs available, such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.