By choosing the right employer and occupation, international students and recent graduates in Canada can position themselves strongly for permanent residence (PR).
Completing at least six months of work experience—beyond the minimum program requirements—in an eligible occupation under an Express Entry category can significantly improve a candidate’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). In many cases, candidates in category-based draws are invited with much lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores than those seen in general Express Entry draws.
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For many recent graduates, this route may represent the most accessible pathway to PR, especially when compared with other options such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
This article highlights employers operating in key sectors that commonly hire for occupations eligible under Express Entry categories. The analysis is based on the Globe and Mail’s list of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, released on January 20, 2026.
It is important to note that Express Entry categories are occupation-based, not employer-based. While this article groups employers according to the categories they most closely align with, actual eligibility will always depend on the specific role an employer is hiring for at any given time.
Occupational categories covered
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
This article also outlines best practices for confirming whether a specific job posting qualifies under an Express Entry category.
Note: Employers associated with Express Entry’s Education category were not included, as most top employers did not align clearly with this sector. Likewise, employers were not listed for the Physicians with Canadian work experience category, since those roles typically require credentials beyond what most international students and recent graduates possess.
Top employers in Healthcare and social services occupations
This category includes both clinical healthcare roles and regulated or support positions across the healthcare system. Occupations covered include physicians and specialists, nurses, allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and chiropractors), diagnostic and laboratory staff, pharmacists, paramedical workers, and animal health professionals (including veterinarians and veterinary technologists or technicians).
The category also explicitly includes social workers, counselling therapists, and social or community service workers.
A full breakdown of eligible occupations is available on our dedicated webpage.
Below are selected employers operating in these fields, along with the reasons they were recognized as top employers for young people in Canada.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Healthcare, Toronto)
- Undergraduate research program focused on childhood disability
- Dedicated roles for Indigenous students and students with disabilities
- Accessible co-op placements for current and former clients, supported by occupational therapists, job coaches, and peer facilitators
- Nursing leadership training through the Nightingale Challenge
Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) (Healthcare, Toronto)
- Accelerated BScN Scholar Practitioner partnership, employing approximately 20 students per cohort
- Research Training Centre supporting more than 1,400 trainees through seminars and workshops
- Career-readiness programs for research fellows, including coaching, job-search training, and a $10,000 seed grant
Providence Health Care (Healthcare and regulated support roles, Vancouver)
- Employed student nurse program with educator-led orientation and mentorship
- Annual Practice-Based Research Challenge offering training, mentorship, and $5,000 for winning teams
- Paid Health Care Access Program covering wages, tuition, and books for 9–12 months of accelerated training into healthcare assistant roles, followed by a one-year work commitment
Health Canada (Federal government)
- Young Professionals Network, including MegaConnex networking and mentorship with senior executives
- Initiatives to retain and rehire students through bridging programs and rehire inventories
- Structured onboarding and orientation resources, including student sessions and training checklists
VCA Canada Ltd. (Veterinary care, Calgary)
- Summer roles for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and a six-month mentorship program for new graduates
- Fully funded Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Penn Foster scholarship
- Student loan–RRSP matching program supporting loan repayment up to 5% of annual salary
Top employers in STEM occupations
IRCC’s STEM category is broad and includes engineering roles (civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, industrial, manufacturing, and geological), engineering technologists and technicians, cybersecurity specialists, architects, and science managers.
Notably, the current list also includes insurance agents and brokers, even though these roles are not traditionally associated with STEM fields.
A complete list of eligible occupations is available on our dedicated webpage.
Selected employers in this category include:
AtkinsRéalis (Engineering services, Montreal)
- 18-month Odyssey program for new graduates featuring skills training, mentorship, and e-learning
- Youth Advisor Initiative connecting young professionals through national development and social events
- “Energizing Your Career” program offering assessments, tools, and access to senior leaders
LEA Consulting Ltd. (Engineering services, Markham)
- Young Professionals Group delivering training and mentoring sessions
- 24-month Transportation Professional-in-Training program with rotational placements
- Pilot leadership development program with job shadowing and mentorship
BC Hydro (Hydroelectric power generation, Vancouver)
- AccessAbility Network supporting employees with disabilities and allies
- Diversity and inclusion objectives embedded into leadership performance metrics
- Indigenous Employment and Training initiatives developed in partnership with First Nations
Hitachi Rail (Specialized IT services, Toronto)
- Structured intern onboarding, including orientation, tours, and buddy programs
- Executive engagement opportunities such as “Ask Me Anything” sessions
- End-of-term Intern Showcase to present work and connect with hiring managers
Sophos Inc. (Custom computer programming services, Vancouver)
- Structured mentorship program with two six-month cohorts each year
- Leadership development programs for employees at different career stages
- Learning and development ecosystem with internal coaching support
AIG Insurance Company of Canada (Insurance, Toronto)
- Early career analyst program with “First 100 Days” transition support
- Ten-week summer internship featuring masterclasses, mentorship, and networking
- Young Professionals and Allies employee resource group with senior-leader mentorship
Top employers in Trades occupations
This category includes skilled trades and construction leadership roles such as construction managers, estimators, and renovation managers, as well as trades like machinists, welders, electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, carpenters, cabinetmakers, and bricklayers.
It also covers finishing and building trades, including concrete finishers, roofers, painters, floor covering installers, and supervisors in oil and gas drilling and services.
A full list of eligible occupations is available on our dedicated webpage.
Selected employers include:
PCL Construction (Industrial and commercial construction, Edmonton)
- Student program offering 4–16 month placements with supervisor and buddy support
- Accelerated development programs for early-career superintendents and estimators
- Six-month onboarding for new graduates and an employee ownership share program
ArcelorMittal Dofasco (Iron and steel manufacturing, Hamilton)
- Trades apprenticeship program in partnership with Mohawk College
- Comprehensive onboarding with classroom, shop, and simulated training
- Student Insight Program focused on operational exposure and professional skills
ATCO Ltd. (Energy, transportation, and infrastructure, Calgary)
- Four-year engineer-in-training program with rotational placements and mentorship
- CPA pre-approved rotational program supporting professional designation
- Financial wellness sessions for students and early-career employees
Gibson Energy Inc. (Oil and gas distribution, Calgary)
- Engineer-in-Training program with technical training and field assignments
- Student and New Graduate community group offering networking and development events
- 30-month CPA rotational program with mentorship and exam support
CRH Canada Group Inc. (Concrete manufacturing, Vaughan)
- Internships ranging from 3–16 months with training, site visits, and certification support
- “Building Future Leaders” forum for early-career employees featuring workshops and executive engagement
Top employers in Agriculture and Agri-food occupations
At the time of writing, the agriculture and agri-food category includes only one eligible occupation: Butchers – retail and wholesale.
Employers hiring for this occupation include:
Loblaw Companies Ltd. (Supermarkets and grocery stores, Brampton)
- Co-op and internship opportunities across multiple functions
- Career development tools, learning programs, and networking events
- Student-led intern committee organizing mentoring and professional activities
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (Food processing, Mississauga)
- Three-year rotational leadership program with plant tours and executive mentorship
- Reverse mentorship program pairing co-op students with full-time employees
- Year-round co-op opportunities across departments such as QA, food safety, IT, and engineering
How can I confirm whether a job is included in an Express Entry category?
If you find a job posting that you believe may qualify under an Express Entry category, follow these steps:
- Conduct a preliminary review by matching the job title in the posting with eligible occupation titles listed on the official National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021 website.
- If the title appears to match, carefully compare the occupation’s main duties with the responsibilities listed in the job posting.
- This is the most critical step. If most of the main duties do not align, the role is unlikely to qualify.
- Review the “exclusions” section of the NOC occupation page to ensure the position is not specifically excluded from that category.
Taking these steps can help ensure that your work experience counts toward eligibility under Express Entry and supports your long-term PR goals.
