You don’t need to be fluent in English to work in Canada. In many non-native English-speaking countries, having excellent English skills are stereotyped to determine the level of employees’ competencies. But Canada is different! Canadian employers are willing to hire people who speak less than perfect English as long as they have the right set of skills and talents to do the job.
11 Examples of Low English Requirement Jobs in Canada
Each job has its required level of language proficiency. For example, a CLB 7+ is needed for managerial jobs like CEO and CMO while for jobs under construction and retail only requires CLB 3 and below – enough conversational English skills to be able to interact with coworkers, get directions, ask questions, and express yourself.
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What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)?
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is a standard for assessing the English language proficiency of Canadian residents, immigrants, and refugees who speak languages other than English. The highest CLB is 10 and the lowest is 1.
Below are some examples of low English requirements jobs in Canada:
1. Automobile Repair
Automobile repair in Canada is a very competitive industry that relies heavily on skilled tradesmen and technicians. With Canada’s vast and diverse terrain, automobile companies developed cars that are capable of driving through different surfaces. This led the Canadian automobile repair industry to grow tremendously with an average hourly wage ranging from 15 to 33 CAD.
2. Catering Services
Catering services in Canada can be as elaborate as you want them to be, from the food to the décor. Many workers in Canada choose to work as a caterer as a side business or as a full-time job. Job roles include cook, helper, mobile caterer, and waiter. The average hourly wage for this industry ranges from 13 to 20 CAD.
3. Construction
For many years, Canada relied on natural resources for its economic growth, but this changed in 2015 when they decided to diversify the economy by infrastructure spending and promoting development. Nowadays, there are many construction jobs in Canada for foreigners. Some examples of job positions are general laborer, painter or decorator, drywaller, roofer, and bricklayer. The average hourly wage for Canadian construction ranges from 16 to 35 CAD.
4. Food Production and Processing
The food and beverage processing industry is reported by Canada’s Government to be the largest manufacturing industry in Canadian provinces like Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. Common job roles include butcher, baker, and machine operators with an average hourly wage ranging from 14 to 29 CAD.
5. Hospitality
Hospitality jobs in Canada include accommodation, food and beverage, and recreation services. There are numerous opportunities available for people who do not have formal education or experience in the industry. Some examples of job positions are housekeeping attendant, maintenance, dishwasher, and cook. These job roles have an estimated hourly wage ranging from 13 to 22 CAD.
6. Janitorial and Cleaning Services
With Canada’s high standard of living, many residents invest in their home and office cleaning services. The industry has been reported to grow in the next 5 years starting from 2019 by Market Research. Janitors in Canada are estimated to have an hourly wage of 14 to 29 CAD.
7. Landscaping
A landscaping job is an occupation that helps maintain and improve the appearance of a property. As a landscaper, you will take care of clients’ lawns, gardens, and other landscaping needs. You might have to plant trees, trim bushes, maintain flower beds, weed the lawns, and spread mulch. The average hourly wage of a landscape ranges from 15 to 25 CAD.
8. Local Courier and Delivery Services
In the 2021 Market Research published by IBIS World, Canada has over 70,000 employments and over 18,000 businesses under the Canadian local courier and delivery service industry (and is continuously growing today!). Job positions include courier, driver, packer, and loader. Workers under this industry are estimated to have an hourly wage of 12 to 30 CAD.
9. Quick Restaurant Services
In Canada, there are 30,000+ businesses, 35 Billion CAD market size, and 400,000+ employment under the quick restaurant industry or widely known fast-food services. Tim Hortons, Subway, Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Dairy Queen are some of the top Canadian fast-food chains by ScrapeHero’s analysis. Job positions include dishwasher, table cleaner, and kitchen helper. These jobs have an estimated hourly wage ranging from 12 to 19 CAD.
10. Retail and Warehouse
The Canadian retail industry employs 2.1 million workers according to Statista’s 2020 record. It is one of the massive and crucial sectors of the Canadian economy. This industry involves all types of warehousing and grocery store occupations such as cashier, clerk, and stocker. The hourly wage for this industry ranges from 12 to 17 CAD.
11. Sewing
To keep the Canadian sewing industry alive, Canada employs many skilled workers from around the world. Some examples of job roles under this industry are dressmaker, tailor, glove maker, and machine operator with an estimated 14 to 23 CAD hourly wage.
Regardless of what country you’re from or the level of English proficiency you have, there are plenty of jobs in Canada for foreigners.
You can increase your chances of finding a job by having a positive attitude, being willing to learn, and having good communication skills. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- 📚 Take language classes to improve your English
- 🙋♀️ Volunteer to gain work experience
- 🤝 Network with people in your field
- 📝 Customize your resume and cover letter to the job you’re applying for
- 🗣️ Be prepared to talk about your unique skills and experiences during interviews
By following these tips and working hard, you can find a job that you enjoy in Canada even if you are not a native English speaker. Good luck!
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