The education system in Canada is recognised as one of the best in the world, having top-notch infrastructure, curriculum, and teachers. The results are in front of us as Canada is one of the most preferred countries for pursuing higher education. It is not just the infrastructure that makes Canada’s education system the best, but it is also the academic staff who work wholeheartedly to offer the best education.
Teaching jobs in Canada are coveted, well-respected positions that come with respectable salaries and benefits. Many provinces and territories in Canada have a shortage of qualified teachers and the demand for newcomers has been consistent year after year. This is pleasing news, particularly for those coming to Canada to study or work and in search of better opportunities.
The State of Education Sector in Canada
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranks Canada as the most educated country in the world with more than 57% of adults in the country having a college or university credential. An average of about 6% of the country’s GDP is spent on education with a major portion of this investment going to tertiary education.
Most of the education in Canada is provided publicly and is funded and overseen by the federal, provincial, and local governments. Education in Canada is divided into three phases – primary, secondary, and post-secondary. Four universities in Canada regularly rank in the top 100 universities globally, and nearly 18 universities are seen consistently in the top 500 worldwide. There is no surprise why students from far and wide rush to study in Canada and being a part of this education system, as a teacher, is surely a matter of utmost pride.
Reason to Pursue Career as a Teacher in Canada
Pursuing a career as a teacher in Canada, you will experience a better quality of life and much more lucrative opportunities. There has been a shortage of teachers at all levels of education, be it at kindergarten or university level. Demand is particularly good for secondary school teachers who are involved in preparing and teaching technical, academic, vocational, or specialised subjects at private and public secondary schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments also form this group that is in demand.
Manitoba, Quebec, and Yukon Territory have very good job prospects for secondary school teachers, while Ontario, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories also raise requirements for teachers regularly. Over the period 2022-2031, more than 52,000 jobs will open up for secondary school teachers, however, there are only around 47,000 job seekers to fill these jobs. A good enough gap will still be left and open a window of opportunity for those planning to pursue studies in Canada. Talk to overseas education consultants in Canada to learn more about pursuing a degree that can be fruitful for you.
Working as a Teacher in Canada
Where there are opportunities and benefits, there are challenges and demands as well, and the teaching profession is no different. The fact that you are involved in honing future careers brings in a good amount of responsibilities. Here are tasks that you will have to accomplish while working as a teacher in Canada.
You will be preparing study materials for presentations to students as per the approved curriculum, and teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, audio-visual presentations, discussions, and field studies. Along with assigning and correcting homework, a secondary school teacher is also engaged in evaluating the progress and determining the individual needs of students. The same will be discussed with the parents and school officials.
If you are looking forward to making a career as a secondary school teacher in Canada, you will require a bachelor’s degree in education along with a degree in the subject you will teach. Teachers of vocational or technical subjects need to have specialised training or experience in the related field along with a degree in education. Most provinces will ask to attain a teaching certificate before you can work as a teacher, and membership in the association or federation of that province will also be required.
As a secondary school teacher, you will be earning a median salary of CAD 45 per hour with some places paying as high as CAD 73 per hour. Given the kind of physical demands that are required by this profession, the wage paid is appropriately justified. Some of the job profiles that open up regularly in this sector include English teacher secondary school, remedial teacher, secondary school department head, supply high school teacher, trades instructor, vocational teacher, etc. You can take a quick look and apply for different job openings on the official job portal of Canada.
The Takeaway
The easiest way to integrate yourself with the education system of Canada and make a living out of it is by pursuing a degree in education. While you do so, you will become familiar with the certification and licensing requirements of working in a particular province or territory. Being a secondary school teacher may be demanding but the perks and the respect you earn in the process of fulfilling those demands is truly incomparable.
