Top Industries for Newcomer Grads in Canada: From First Job to Permanent Residency

Canada’s immigration system now prioritizes certain in-demand occupations – notably in healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and agri-food – through category-based Express Entry draws. What does this mean? In plain terms, if you gain just 6+ months of work experience in one of these fields, you could qualify for an immigration invite with a lower CRS score than normally required. In fact, category-based selection in 2025 often had much more forgiving score cut-offs compared to generic draws. This creates a golden chance for newcomers: by choosing the right sector and employer, you can build your career and secure your future in Canada at the same time.

This article will explore four priority sectors – Healthcare, STEM, Skilled Trades, and Agri-food – and highlight examples of top employers known for hiring young talent in each. These employers (many featured in Canada’s “top employers for young people 2026” list) offer not only jobs but also mentorship, training, and support that can be invaluable for newcomers integrating into the workforce. We’ll also give tips on how to confirm if a job you’re eyeing fits one of the PR-supportive categories. Think of this as your roadmap to aligning your career path with your immigration goals, all while gaining great professional experience in Canada.

If you have a background in healthcare or social services, you’re in luck – Canada urgently needs talent in these areas, and they’re rewarding newcomers who step up. The Express Entry category for healthcare covers a broad range of roles: doctors and nurses, of course, but also pharmacists, medical lab techs, physiotherapists, veterinarians, social workers, and more. These are roles that directly serve communities, and the Canadian system is actively inviting candidates with this experience to become permanent residents.

For new grads, this means starting your career in healthcare can pay off doubly. Not only are you likely to find ample job openings (from hospitals to clinics to non-profits), but your experience can count towards a PR invite. Some top employers in this sector go the extra mile to nurture young and diverse talent. For example, children’s hospitals and rehabilitation centers like Holland Bloorview in Toronto offer specialized programs for young professionals – including dedicated placements for Indigenous students and those with disabilities. Major hospitals (such as Toronto’s SickKids) invest in graduate nurse residency programs and research fellowships that hire dozens of new graduates each year. These programs often come with mentorship, additional training, and even funding for further education.

Government and public health agencies are also worth a look. Health Canada, for instance, runs a Young Professionals Network and has initiatives to bridge students into permanent roles. This means if you intern or co-op with them during or after school, you might get fast-tracked into a full-time job without reapplying externally. Even veterinary chains (like VCA Canada) are on the list of youth-friendly employers, offering mentorship for newly licensed vets and technologists. The theme across these examples is support and growth: employers in healthcare often provide on-the-job training and support for newcomers adjusting to Canadian workplace standards. By starting your career in healthcare or social services, you not only enter a field with stable demand – you also tick the box for Express Entry’s healthcare category, positioning yourself for a quicker route to PR.

STEM fields have long been a ticket to career success, and now they’re also a ticket to faster immigration outcomes. Canada’s Express Entry introduced a broad STEM category encompassing engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), IT professionals, software developers, cybersecurity experts, and even roles like architecture and science managers. Interestingly, it even includes some less obvious titles like insurance analysts, highlighting how wide-ranging this category is. If you’re a tech or engineering grad, focusing your job search on roles under this umbrella can be highly strategic.

Many of Canada’s top employers are hungry for young STEM talent and are known to hire and groom newcomers. Consider large engineering firms and tech companies – they often run structured graduate programs. For example, AtkinsRéalis (an engineering consultancy) has an 18-month Odyssey program for new grads that blends technical training with mentorship and networking opportunities. Consulting firms like LEA Consulting offer rotational programs, letting new engineers try out different departments to gain broad experience. These kinds of programs are fantastic for newcomers because they provide built-in mentorship and a community of peers, easing your transition into the Canadian workplace.

In tech and IT, companies like Sophos (a cybersecurity firm) or Hitachi Rail’s tech division have well-established intern and new-grad onboarding programs. They might pair you with a mentor, hold “ask me anything” sessions with executives, or run hackathons and showcases for interns to demonstrate their work to hiring managers. Utilities and energy companies (e.g., BC Hydro) also seek diverse STEM graduates and often have inclusion programs – BC Hydro specifically partners with Indigenous communities and supports employees with disabilities, indicating a welcoming culture for all backgrounds. By landing a job in a STEM role, you’ll be contributing to cutting-edge projects and checking off a priority category for PR. The experience you gain – whether it’s building software or improving infrastructure – will make you a strong candidate in Canada’s eyes. And with many STEM employers actively cultivating young talent, you’ll find plenty of support to grow your skills and network

Skilled trades are an often-overlooked career path for newcomers, yet they offer excellent employment prospects and now an Express Entry advantage as well. Canada’s category for Trades includes a wide range of hands-on occupations: electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists, carpenters, and more, along with construction managers and supervisors. These are the folks building and maintaining Canada’s infrastructure, and there’s a consistent need for more. For international graduates who have training in these fields (or are open to apprenticeship routes), the trades can be a fast track to a good income and permanent residency.

A number of prominent Canadian companies in construction and manufacturing are known for their youth training programs. PCL Construction, for instance, hires students and new grads into a PCL Student Program where you get paired with a supervisor and a buddy, working on real projects. They also offer accelerated programs for those aiming to become site superintendents or estimators, blending leadership training with technical skill development. Another example: ArcelorMittal Dofasco, a steel manufacturer, partners with local colleges to run robust apprenticeship programs – you get paid while doing on-the-job training and coursework, leading to journeyperson certification. These apprenticeships are often open to permanent residents and citizens; if you’re a newcomer with status or working towards it, they are an amazing way to gain Canadian credentials.

Energy companies like ATCO or pipeline operators like Gibson Energy have engineer-in-training programs and even programs for those pursuing trades tickets or accounting designations. The key takeaway is that skilled trades and related fields actively recruit young talent and often provide a clear progression path (with mentors, rotations, etc.). For newcomers, there’s the added bonus that many trades are license-based, which puts international and local candidates on more equal footing once you get certified. By investing early in getting a Canadian trade certification or joining a company that will help you get one, you not only secure a well-paying job, but you also land squarely in an Express Entry category draw that could invite you for PR with a comparatively lower score threshold. It’s a win-win route for those inclined toward hands-on work.

The Agriculture and Agri-food category in Express Entry is quite narrow – as of 2026 it primarily targets butchers (retail and wholesale) as the eligible occupation. This might sound surprising, but it reflects a real need in Canada’s food processing and grocery sectors for skilled meat cutters and food production line workers. So, if you happen to have training in culinary arts, butchery, or food processing, this could be an avenue to explore. It’s a more niche path, but worth mentioning for completeness and for those who have family backgrounds or interest in this area.

Large grocery chains like Loblaw Companies (which owns supermarkets across Canada) do hire for these roles and often have internship or co-op programs in various departments, including in-store roles and supply chain. They provide career growth resources and even mentoring programs for students/new grads to learn different parts of the business. Another major employer, Maple Leaf Foods – one of Canada’s biggest food processing companies – runs a three-year leadership track for graduates, which includes plant tours, mentorship from senior staff, and even a reverse mentorship program where new interns teach seasoned employees about fresh perspectives. While these corporate programs aren’t exclusively for butchery, they show that agri-food companies invest in young talent.

If your passion or background lies in the food industry, starting at a company like these might position you for a steady career and eventually meet the criteria for PR under the agri-food category. However, keep in mind this is a specific route – it won’t apply to most newcomers unless you have that specialized skill set. For the majority, the earlier categories (health, STEM, trades) will be more relevant. Still, Canada’s food sector is a pillar of the economy, and those who do enter it often find a strong sense of community and teamwork on the job – plus, who doesn’t appreciate the folks who keep our grocery stores stocked?

Landing a job is exciting, but before you assume it will boost your PR chances, double-check that the role fits the Express Entry category criteria. Here are some quick steps to ensure your work experience will count toward those targeted draws:

By doing this homework, you won’t be caught off guard when Express Entry draws happen. You’ll know that your hard-earned work experience is ticking the right boxes.

By entering fields that Canada is actively supporting through immigration (healthcare, STEM, trades, etc.), you set yourself up for both professional growth and a smoother PR process. The employers and programs we highlighted show that many Canadian organizations are eager to hire young people and newcomers, offering mentorship, training, and a welcoming community. Whether you’re treating patients, coding software, fixing engines, or even carving steaks, your contributions are valued – and Canada wants to keep talent like you around.

As you plan your next steps, think about where your passion meets opportunity. Maybe it’s taking that hospital internship, or applying to the new grad program at a tech firm, or signing up for an apprenticeship. Every bit of Canadian work experience you gain in a priority sector is more than just a job – it’s building your case to stay here long-term. Network within your industry, take advantage of any newcomer support initiatives (like bridging programs or mentorship circles), and always keep an eye on how your role lines up with immigration pathways. With a solid strategy and hard work, you’ll be on your way to thriving in your career and calling Canada your permanent home

Until next time,