Migration defines the world in which we live today. As an individual, one of the questions that you need to ask yourself is, are the skills that I have in demand around the world? Being in the right profession gives you the freedom to work from almost any country around the world.
Most countries out there have a critical skills list. If you possess skills that are in short supply, it will be very easy for you to migrate to the country of your choosing. In this article, we are going to outline the critical skills lists for different countries around the world;
The United States
The United States is a major destination for migrant workers. That’s largely because the world’s biggest economy has so much to offer in terms of opportunities and living standards. So, which skills are most in demand in the United States?
If you have the right skills and education level, you can apply for what is referred to as H-1B visa. This allows employers in the U.S to hire people with degrees in specialty professions for up to 6 years. The following are a few of the skills that are in demand;
- Computer professionals
- University lecturers
- Engineers
- Healthcare workers
- People in the Finance sector
- Attorneys
- Architects
- Medical professionals
- Scientists
- Journalists and editors
- Psychologists
Australia
Australia is another favourite destination for people around the world. It’s a place that is famous for its sun and for the relaxed pace of life. If you would like the chance to work in Australia, there are a number of critical skills that can help make it happen.
Australia has what is referred to as a Priority Migration Skills List. This lists the skills that are in short supply in the country. If you have one of those, then you can apply for an Australian visa. The following are some of the skills that are in demand in Australia;
- Construction Project Manager
- Accountants
- Auditors
- Surveyor
- Cartographer
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Engineers
- People in the Medical field (doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc)
- Multimedia Specialist
- Analyst Programmer
- Developer Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Software and Applications Programmers
- ICT Security Specialist
- Social Workers
- Maintenance Planner
- Chefs
South Africa
South Africa is Africa’s most developed country. It’s not surprising, therefore, that a lot of people on the continent and beyond are looking to migrate to the Rainbow Nation. Migrating is easy if you have a skill that features on the country’s Critical Skills list.
The following are some of the professions that are in demand in the country;
1. Actuary
2. External auditor
3. Nurse educator
4. Aeronautical engineer
5. FET phase school teacher (Grades 10-12)
6. Medical professionals
7. Agricultural scientist
8. Geologist
9. Policy and planning manager
10. Architect
11. ICT System Analyst
12. Quantity surveyor
13. Biotechnologist
14. Industrial Engineer
15. Research and development manager
16. Investment manager
17. Chief Information Officer
18. Engineers
19. Conservation scientist
20. Tax Professional
Canada
Canada is another top migration destination for professionals around the globe. This is a country that is well known for its amazing scenery. Canada has what is referred to as the Canada Occupation in Demand list. The following are some of the professions that feature on this list;
1. Financial managers
2. Human resources managers
3. Purchasing managers
4. Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
5. Banking, credit and other investment managers
6. Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
7. Telecommunication carriers managers
8. Postal and courier services managers
9. Architecture and science managers
10. Computer and information systems managers
11. Medical administrative assistants
12. Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
13. Insurance underwriters
14. Assessors, valuators and appraisers
15. Customs, ship and other brokers
16. Health workers
17. Pharmacists
18. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
19. Chefs
The United Kingdom
For many people, the United Kingdom is the ultimate migration destination. If you are one of the people looking to move to the UK, your task will be made easier if you have one of the skills that are in demand over there. The United Kingdom has what is referred to as a Shortage occupation list. The following are some of the professions that feature on this list;
1. Health services and public health managers and directors –
2. Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
3. Chemical scientists
4. Biological scientists and biochemists
5. Physical scientists
6. Social and humanities scientists
7. Civil engineers
8. Mechanical engineers
9. Electrical engineers
10. Electronics engineers
11. Design and development engineers
12. Production and process engineers
13. Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified
14. IT business analysts, architects and systems designers
15. Programmers and software development professionals
16. Web design and development professionals
17. Information technology and communications professionals not elsewhere classified – only cyber security specialists
18. Veterinarians
19. Actuaries, economists and statisticians
20. Architects
21. Quality control and planning engineers
22. Laboratory technicians
23. Artists
24. Dancers and choreographers
25. Musicians
26. Arts officers, producers and directors
27. Graphic designer – all jobs
28. Welding trades
29. Care workers and home carers –
20. Senior care workers
Summary
In this article, we gave critical skills lists for some of the most sought after migration destinations around the world. Our lists are, by no means, exhaustive. They are just a broad outline of what you can expect. If there is a country that you are interested in, you should do more research to find out whether or not you qualify to migrate based on your professional skills.
One thing of note is that it’s not only degreed individuals who are sought after in countries around the world. In Australia, as an example, chefs are in high demand. In the United Kingdom, you can get a visa and a job if you are a Care Worker. That’s a profession that you can learn in a few months. In South Africa, IT professionals are in demand. Medical workers are in demand around the world, including in South Africa. If you are in the banking sector, you also have a chance to migrate to that country and to other countries around the world.
