British Columbia

Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants program helps newcomers find employment.

If you are relatively new to British Columbia and Canada, you may be having difficulty finding employment here for many reasons, including that:

  • You are still learning how B.C.’s labor market works
  • Your qualifications may not be recognized
  • You may need to upgrade your English language skills.

If you’re eligible, Career Paths can help you to:

  • Assess your skills, qualifications, and experience.
  • Get information, advice, and guidance to help you build your career plan.
  • Learn how to look for work and understand the Canadian workplace culture.
  • Improve your language skills and upgrade other skills required by employers in your industry.
  • Understand the certification requirements of your occupation if it is regulated and connect with the agencies that establish the regulations for your occupation.
  • Access hands-on workplace experience through practicums, temporary employment, mentoring and other approaches.

The program has three streams

You may be able to upgrade your skills and credentials through one of Career Path’s 3 streams:

  • Stream 1: You have education and experience in an in-demand occupation in BC and require language or skill upgrading.
  • Stream 2: You need assistance with upgrading your credentials for an occupation regulated in BC
  • Stream 3: You need assistance with upgrading for an unregulated BC occupation.

The supports you get will depend on the stream you are in. To learn more about each stream, visit the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program page.

You may be eligible for Career Paths if you:

  • became a permanent resident of Canada within the last five years
  • are certified in a profession, trade or skilled occupation from your home country or have a minimum of three years of work experience in a profession, trade or high-skill occupation prior to coming to Canada. If you are between the ages of 19 to 30 years old, you only need a minimum of one year of work experience in a profession, trade or high skill occupation prior to coming to Canada.
  • have an intermediate to advanced level of English language proficiency
  • are unemployed and not receiving Employment Insurance or BC Employment Assistance or you are working in a job that is not in your field

The program is delivered by frontline service providers, who will guide you through the application process.

Last updated: April 9, 2021