Ottawa is creating a new pathway to permanent residency for up to 90,000 essential workers and international graduates who have the skills needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health care and other eligible essential workers must have at least one year of Canadian work experience to apply, while international graduates must have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last four years.

On May 6, the immigration department will start accepting up to 50,000 applications from health care and other essential workers and 40,000 applications from international students who graduated from a Canadian institution.

Many women returning to the workforce after having children say they face a challenging welcome back. Professional networking site LinkedIn recently added a new feature, allowing parents to use "stay-at-home mom" or "stay-at-home dad" as a job title. Will it make a difference? These added job titles help fill the employment gaps with transferrable skills that parents use every day that are essential in many professions. The article outlines the struggles mothers and fathers have taking time off for raising children, although these challenges are exacerbated in the US with little entitlement to parents for paid leave.

Of the women who leave work after having children, two-thirds plan to return to work within five years. But those who want to resume paid work often find a labour market less enthused about their return.

We’re living in uncertain times, making it especially challenging to plan for the next year — never mind the next decade — and anticipate new career opportunities. Canada’s economy was already adapting to a host of recent changes, but the extent of these changes and the level of uncertainty about the future has been amplified by COVID-19.

Technological, societal, environmental, economic and political changes are opening the door to new opportunities, disrupting traditional industries and, in some cases, even creating entirely new sectors.

The 5 emerging sectors to keep your eyes on:

Hamilton businesses can call the COVID Concierge at 905-521-3989 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm) or Contact Us online.

Learn more at hamiltoncovidconcierge.ca