That is correct. The skilled immigration program is not a catch-all for smart people, it's specifically designed to grow the economy in a planned direction, as well as to fulfill shortages that are anticipated to/already exist.
I'm actually no longer sure that I am right, unless you have another source. The website states [1]:
> You must have at least one year of full time experience in the last ten years in a management or
> professional or highly skilled occupation. These are listed as Skill Type O, Skill Type A or Skill
> Type B on the National Occupation Classification List. You will find further details in our
> skilled worker guide.
At first reading, it would seem that only "shortage occupations" [2] meet this criterion. However, the precise language would suggest that any occuption with an NOC skill type of 0, A or B qualifies. That would suggest any job with a NOC code beginning with 0 or with the second digit 1 or 2 would qualify [3].
Yeah, I'm pretty confused now that I read the official federal government site. I suggest you contact a lawyer if you want a definitive answer.
But my reading of it:
- If you do not have a job offer, you must fall under a listed shortage occupation (i.e., not the entirety of the Type 0, A, and B lists).
- If you do have a job offer (a good enough job offer, at that) in a Type 0, A, or B occupation, you do not need to be in a shortage class.
This makes some logical sense. If you don't have a guaranteed job coming into Canada, it makes sense for the government to ensure you are in a shortage occupation to maximize your odds of actually being employed.
