A new Statistics Canada Economic and Social Reports paper released today compares the early-career earnings of childhood immigrants who completed skilled-trades apprenticeships with those of Canadian-born journeypersons. Using data from the Longitudinal Immigration Database and the Registered Apprenticeship Information System, researchers followed cohorts certified between 2008 and 2018 and measured income trajectories four years before and after credentialing. The study finds that childhood immigrants—individuals admitted to Canada before age 17—earn similar wages to their Canadian-born peers by the fourth year post-certification, even though they start at a modest disadvantage. Factors such as language proficiency, province of certification and trade specialisation account for most gaps. Notably, immigrant journeypersons concentrated in high-demand Red Seal trades like industrial mechanics and electrician roles, which posted stronger wage growth than service-sector trades. For global mobility and workforce-planning teams, the findings highlight Canada’s growing pool of domestically trained immigrant talent in the skilled trades—a segment often overshadowed by university-degreed newcomers. Employers grappling with construction-sector labour shortages could benefit from targeting these journeypersons, who have proven credential recognition and stable post-certification earnings. Policy-makers may also draw lessons on the value of early integration supports—such as language training and apprenticeship incentives—in boosting long-term economic outcomes for immigrant youth. With Ottawa’s immigration plan increasingly emphasising provincial nominee and category-based selections, evidence that childhood immigrants reach wage parity strengthens the case for maintaining family and humanitarian streams that bring minors to Canada.
Source: Statistics Canada
