Canada Launches New Skilled Worker Categories — The Jobs Kenyans Can Target

Canada has introduced ten new Express Entry categories targeting skilled professionals in sectors facing labour shortages, creating new opportunities for qualified workers from Kenya and other African countries.

The announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on 7 August is part of a wider effort to align skilled migration with Canada’s workforce needs. The new categories include healthcare and social services, STEM, education, transport and skilled trades. French-language proficiency is also a priority, reflecting demand for French-speaking professionals in several parts of the country.

Canada is also prioritising physicians, senior managers, researchers and military recruits who have Canadian work experience. The focus on these groups reflects the government’s preference for candidates who already have experience that can support their integration into the Canadian labour market.

IRCC said the categories were selected using labour market data, future workforce projections and consultations with provincial governments and industry representatives. The department said it was seeking skilled workers who could strengthen the Canadian economy and help address shortages in key sectors.

For Kenyan professionals, however, meeting the requirements will remain essential. Applicants must first qualify under the general requirements of Express Entry, which manages three federal economic immigration programmes. They must also meet the additional requirements of the specific category they are applying under.

Canada plans to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026, increasing competition among applicants seeking opportunities in the country. The category-based system provides clearer criteria for professionals whose skills match Canada's identified labour needs.