two 1 year diploma programs

[antonparr]

Hi guys,

I have completed my Masters in Chemistry and I have 5 years of work experience in Pharma industry. My age is 34 now and I would like to pursue two post graduate diploma programs one after the other (as they are related to my field of work) so that I complete 2 years of education and could possibly get 3 years of work permit. But can I take two diploma programs one after the other and apply for 3year work permit? What are my chances of visa approval for my studies.will my masters degree affect my visa approval? Did anyone try in this way and got a work permit? I also have a doubt, Federal skilled worker list and NOC list, are they same or different? If different, what happens if my profession code is there in NOC but not in FSW? Is it compulsory that the kob code should be there in both NOC and FSW? I really need your help guys.....

 

[jes_ON]

About the PGWP... from the OP12, p. 29:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op12-eng.pdf

"Exception: Students holding a one-year graduate degree from a provincially accredited post-secondary educational institution in Canada (pursued full-time ) after having obtained, within the prior two years, a degree or diploma from an accredited post-secondary educational / training institution will qualify for a three year work permit. This exception also applies to students who have left Canada temporarily between the graduations."

In other words, the 2nd program would have to result in a Master's Degree (not diploma or certificate) to be able to get the 3-year PGWP.

 

[jes_ON]

About the NOC... the "National Occupational Classification" is a federalsystem of classifying all occupations. That's ALL OCCUPATIONS. Yeah, some don't fit very well, but that's the intent. What ever job you do, there's an NOC. It's a program of HRSDC, not CIC.
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/SearchIndex.aspx

CIC uses the NOC to determine the skill level of your occupation/work experience. It also uses it to identify select occupations for which there is deemed a greater need for immigration.

Under the Federal Skilled Workers program, there are 3 streams - one stream, and one stream only, draws from a list of specific "eligible" occupations -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp?expand=jobs#jobs

This list was just revised so it will probably be in effect for a couple of years. But please note that there are 2 other FSW streams with different requirements. There is also the CEC class of applications, which is different- there is no "list of eligible occupations," there is only the requirement that you work for at least one year in a skilled occupation (determined by your NOC - NOCs that are Level O, A, or B are "eligible" under CEC-
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/Matrix.aspx

For CEC, read here -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

Hope that helps -