The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 for immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system. Using the new NOC categories will allow Canada to bring in global talent in high-demand sectors like healthcare, construction, and transportation. Nurse aides, long-term care aides, hospital attendants, elementary and secondary school teacher assistants, and transport truck drivers are examples of some of the 16 occupations now included in Express Entry.

For more full statement click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/11/solving-labour-shortages-in-key-sectors-like-health-care-construction-and-transportation-workers-from-16-new-occupations-now-eligible-for-permanent.html

Starting in January 2023, Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children for workers at all skill levels, through a phased approach. Currently, spouses are only eligible for a work permit if the principal applicant is working in a high-skilled occupation.

This new temporary measure will further help address labour shortages by assisting employers find the workers they need through expanding the eligibility for work permits to family members accompanying the principal applicant. It is estimated that family members of more than 200,000 foreign workers could begin working in Canada, offering a greater opportunity for both foreign workers seeking to work in Canada and for employers seeking to fill critical job vacancies. This would include families of workers in health care, trades and hospitality.

This measure aims to improve the emotional well-being, physical health, and financial stability of workers by keeping families together. It will support worker retention, as it is expected that the worker will better integrate into their overall work environment and community. This measure will also help international student graduates, as more Post Graduate Work Permit holders will now be able to have their spouses stay or join them in Canada and work.

The temporary measure will be rolled out in three phases to ensure its successful implementation:

1. Phase one will enable family members of workers in most occupations to apply for an open work permit under the International Mobility Program and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
2. Phase two aims to expand the measure to the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program following consultations to ensure employer housing obligations are met.
3. Phase three may include expansion to agricultural workers pending consultations with partners and stakeholders and operational feasibility.

For more information see link - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/12/employers-and-temporary-workers-to-benefit-from-family-work-permits-to-address-labour-shortages.html