Work In Canada’s Food And Beverage Industry

Many Canadian Provinces are in Need of Workers

Below are the provinces with the most opportunities in Canada’s Food And Beverage Industry

• Nova Scotia: Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations Farm Workers, Food Servers, Food Service Manager
• Ontario: Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers, Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations, Farm Workers, Food Servers
• British Columbia: Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations, Farm Workers, Food Servers, Food Service Manager
• Nunavut: Food Servers
• Saskatchewan: Farm Workers
• Manitoba: Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers, Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations, Farm Workers
• Prince Edward Island: Farm Workers
• New Brunswick: Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations, Farm Workers
• Quebec: Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers, Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations
• Alberta: Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations

There are Different Pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency

Once you have a valid job offer and are sure you are eligible to immigrate to Canada, you can begin your immigration application. Here are some options to apply to.

Agri-food Immigration Pilot

Introduced in June 2020, the Agri-food Immigration Pilot is a program that will run for three years. It allows 2,750 foreign workers who have job offers or are currently working in Canada to apply for permanent residency each year.

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, so it’s important to act promptly to avoid missing out. The pilot program was created by the Canadian Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.

The main goal of this pilot is to tackle the significant shortage of labor in these four stunning provinces by granting applicants permanent residency. In general, you must:

• Have work experience in a job that requires a high school education and/or specific on-the-job training
• Must have completed high school
• Score a minimum of 4 on a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test to show you can communicate effectively in English or French
• Prove that you can support yourself and your family when you come to Canada

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a program driven by local communities. Its purpose is to extend the advantages of economic immigration to smaller communities by establishing a pathway for skilled foreigners who wish to work and settle in a participating community to obtain Canadian permanent residency. Because the pilot is community-driven, it’s the communities that will:

• Assess candidates
• Make recommendations for permanent residency to IRCC
• Put newcomers in touch with settlement services and mentoring opportunities with community members

Participating communities

• North Bay, Ontario
• Sudbury, Ontario
• Timmins, Ontario
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Brandon, Manitoba
• Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba
• Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• Claresholm, Alberta
• Vernon, British Columbia
• West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia

The Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is the quickest immigration route in Canada for handling applications from skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. It operates on a points system, where candidates are evaluated based on various factors. Those with the highest rankings receive Invitations to Apply (ITA).

An Abundance of jobs in Canada’s Food And Beverage Industry

You can easily find numerous job opportunities in Canada with a quick online search. The crucial part is locating the ideal job in the appropriate province that aligns with your goal of becoming a permanent resident in Canada.

The two primary requirements for applying for permanent residency are having a valid job offer in an occupation that Canada needs and meeting the eligibility criteria for permanent residency.

You have the option to work in a Canadian food factory, restaurant, or butcher shop. There are opportunities available for every type of worker in the food and beverage industry. Now, let’s explore the available positions within this industry.

Jobs in Canada’s Food And Beverage Industry

Food Processing Jobs

• Machine operator: No specific training is required for these positions as on-the-job training is often provided. However, previous experience can be helpful. Wages vary depending on the level of expertise required to operate the machinery but traditionally are between $13-$22 an hour.
• Food production labourer: From sausage wrappers to mushroom sorters, jobs in various food manufacturing facilities still require a lot of human capital. Wages are around $17 an hour.
• Equipment cleaner: Hygiene is essential, especially in countries like Canada with strict health codes and regular visits from health inspectors. Equipment cleaners make around $15 an hour.
• Food processing supervisor: Identifying, evaluating and controlling hazards during the food production process requires accountability, and wages reflect that. Supervisors in food production earn an average of $33 an hour.
• Quality control/assurance officer: Maintaining and ensuring standards are adhered to is vital, especially in the food industry, as mistakes can damage companies’ reputations. QA officers typically earn around $24 an hour.

Jobs for Butchers

• Industrial Butcher – Depending on experience, you can earn between $18 and $30 an hour as an industrial butcher in Canada. This is one of the most in-demand occupations at the moment. Industrial butchery is a difficult and respected profession, and not enough Canadians are entering. This is why the IRCC specifically targets foreign workers from this occupation for permanent residency.
• Retail Butcher – The more glamorous division of the profession, wrapping meats and interfacing with customers is the order of the day. Wages may range from $16 to $20 an hour depending on experience and responsibilities.

Farm Workers and Supervisor Jobs

Though not strictly under the food processing sector, these occupations have been included in the Agri-Food Pilot. So they are also worth considering if you are interested in obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

• Farm and livestock supervisor – only a high school qualification is necessary. However, experience is the key to earning a good wage in this occupation. Your hourly earning potential will be between $18 and $28 an hour, depending on your level of experience and ability. A wholesome and rewarding career as a farm supervisor could be waiting for you in the countryside. Bring your experience or start from the bottom as a general worker.
• General Farm Worker – this can also take on the role of harvester. If you secure a job offer as a harvester the key is to get a permanent job, as many offers are seasonal. A good permanent position will pay between $12 and $21 an hour. No qualifications are required, but as you grow and cultivate crops, qualifications will mean better wages and one step closer to becoming a supervisor.

Chefs and Cooks

This category includes various types of chefs who organize and oversee food preparation and cooking, along with cooks who prepare and cook meals and various delicacies.

They can find employment in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, healthcare or specialized care facilities, clubs, businesses, and even cruise ships. If you aspire to be an executive chef, you will require qualifications as a cook or chef and may also need management training.

Food Service Manager

Businesses in the food industry need operations management staff to see to operations running. As a food service manager, you will also have to manage stock, customer relations, quality control and budgets.

Food and Beverage Servers

Canada has a vibrant food scene, so it has a variety of great restaurants. It is therefore obvious that this requires a consistent stream of staff. There are many jobs for waiters or food servers, not only in restaurants, but also in tourism and other sectors.

Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related Support Occupations

There is a great need for workers in this category. Job roles encompass counter attendants, food preparation staff, kitchen aides, food service assistants, and dishwashing staff. These positions are available in restaurants, cafes, hotels, fast food chains, cafeterias, healthcare centers, and other establishments.

Ready to Start Your Journey to Canada?

Now that you are aware of the opportunities available in Canada’s Food and Beverage Industry, it’s time to get ready for the application process. With numerous job openings in food and beverage service and food processing across the country, don’t delay any further. Canada is in need of your skills!

How We Can Help You

There are more than 100 different ways for foreigners who want to work, travel, or study in Canada to immigrate or obtain visas. With such a wide range of options, the immigration and visa process can be overwhelming and confusing.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way. By using our certified Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), you can increase your chances of success in the visa application process. They can provide expert guidance and advice on which program is most suitable for your specific needs.