- Authorities is asking stakeholders, ought to we “grandfather” (defend) college students already finding out in Canada at time of implementation?
- Goal of PGWP calibration is to make sure labour market outcomes linked to training and coaching
- Applications of examine can be coded to replicate hyperlinks occupations in long-term scarcity and Specific Entry eligibility
The Canadian authorities has despatched letters to all provinces consulting them on anticipated modifications to the post-graduate work allow (PGWP) program that at the moment, all worldwide graduates are capable of profit from.
With a transparent intent, as outlined within the letter, to “align PGWP eligibility with labour market wants whereas decreasing the general quantity of PGWP holders”, the federal government is making it clear that restrictions can be put in place as soon as its session concludes.
The query that’s more likely to get present worldwide college students frightened is that this: “What’s your view of making use of these labour market-based modifications to PGWP eligibility to all graduates upon announcement this yr, somewhat than grandfathering college students who’re already finding out in Canada on the time of implementation?”
If coverage changes have been rapid, it could be one other shock transfer after the announcement in January of a direct cap on enrolment numbers this yr.
It will imply college students would possibly face the prospect of being restricted from PGWP as a result of their space of examine doesn’t put together them to work in related industries the place there are labour pressure wants and shortages.
Different questions requested of provinces (colleges have been additionally consulted): “Which cohorts of scholars, if any, ought to be exempt from these modifications?”
“How typically ought to the occupational scarcity record be revised, and at what level thereafter ought to or not it’s utilized to college students whose examine is underway?”
Failing to offer affordable discover would trigger irreparable hurt
Earl Blaney
In keeping with one supply, final yr, 949,270 work permits have been issued, representing a 266% rise in eight years.
Many worldwide graduates are working in Canada and hoping to qualify with sufficient years’ related expertise to use for PR. However Coverage hawks, akin to Earl Blaney, have been flagging an actual danger that college students trapped in low-level jobs not linked to their levels is not going to be eligible and create a backlog of potential overstayers.
He instructed The PIE in 2023 that he believed there might be as much as 1,000,000 college students over the following three years whose PGWP entry expires and so they could also be liable to being deported.
In keeping with CBIE, there have been over 1 million worldwide college students in Canada on the finish of 2023 in any respect examine ranges, and citing a 2021 survey of scholars, 72.5% have been intending to use for PGWP and 60% have been intending to use for everlasting residency subsequently.
An instantaneous coverage change impacting college students already invested in Canada could be a shock however related fast selections have occurred beforehand within the UK and Australia.
Within the UK, the post-study work route was curtailed in April 2012 earlier than being reintroduced in 2019, with the APPG inquiry into its influence making fascinating studying.
In Australia, 20,000 expert immgration purposes have been cancelled in 2010 and visa charges have been refunded, with the immigration minister on the time noting that the Migration Occupations in Demand Listing (MODL)was outdated and so revoked with rapid impact.
Annual development charges within the VET sector had been 50% throughout 2007 and 2008.
Again in Canada, Blaney warned towards any drastic strikes to not “grandfather” present worldwide college students if PGWP guidelines change round discovering a job and staying in Canada.
“Change is required, however it could be extremely irresponsible to implement modifications of this magnitude with out due discover,” he instructed The PIE, highlighting a necessity for system stability.
“Failing to offer affordable discover would trigger irreparable hurt to the prospect of attracting new college students to particular packages with labour market outcomes deemed beneficial now.
“How might potential college students maintain any diploma of confidence that future modifications wouldn’t equally influence them mid-stream?”
