Is it reasonable to plan for the healthcare category under Express Entry?

[Akasshh]

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to understand if my long-term plan makes sense and would appreciate guidance from people who have gone through similar situation
I currently have a CRS score around 470, and after two years it is unlikely to increase much higher. I’m considering switching from my TEER 2 supervisor role to a pharmacy technician position in my home country so I can qualify for the healthcare category-based draw in the future.
My main question is:
For people already in the healthcare category, has there been any past pattern or stability in how IRCC handles this stream?
I’m not asking for predictions on future cutoffs, but I want to know whether it is generally worth it to invest 6 months to 1 year gaining relevant healthcare experience before returning to Canada.
Any personal experiences or insights about whether this career move is practical would be helpful.
Thank you!

 

[Naturgrl]

Category draws could be gone tomorrow or NOCs are deleted from the stream at any time. IRCC will also look at education now to see if you have a diploma in the field, and are able to be licensed as one in Canada. So you take a chance.

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to understand if my long-term plan makes sense and would appreciate guidance from people who have gone through similar situation
I currently have a CRS score around 470, and after two years it is unlikely to increase much higher. I’m considering switching from my TEER 2 supervisor role to a pharmacy technician position in my home country so I can qualify for the healthcare category-based draw in the future.
My main question is:
For people already in the healthcare category, has there been any past pattern or stability in how IRCC handles this stream?
I’m not asking for predictions on future cutoffs, but I want to know whether it is generally worth it to invest 6 months to 1 year gaining relevant healthcare experience before returning to Canada.
Any personal experiences or insights about whether this career move is practical would be helpful.
Thank you!

IRCC can change program or stop draws (like they have for STEM) with no warning or notification. Ultimately no one can tell you if IRCC will still have the health care draw in place in six months to a year. You'll have to decide yourself if you want to try this career switch and hope the draws are still in place once you qualify.

Keep in mind that the health care category is draw is relatively new and was only introduced in 2023. It didn't exist before that. You can see how many draws have happened since inception and the dates on the IRCC website if you want to try to assess patterns. It could be here for a while, it could disappear soon, or IRCC could keep the program but stop draws (like they have for STEM). IMO no one can reasonably comment on stability given this is a new program and not something that's been around for many years.

 

[canuck78]

There are certainly some categories at risk in the HC draw because they make up a large percentage of the draw and require very little training. Many will not actually continue working in the field in the low barrier to enter HC and social services workers NOCs. Pharmacy assistant and tech, social services
Assistants, etc. If you became something like an LPN that is unlikely to not be in need going forward.

 

[Akasshh]

There are certainly some categories at risk in the HC draw because they make up a large percentage of the draw and require very little training. Many will not actually continue working in the field in the low barrier to enter HC and social services workers NOCs. Pharmacy assistant and tech, social services
Assistants, etc. If you became something like an LPN that is unlikely to not be in need going forward.

Thanku.. But right now im gaining exp of other job and its about 4.5 months my aim is to first complete this 1 year then im gonna switch. So im predicting it for next 2 years and i have time how the trends goes in next 8 months.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanku.. But right now im gaining exp of other job and its about 4.5 months my aim is to first complete this 1 year then im gonna switch. So im predicting it for next 2 years and i have time how the trends goes in next 8 months.

So you have a pharmacy technician diploma?

 

[Akasshh]

So you have a pharmacy technician diploma?

Yes