Maple News reports that immigrants who gain permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) enjoy stronger employment outcomes in Canada compared to those who arrive via the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
This insight comes from newly released studies by Statistics Canada in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The research highlights that a key factor contributing to the success of PNP and CEC immigrants is their previous experience as temporary foreign workers in Canada.
Many PNP and CEC candidates lived and worked in Canada prior to becoming permanent residents. This experience allowed them to adapt to Canadian workplace expectations, improve their language skills, and develop job market-relevant skills—all of which give them a competitive advantage upon obtaining permanent resident status.
In many cases, these individuals were also international students who progressed to the workforce through the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. Their educational background, combined with local work experience, positions them well to meet employer demands and integrate effectively into the labour market.
According to the study, approximately two-thirds of PNP and nearly all CEC candidates were temporary foreign workers before becoming permanent residents. In contrast, only 25% of FSWP and QSWP immigrants had prior Canadian work experience, which may partly explain their comparatively slower adaptation to the Canadian job market.
The findings underline the growing importance of Canadian work experience in immigration policy. Previous research also confirms that prior experience in Canada is a strong predictor of successful and timely integration into the labour force.
Employment outcomes back this up: 93% of PNP immigrants and 95% of CEC immigrants secured jobs in the first full year after becoming permanent residents. These numbers not only emphasize the effectiveness of these pathways but also suggest that temporary residency via work or study can serve as a strong foundation for long-term success in Canada.
As Canada continues to refine its immigration strategies, pathways that incorporate work and study experience — such as the PNP and CEC — are proving instrumental in building a more adaptable and job-ready immigrant workforce.