Both Canadians and foreigners moving to Canada are interested in careers as teachers. No wonder – Canada has one of the highest teacher salaries in the world. Yet, most provinces and territories seek internationally trained teachers to fill these vacancies due to the shortage of qualified teachers.
Great options are available if you’ve recently received your teaching certification outside Canada or are an experienced teacher in your home country. But before moving to look for work in Canada for foreigners, you should know the requirements because lots of occupations are regulated.
One of those regulated positions is that of a teacher. Many immigrants to Canada realize only after relocating that it’s difficult to find employment in their chosen field. Think recognition for overseas credentials or acquiring teaching experience in Canada.
Here’s an informative summary of what you need to know about teacher jobs in Canada for foreigners.
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What You Can Expect from a Teaching Career in Canada
There is a shortage of teachers at all levels in Canada. There simply aren’t enough qualified teachers to meet the needs of the nation’s plentiful schools. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Canada welcomes foreign-trained educators to settle down in one of the provinces.
It’s easy for you as a newcomer to find employment in Canada. You can find jobs in primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. You may also find work as a substitute teacher or in private schools.
Working as a substitute can be a rewarding experience while obtaining your teaching credentials. You’re more likely to find a teaching job in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
Canada’s Teacher Requirements
Regulatory organizations in each province or territory define the requirements for teachers in Canada. You will also need teaching credentials from a province and a bachelor’s degree in education, though the conditions may differ by jurisdiction.
Take the Ontario College of Teachers – it stipulates the following requirements if you want to teach in Ontario:
- Completing a three-year post-secondary degree from a recognized post-secondary institution
- Finishing a four-semester teacher education program
- Completing the sexual abuse prevention program
You might need more education and certification if you want to focus on teaching English or French as a second language or special education. Unlike elementary and secondary education, the teaching profession is not regulated at the university or college level. It is up to the school or hiring department to accept your academic credentials acquired outside of Canada.
University teaching positions are competitive, and most of them call for at least one graduate degree, a track record of successful teaching, or academic publication.
Becoming a Teacher in Canada
There are several steps you must take if you are a recent immigrant to Canada and are interested in becoming a teacher:
Obtain an Undergraduate Degree
Get a bachelor’s degree at an accredited Canadian university.
Choose Where You Want to Teach
There are numerous career paths for teachers. Choosing a graduate school is easier if you know where you wish to teach. For instance, it’s advisable to obtain your teaching degree from a university in the same province where you intend to teach, e.g., Alberta.
Think About the Grades and Subjects You Wish to Teach
In Canada, you can instruct elementary, middle, and high school students. You can choose to specialize in various fields.
Join a Teacher’s College
Finish a graduate education degree in the province where you’ll teach. You must meet all in-class and practical criteria.
Get Licensed
Fill out the certification application and all the necessary steps, and start looking for your first teaching position.
What Salary Can Teachers in Canada Expect?
Canada has some of the highest teacher salaries in the world. Just after Germany and Luxembourg, they come in third. Various elements, including your province, expertise, speciality, and teaching experience, influence your income.
Most newly arrived teachers earn more money in Canada than they would in their home country. Wages for teachers range between 24 to $66 per hour.
Besides, finding suitable teachers in the territories of Nunavut and Yukon in the northwest corner of Canada can be challenging. The higher cost of living also comes into play, so salaries tend to be higher there.
Canada’s Largest Cities’ Average Pay for Teachers
The typical annual teacher income varies a lot depending on the location. Below is a list of Canadian cities with the highest average teacher salaries:
- Nunavut ($107,576) (any city
- $102,002 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
- $101,162 in Edmonton, Alberta
- $96,398 in Toronto, Ontario
- $94,607 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Saskatchewan ($93,433), any city
- 89,810 in Vancouver, British Columbia
- $82,585 in Montreal, Quebec
The Best Places in Canada to Find Teaching Jobs
You can find employment as a teacher in numerous cities and towns because there are hundreds of schools, colleges, universities, and teaching facilities. But nowadays, finding a job in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia can be challenging, where the supply outweighs the demand.
We recommend focusing on the states and cities that are experiencing population expansion. Chances are you’ll find a job as a teacher in regions where the population is increasing, as that comes with a greater need for teachers.
According to data from the last census in 2021, four of Canada’s ten metropolitan regions with the greatest growth are in the province of Ontario. The other two are in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. Canada’s historically underserved northern and rural regions are additional areas to pay attention to and locations where the teacher shortage is more acute.
There is a demand for teachers in community colleges, technical institutions, and vocational schools due to the boom in skilled crafts.
Do you have any questions surrounding the Canada work visa 2023? Need help finding a job as a teacher in Canada? Book a free consultation today and speak with one of UIS Canada’s knowledgeable counselors.
College/University
Duration
Tuition Fee (1st year)
Rotman School of Management
Two years
CAD 66,210
Queen’s Smith School of Business
One year
CAD 133,355
Yok University – Schulich
Two years
CAD 56,125
McGill Desautel
20 months
CAD 49,750
University of Alberta
20 months
CAD 30,000
HEC Montréal
One year
CAD 59,000
UBC Sauder
16 months
CAD 73,642
Ivey Business School
One year
CAD 123,500
Requirements for MBA in Canada
Universities have their own set of requirements for admission to MBA programs, but the following are the most typical eligibility criteria:
Three to five years of relevant work experience in a comparable subject (institutions prefer students with work experience of at least one year)
Out of 800, you need a minimum GMAT score of 500-700 to enter a decent Canadian institution
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any field. Most institutions require a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some also accept a three-year degree
Minimum IELTS Scores for Canadian universities
Don’t let a study gap put you off. In Canada, you can get away with it under some circumstances.
Career Prospects
The high caliber of education available in Canada provides MBA students with a variety of attractive employment options.
Finance and Consulting: Organizations that provide consulting and financial services continue to be the top employers of MBA candidates. Due to this, many foreign students choose to study MBA in Finance in Canada.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs): These are the industries that hire the most graduates from business schools. Those with specialized training in the management field and an open mind about prospects for additional learning and exposure are given preference.
Technology: With the industry at an all-time high, technology-based businesses provide MBA graduates with the most promising career options.
Co-op education: Also known as cooperative education, this is a program that allows you to work in a sector linked to your field of study. You can continue your studies while gaining practical, program-related employment experience. Thereby, you will create solid relationships that can help you land a job later.
Popular among people with a student visa to Canada are business management skills, accounting, budget management, human resources, office management, and operations management.
Here are some prospective employers:
Business Development Bank of Canada
Capgemini Group
Ceridian Canada Ltd.
Forazni Group Ltd.
IBM Canada
Manulife Financial Corporation
Petro Canada
Royal Bank of Canada
Unilever Canada
Salary After MBA in Canada
A business manager’s salary after studying MBA in Canada averages CAD 69,266 a year.
With less than one year of experience, an entry-level business manager can expect to make an average salary of CAD 55,412 (including tips, bonuses, and overtime). An entry-level business manager with one to four years of experience makes, on average, CAD 59,392. The average annual salary for a business manager in their mid-career with five to nine years of experience is CAD 68,552.
The average annual salary of a business manager with 10 to 19 years of experience in Canada is CAD 79,188. Employees’ yearly average wage of those in their late careers (20 years and up) is CAD 81,347.
Work Permits in Canada After MBA
After completing your post-graduate (PG) degree as an international student, you can stay and work full-time in Canada for up to four years. That’s possible thanks to your Canadian work permit. You have up to 180 days to submit your PGWP application from when your PG studies are finished and when you’ve received your final grades.
Conclusion
Due to internships at reputable management companies and flexible visa requirements, half a million foreign students attend Canadian schools or universities each year. Do you intend to study MBA in Canada but are still determining which universities or programs would be the most suitable for you? Book a free consultation today and let UIS Canada help you get a student visa.
