Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Hi all!

I have been looking into finally fulfilling my dream and moving to Canada. I'm also considering going into teaching (particularly 11-18's, chemistry or other sciences). I have a bachelors in science already, and if i were to be a teacher here in UK, next step is a PGCE.

My question is, to any who know more than me, is it worth me staying here to do the PGCE before the move, or to get a study visa to do the equivilent qualification in canada and then apply for work and permenant residency once i complete the necessary qualifications?

Any other threads I've seen on this are quite old now so i dont know how much the situations have changed etc so just looking for any information that is current, or at least recent.

My priority is getting to Canada, more than teaching, but my other qualifications are somewhat limited so this seems like the most plausible route to get in, from my research so far.

Thank you
Caleb.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Hi, welcome to BE.

Unless things have changed in the past year or so, teaching isn't a great route to Canada tbh. If your main aim is a move to Canada rather than a lifelong desire to become a teacher, then I'd look at something else (engineering, construction or medicine would all be good). That's if you need something else at all - are you sure you don't qualify for a visa already??

Here is the most recent thread I could find just in case you haven't already seen it - https://britishexpats.com/forum/cana...a-help-936485/

A lot of the previous threads will reference our Wiki article about it, but sadly the Wiki has since been removed, here's a link to a cached version of that page - https://web.archive.org/web/20230207...hing_in_Canada

HTH, good luck.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

I will admit I don't know for certain if I do of don't currently. my circumstances at home have changed somewhat very recently and ive kind of jumped at this chance to make the dream a reality. But thus i havent done extrnsive research as of yet, and i didnt realise teaching wasnt a great route. I only know that my other skills are sorely lacking tbh, ive worked in warehouses, retail, and hospitality for almost my whole life. I have a degree but haven't used it, and I have some low level accountancy qualifications (but not enough to be considered an 'accountant').

I do have a parent that lives out there so I assume that would work in my favour, but aside from that I guess I need to do a little more research I to what my options are as I have no other transferable skills at present.

Thank you for the swift reply tho, I will be sure to check out the other thread you suggested too :-)

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Personal question I know, but how old are you? And which province does your parent live in, and what is their status in Canada (temporary visa, PR, citizen)?

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

I am 34, 35 in September, and my parent has PR in Nova Scotia

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Aha! As you're under 36, you have an easy and quick route available to you which is great. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...b-wh#selection

Unfortunately your parent is of no use to you (from a visa point of view, I'm sure they're very useful in other ways!).

Good luck.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Ahh thats awesome! Buts only temporary... is it possible to apply for PR during this time? Or is it more of a case of 'this will be looked on favourably' kind of a deal if i apply for PR later?

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

It's absolutely possible. Obviously it will help with your point score as you'll have work in Canada (just make sure it's skilled work), so you're more likely to qualify, but there's no 'looked on favourably' - you either meet the criteria for PR or you don't.

It seems like your best option from what you've said, if your aim is to move to Canada, but do give more info on your previous jobs and qualifications if you want somebody to double check there's no other obvious route.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

One last quick question (thank you so much for your help so far, and the warm welcome :-) ), but im not 100% on what classes as skilled work, and what doesnt, is there a list if examples somewhere that i have just missed?

Thank you again

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

There isn't a list as it's thousands of jobs. You just need to check which NOC code/Tier your jobs come under - if they're Tier 0, 1, 2, or 3 then they're skilled. If they're Tier 4 or 5 then they're not so won't count for points purposes - but if the province you wish to move to has a low skilled or semi-skilled stream, then they may still be a way to get a visa anyway. But ideally you'd make sure any job is skilled to give yourself the most possible options (and you'll be surprised at what counts as skilled).

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...tion-code.html

HTH.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

While immigration falls under federal jurisdiction (the Government of Canada oversees immigration requirements), teaching falls under the provincial jurisdiction. Each province (and territory) governs its education separately from one another. Ontario governs its education quite differently than British Columbia. Alberta governs its education quite differently than Quebec. And so on. You'll have to look up what each province requires to become a teacher. It will be different from one province to the next. This goes for most day-to-day living in Canada. Often it's the provincial government, not the federal government, who oversees the daily stuff - road rules, taxes, education, healthcare, etc. Each province is governed differently from the next. So where you end up in Canada matters. The provincial rules/regulations/systems will play a bigger role once you're here.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

AFAIK there is no post-graduate PGCE type of entry into teaching in Canada. The only entry is through doing a teaching degree in Canada or getting a foreign teaching degree assessed - and likely having to do some courses to fill in any assessed gaps. Google "Teaching Union / Association + Province of choice" as everything is provincially regulated rather than federally. Note that teaching is a unionised profession across Canada and seniority is king (or queen). Thus a newly qualified teacher has to, in most circumstances, build up seniority through substitute and short term contract teaching until they have a hope of getting a full time permanent position. I know teachers here in Newfoundland who have been teaching for years and are on year to year contracts. The challenge, for newly minted teachers in Canada is how to live on the uncertain income that substituting brings - although here at least, a dearth of substitutes of late has meant more consistent work to those that are looking.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Every province has its own education system as has been mentioned.

Here in New Brunswick, the route into teaching is a degree followed by a one-year BEd. The BEd course is offered at UNB and STU universities.

If you don’t already have a teaching qual then it would make more sense to train in the province where you’d like to work, particularly if you don’t have previous experience of any Canadian education systems, or Canadian qualifications.

There are also opportunities in NB to work as an unqualified teacher on a ‘local permit.’
There is an estimated shortage of around 500 teachers in NB, especially in sciences.

More info on becoming a teacher in NB here:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/d...a_teacher.html

If you are thinking of coming to Canada as an international student, be aware that the numbers were capped a few months back, along with other changes such as being required to demonstrate a higher level of funds to be allowed in as a student.

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Yeah I've also heard that it's best not to immigrate to Canada as a teacher, there's a very complicated bureaucratic process for accrediting teachers there

Re: Moving to Canada, and becoming a teacher
 

Not sure it’s the bureaucracy that’s the problem, if it was then nobody would move to Canada! :lol: Even hairdressers have to go through exams to be licensed to work there. It’s more that a teacher won’t usually get a visa unless they qualify for one without a job offer (i.e. they have a Canadian spouse). Luckily for the OP they are young enough to qualify for a visa that doesn’t need a job offer so that’s all good.