Skills shortage a 'Significant Problem'

Canada's skills shortage is heading for a crisis, with newspapers all over the country reporting severe shortages of skilled workers. Shortages in many sectors of the economy can only be met in the short term by people taking up Canadian immigration. Finance minister Jim Flaherty has described Canada as being on the precipice of a major shortage of skilled workers, reported the London Free Press. "It's a significant problem. We're talking about thousands and thousands of vacancies for skilled workers across Canada," he told a meeting near Toronto. In Ontario, St Lawrence College has warned the government it must increase student enrolment by 30,000 in the next four years or there will be serious skills shortage.

Chris Whitaker, president and chief executive officer of the college, told the Brockville Recorder & Times that the province is facing a "serious skills shortage" in the years ahead with retiring baby boomers and rapid technological changes affecting businesses and industries. Canada needs skilled immigrants: The Canadian Visa Bureau can assist skilled workers interested in Canadian immigration. More information on Canadian visas is available on the website. Anyone applying for a Canadian visa should begin by completing the Canadian Visa Bureau's online Canadian visa application to see if they meet the legislative requirements.