If you are thinking of relocating abroad, have you thought about which has more job opportunities between Canada and the UK? Canada and the United Kingdom are both famous destinations for people seeking career opportunities and a better quality of life. Even though both countries have their unique set of benefits, it can be argued that Canada tops the chart.
However, before you consider immigrating to Canada or the UK, you need to make inquiries about job opportunities, cost of living, housing, education, and many more. Moreover, the type of job and the income you receive will influence your stay in either of the countries. Both countries have great numbers of employment opportunities and provide many job potentialities.
While Canada seems to allocate jobs in a diverse range of industries and fields, the UK doesn’t seem to make up for it. Furthermore, Canada has an unemployment rate of 7.5% which is the lowest since 2020. Although the unemployment rate in the UK is 4.8% which is lower than Canada’s there are several industries where Canada surpasses the UK.
In this article, we will discuss the work benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of working in these two countries. Dive in!
Benefits of Working in Canada or the UK
Listed below are some benefits to consider when thinking about which has more job opportunities between Canada and the UK.
1. Work hours
The average working hour in Canada is 37 hours per week. Canadian federal law specifies that the standard working hours of an employee are eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. However, an employee can still work for a maximum of 48 hours per week. Meanwhile, if you work any hours beyond the standard hours, your employer must pay an overtime wage of 1.5 times the normal hourly wage.
In the United Kingdom, the average full-time working hour of an employee is 36 hours per week. The law further stipulates that no employee should work more than 48 hours per week over 17 weeks. Although workers can decide to withdraw from this limit.
2. Work benefits
Canadian workers usually get spectacular work benefits which include paid parental, annual, sick, and care giving leave. The UK also offers similar workers benefits as well but differs in various ways.
3. Job Opportunities
Both Canada and the UK offer great job opportunities but Canada has possibly better options open for foreign workers. Additionally, the two countries demand skilled workers to immigrate but Canada makes it much simpler and easier too. For instance, Canada’s express entry program does not require applicants to have a job offer to qualify.
However, the UK equivalent requires a job offer and also a minimum salary of £25,600. In Canada, an employer needs to demonstrate that your role as a worker cannot be performed locally. The UK uses the employer sponsorship system to invite certain professions like the L-1 visa and H1-B visa.
4. Post Graduation Work Permits
The Canadian Post Graduation work permit enables graduates in Canada to work after studying, for some years. However, this depends on the duration of their course and up to a maximum of three years. This work permit will enable you to work in any field or industry.
The UK Home Office offers international students a post-study work visa (Graduate route visa). Furthermore, this opportunity permits international students to stay in the country for work after graduation. If you intend to work in the UK after graduating, you’ll need to apply for a skilled worker visa.
5. Job market
Both Canada and the UK have strong job markets with opportunities in different sectors. However, these job prospects may vary based on the type of industry and the region. While Canada has a robust economy with growing industries like technology and healthcare.
The UK has a more established financial sector and a wider range of cultural and creative industries. Job prospects in both countries are quite similar, and the applicant’s skills and experience are also a necessity.
Scroll down as we take you through some of the in-demand jobs in both Canada and the UK.
Employment Opportunities
Canada provides better employment opportunities (full-time and part-time) in many industries compared to the UK. However, a lot of industries are available in Canada that outperform those in the UK.
Here is the list of some popular jobs in both Canada and the UK
Canada
Some of the highest-paying jobs in Canada include Engineers, Financial Analysts, Pharmacists, Surgeons, Accountants, Project Managers, IT Managers, Nurses, and Lawyers.
Average Annual Salary in Some Job Sectors in Canada
- Business Development Manager – $88,000.
- Project Manager – $95,000.
- Electrical Engineer – $90,400.
- Registered Nurse – $86,360.
- Surgeon – $315,000.
- Accountant – $65,000.
UK
In the UK, some of the in-demand and highest-paying jobs include Dermatologists, Orthodontists, IT Directors, Data scientists, Marketing and sales directors, Lawyers, and Engineers.
Average Annual Salary in Some Job Sectors in the UK
- Corporate lawyer – £75,500.
- Dermatologist – £101,000.
- IT & Telecommunication Directors – £105,000.
- Medical Practitioners £103,504.
- Engineers – £40,000.
- Orthodontists – £85,000
- Data scientists – £60,000
Advantages of Working in Canada
1. Healthcare
Basic healthcare is one of the major benefits of an employee in Canada. However, the Canadian healthcare system covers a vast range of medical services and treatments for all qualified residents. This scheme is of great value to many workers and it’s an essential component of their overall compensation package.
2. Impressive Minimum Wage
Over the years, Canada has set a strong foundation for income by establishing an impressive minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage in Canada is $16.65 per hour.
3. Paternity/maternity leave
Canada offers generous maternal/parental leave benefits to new or expecting parents. This policy allows new mothers to take anywhere from 17 and 52 weeks of leave from their jobs based on their employment history and hours worked. In addition, temporary residents with valid work permits in Canada may also qualify for parental benefits if they have social security numbers.
Disadvantages of Working in Canada
1. Expensive lifestyle
Canada has a high cost of living compared to other countries. However, food and groceries are quite expensive while clothing items are 20% more expensive. Furthermore, your cost of living will depend on the province or city where you would like to reside in Canada.
Somehow, many people successfully manage and control their costs. Also, the cost of rent is quite high in big cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
2. Climate
The northern part of Canada has a cooler environment than the rest of the world. Winters here and in the northern areas are very cold. Generally, in December, the average temperature is 0 degrees and in January, the temperature will drop to -2 degrees. But in those months, the temperature is also sure to drop to -17.
Advantages of Working in the UK
1. Access to Free Education
Public schools in the UK are state-funded and tuition-free for all pupils. Therefore, every legal resident in the country can enroll their children in tuition-free schools up until the age of eighteen.
2. Easy access to Europe
One of the top benefits of living and working in the UK is the fact that you can easily visit any country in Europe. The United Kingdom can easily be accessed with Heathrow Airport being the main hub for international travel. As well as plenty of cheap and affordable airlines available for you to visit Europe whenever you want.
Disadvantages of Working in the UK
1. Cost of living
The cost of living in the UK is not for the fainthearted, especially if you settle in London. London is the destination hot spot for a lot of newcomers, however, it’s not the ideal place to live if you are still trying to get your footing in a new country. Furthermore, housing prices, food costs, utilities, and everyday spending will all count toward your expenses.
2. Low wages outside of London
A major drawback to deciding to pursue your career in the UK is the comparatively low wages. To make a good salary, you might need to live in London or neighboring cities like Reading, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Crawley, Slough, and Oxford. However, the trade-off with living in these cities is the high living costs.
In the northern region where life is cheaper, the wages are relatively low. The average full-time worker living in the North East of England earns 25% less per week than what is obtainable in London.
Conclusion
While both countries have their advantages and disadvantages, the question of which country has more job opportunities between Canada and the UK lies with you. The younger people may prefer the UK, but Canada is a better option for advancement in life and stability. Canada is also known for its multicultural and welcoming nature. Kindly drop your comments and questions.