op In-Demand Programs in Canada: PGWP-Eligible Options
Choosing what to study in Canada should go beyond finding a program that simply gets you into a classroom. For international students thinking about their career after graduation, the stronger choice is a program that develops practical skills needed in the labour market while also supporting the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience.
This is where PGWP-eligible in-demand programs become worth considering. For students planning ahead, affordable options are available in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, with applications currently open for the September 2027 intake.
What In-Demand Programs in Canada Mean
An in-demand program is one that prepares students for occupations where employers are actively looking for workers.
Canada’s current immigration priorities reflect this labour-market need. Healthcare and social services, education and trades remain among the categories being prioritised through Express Entry, while the federal government has also highlighted shortages across childcare and skilled trades.
For students, this makes program choice more important. Studying in a field connected to labour demand can position you for stronger employment opportunities after graduation, particularly when the program is also PGWP eligible.
Why PGWP-Eligible Programs Matter
A Post-Graduation Work Permit can allow eligible international graduates to remain in Canada and gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies.
That work experience can become an important part of a longer-term permanent residence strategy.
The key is choosing the right program from the beginning. If working in Canada after graduation and eventually exploring permanent residence are part of your plan, selecting a PGWP-eligible program gives you the opportunity to build the Canadian work experience that many immigration pathways value.
Most In-Demand Programs for International Students
1. Childcare Programs
Childcare is becoming an increasingly important field as Canada continues expanding its early learning and childcare system.
The federal government has specifically identified the need to hire and retain more early childhood educators, with new investments aimed at strengthening the childcare workforce across Canada.
For international students interested in working with children and families, childcare-related programs can therefore offer a direct connection to a sector where trained professionals are needed.
Seats in these programs can fill quickly because demand for early childhood educators continues to grow alongside the expansion of childcare services.
Students interested in childcare should apply early and confirm that the exact program they choose is PGWP eligible before accepting an offer.
2. Healthcare Programs
Healthcare remains one of Canada’s strongest areas of labour demand.
Health Canada has acknowledged ongoing workforce shortages, retention challenges and the need to add thousands of healthcare providers across the country.
This makes healthcare-related programs particularly relevant for students interested in careers connected to clinical care, community support, rehabilitation and other health services.
Healthcare and social services occupations also remain a priority category under Canada’s current Express Entry system, reflecting the continued demand for workers in the sector.
Because healthcare programs can be competitive, international students should begin their admission process early and ensure that their selected program meets the requirements needed for their career and immigration plans.
3. Skilled Trades Programs
Skilled trades are one of the clearest areas of labour demand in Canada.
The federal government projects more than 593,000 job openings in Red Seal trade-related occupations between 2024 and 2033, while continued investment in housing and infrastructure is expected to add further demand.
Canada also identifies in-demand trades such as carpenters, construction electricians, welders, plumbers, steamfitters and industrial mechanics across different provinces.
For international students, affordable PGWP-eligible skilled trades options are currently available in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick.
These options include:
- Tuition of around CAD $3,500 per semester
- PGWP-eligible program options
- Applications open for the September 2027 intake
- Practical training connected to occupations in demand
The low tuition and strong labour demand make these programs particularly attractive, which also means seats can fill quickly.
Students interested in these programs should apply early rather than waiting until spaces become limited.
4. Master’s Programs
Master’s programs can be a strong option for international students who already hold an undergraduate degree and want to advance academically while building their career in Canada.
They are especially relevant for students pursuing specialised professional, technical, business or research-based careers.
Master’s graduates also have an important advantage under current PGWP rules because eligible master’s degree graduates are not subject to the field-of-study requirement that applies to certain other types of programs.
For students looking for advanced qualifications and a pathway to Canadian work experience after graduation, choosing an eligible master’s program can therefore be a strategic option.
Program Choice and Permanent Residence Planning
For students whose long-term goal is permanent residence, the program selected at the beginning can have a major impact on what options are available after graduation.
A PGWP-eligible program can allow an eligible graduate to work in Canada after completing their studies. That Canadian work experience can later support eligibility for programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs or other economic immigration pathways, depending on the student’s circumstances.
Canada’s current immigration priorities also continue to focus on transitioning people with Canadian experience into permanent residence, while maintaining category-based selection for occupations facing labour shortages.
This is why international students should think beyond simply gaining admission. The school, program, PGWP eligibility and potential career opportunities should all fit into the same long-term plan.
Canadian Study Permit for International Students
After receiving admission to a suitable Canadian school, most international students coming to Canada for programs lasting longer than six months will need a Canadian study permit.
Applicants need to prepare the required admission and immigration documents, demonstrate sufficient financial resources and satisfy the other requirements that apply to their circumstances.
Students interested in programs already attracting strong demand should start the admission process early so there is enough time to complete both the school application and study permit process.
How Sehli Global Can Help
Sehli Global helps international students identify suitable programs that are PGWP eligible and can position them for future permanent residence opportunities.
We help students understand available intakes and choose a school and program that fit their academic background, career plans and long-term immigration goals, and once the required admission documents are available, we help them prepare their Canadian study permit application and supporting immigration documents.
If you are considering childcare, healthcare, skilled trades or master’s programs in Canada, book a consultation with Sehli Global to identify an option that fits your plans.
Contact us: +1 (226) 799-7149
Frequently Asked Questions
What programs are currently in demand in Canada?
Some of the programs currently connected to strong labour demand in Canada include childcare, healthcare, skilled trades and master’s-level professional programs. Childcare and healthcare are experiencing workforce shortages, while Canada continues to report strong demand for skilled trades workers across construction and infrastructure-related occupations.
Which skilled trades are in demand in Canada?
In-demand trades vary by province, but current federal information identifies occupations such as carpenters, construction electricians, welders, plumbers, steamfitters, industrial mechanics and heavy-duty equipment technicians among trades needed across different parts of Canada.
Are affordable skilled trades programs available in Canada?
Yes. Current skilled trades options in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick have tuition of around CAD $3,500 per semester, with selected PGWP-eligible options available for the September 2027 intake.
When should students apply for programs that are filling quickly?
Students should begin as early as possible once the intake opens. Programs in childcare, healthcare and skilled trades can attract strong interest because they connect with areas of labour demand, while lower-cost programs may fill even faster.
Can studying an in-demand program guarantee permanent residence?
No program guarantees permanent residence. However, choosing a PGWP-eligible program connected to an in-demand occupation can give an eligible student a stronger opportunity to gain Canadian work experience and later explore suitable permanent residence pathways.
How Do I Begin My Application?
You can begin by reaching out to Sehli Global for guidance on your study options in Canada. We help you identify a suitable school and program based on your academic background and career plans, understand available intakes, and check that your selected program supports PGWP eligibility and your plans toward permanent residence.
Once the required admission documents are available, we also help you prepare your Canadian study permit application and supporting documents.
Book a consultation with Sehli Global to start your application
