Talented and skilled IT professionals working as Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC codes 21311 and 52120) are quite in demand in Alberta. The digital exposure during and in post pandemic times have given rise to demand of tech workers in Alberta. For this reason, the federal government of Canada introduced Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway under Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) to facilitate IT skilled workers grant of visas as soon as possible.
Several key industries and services like education, healthcare, finance and banking, retail, e-commerce, telecommunication, construction, travel and tourism and so on are highly dependent on technology and internet services. To boost digital systems and services, the Canadian employers need trained manpower, specifically for profiles of Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators. Different IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) organisations are taking steps to expand their business and presence in Alberta. These organisations are also facing concerns of growing population of senior citizens and increasing number of people almost reaching the retirement stage. This prompted the IT organisations and Canadian employers to hire talented skilled tech workers from outside Canada for profiles of Computer Engineers and Graphic Designers and Illustrators.
The jobs of Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC codes 21311 and 52120) are mentioned under National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC code for Computer Engineers is 21311and for Graphic Designers and Illustrators the code is 52120.
The visa applications of eligible IT professionals under Alberta Tech Pathway stream are processed through Express Entry system. It means that tech workers from outside Canada can easily migrate there in hassle free manner and their visa applications can be managed on fast track mode through Express Entry system.
The online applications under Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway evaluates personal and professional credentials of applicants from IT fields. This immigration stream for tech workers also offers ‘letter of support’ to eligible IT professionals. The ‘letter of support’ can be used to apply for Canada work permit. It helps in saving time, money and resources of tech applicants as compared to the route of LMIA supported work permit.
Basic requirement for Computer Engineers (NOC code 21311) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC code 52120) under Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
The online applications for Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators under Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway can be submitted in the Canada express entry program. It is important to note that these online applications must remain active in the pool for at least next three months for the ease of processing of visa applications. All online applications in the Express Entry pool are assessed for the job profiles of Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators based on human capital factors such as age, relevant education, skill training or certification, language ability, willingness to work and stay in Alberta, sufficient funds, relevant prior work experience, adaptability and so on. Each online application gets certain points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale for their personal and professional details.
It is important to note that IT skilled workers having relevant prior work experience as Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators must mention the NOC code 21311 and 52120 respectively in the online applications in Express Entry pool along with a valid job offer letter or job offer (issued by either an IT organisation or an employer from Alberta). The tech workers must make Alberta their first choice to work and stay in order to gain good CRS points.
A valid job offer letter or job offer issued by an employer based in Alberta can facilitate Canada immigration as early as possible under Alberta Tech Pathway. Securing a valid job offer letter or job offer can specifically help tech applicants having low CRS points in the Express Entry pool and have less hope to gain the required cut-off CRS points to receive Invitation To Apply (ITA). A valid job offer letter or job offer support the tech applicant’s online Express Entry profile by gaining extra 600 CRS points in addition to their current CRS score. This helps in increasing the overall CRS score in the Express Entry pool and enabling tech applicants to have required cut-off CRS points. This way they can easily secure permanent residence status of Canada along with getting work opportunities in IT industry.
Job profiles in Alberta for NOC code 21311 – Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- Computer Engineer
- Engineer – Network Systems
- Network Specialist – Computer Systems
- Engineer – Wireless Communication Networks
- Engineer – Intranet
- Engineer – Fibre Optic Networks
Job profiles in Alberta for NOC code 52120 – Graphic Designers and Illustrators
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Studio – Creative Co-ordinator
- Graphic Artist
Average salary of Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators in Alberta
The average salary of Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) in Alberta is around $85,894 CAD per year or $43.29 CAD per hour. The average working hours of Computer Engineers in Alberta is around 38.3 hours per week. The average salary of Graphic Designers and Illustrators in Alberta is $56601 CAD per year or $29.13 CAD per hour.
Job Opportunities in Alberta for NOC code 21311 – Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers)
(source- https://www.jobbank.gc.ca)
➡ Computer Engineer in Edmonton – $46.90 CAD per hour
➡ Engineer – Network Systems in Calgary – $46 CAD per hour
➡ Network Specialist (Computer Systems) in Edmonton – $46.39 CAD per hour
Job Opportunities in Alberta for NOC code 52120 – Graphic Designers and Illustrators
(source- https://www.jobbank.gc.ca)
➡ Graphic Designer in Edmonton – $29.35 CAD per hour
➡ Graphic Designer in Calgary – $27 CAD per hour
➡ Advertising Designer in Edmonton – $60000 CAD per year
➡ Web Graphic Designer in Calgary – $60008 CAD per hour
➡ Illustrator in Edmonton – $29 CAD per hour
Advantages of Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway
- Alberta offers good work opportunities to Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators
- As many as 4,754 IT-related work opportunities in more than 3000 organisations are available in Alberta. A report by the Canadian Venture Capital Private Equity Association (CVCA) mentioned that around $480 million was invested by leading firms in as many as 61 deals in Alberta in 2020-2021. Now, the Canadian employers are seeking efficient, talented and skilled tech workers to scale up these business and growth.
- Experts suggest that tech jobs will witness a growth of 11 per cent every year in Canada. This will give rise to more vacancies and employment in IT and ITeS industries. Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) and Graphic Designers and Illustrators must mention the NOC code 21311 and 52120 It is a good opportunity for Indian IT professionals to secure promising and bright future through the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway stream. The eligible tech occupations of Information Systems Testing Technicians and Computer and Information Systems Managers (NOC codes 2283 and 0213) are in demand in IT industry in Alberta. The Indian IT skilled professionals having prior experience in these fields must apply in Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway to gain better work opportunities and salaries.
