I've just come across the IEC programme, which is of real interest to me but I ideally want to move to Canada permanently. I'm currently in my final year of university doing a BA honours, and want to move out to Canada permanently. Would it be right to assume that if I am selected for the IEC programme, I can use my time out there to find a permanent job with which I can then gain an extended work permit with the view do being permanent in Canada? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

So what type of job will a BA (Honours) equip you to do? Canada already has a plethora of BAs looking for work in Call Centres, clerking in banks, retailing and other minimum wage jobs. If you're contemplating teaching, think again. Canada is well able to fund its teaching requirements from within. If your degree has equipped you to install/repair plumbing, rewire a house/industrial plant or construction in high-rise buildings then you should be okay.

I'm currently studying International business. I understand it may be hard to find work, but with that being said is it possible to find one during my IEC year? Would finding one during that year allow me to stay in Canada beyond the IEC year?

If not, what is the best way to gain a work permit and to stay there permanently?

Govt is introducing a new scheme next year called Express Entry. Typically, one year of experience in a professional field, FSW or PNP have been some standard roads in, plus having an employer sponsor you too of course..

Good luck

The trouble will be that as a new graduate, you may struggle to convince an employer to go to the hassle/cost of sponsoring you. But, all you can do is give it a go and hope that you impress enough in your time with them so they want to keep you on.

Do also look at the PNPs and see which province may give you the best chance of PR, for example Ontario is probably not an option due to a very onerous and costly PNP program for the employer.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing this will be tough though with me being just graduated?

Thanks. Sp during my IEC year when I am applying for jobs I will need sponsorship from the employer regardless of who they are?

I have a BTEC Diploma in Business Studies, landed in Saskatchewan in 2012 with my IEC permit. Got a job with an agri business company who sponsored me for PNP, application is now with CIC and I'm waiting final decision. It can be done, you need to go to the right provinces (AB, SK, MB)

IEC would get you over here and able to work and give time to find an employer.

Not on your IEC, no. That's an open work permit, so you can work for anybody without them having to do anything special to hire you.

It's only if you want to stay longer term (switch to a normal TWP or apply for PR) that you'd need your employers help.

HTH.

I came here on a Working Holiday visa (IEC). I found work in my professional field (IT). The employer helped me get a work permit for when the IEC visa expired. They then helped me get Provincial Nomination, which I used to apply for Permanent Residency. I left them once I got that, and now I'm almost completed my Citizenship application.

Was all pretty straightforward. However, I did have over 10 years in my field when arrived here. New graduates are ten-a-penny, here in Calgary at least.

Good luck.

Whatever your ambition, the IEC cannot harm it, however you must understand that it IEC is not intended as a shortcut to skilled immigration in canada and that the job market in canada is tough, particularly for new graduates. However, one reason immigrants struggle is lack of Canadian experience. The IEC can give you this so is a definite step in the right direction. Note also that you can apply for a second IEC visa, which if you are successful could give you two years in canada, without employer sponsorship. Good luck!

That's brilliant congrats. So when you first went over on the IEC permit, what kind of work were you doing and how did you find it? Or did you jumo straight in with the agri business company. I will want some kind of job to just see me turning over money whilst I try and find that permanent one. Do you have any tips in how I can find a job before I head out?

Thanks for the info. Did you have that job lined up before you left the UK? How would you recommend I find work for when I arrive, even if it isn't career orientated? Thanks

No, did not have the job lined up before I arrived. Landed in Calgary, and just started mailing out applications to jobs listed on job boards like Indeed, Monster etc. Landed that first job in about 3 weeks.