Dear Mr Brown,

I hold a degree in management and currently work for Scotiabank, but expect my post to be made redundant soon, like many, many others in the near future. You have already assisted many of my colleagues and I would like your recommendation for a programme of study and whether you think banking is a good industry to pursue in Canada.

— D

Dear D:

The banking sector, as a whole — including financial planners, wealth management officers, financial advisers, financial analysts, investment advisers, insurance brokers and bank tellers — is expected to grow in Canada. As I have stated in a past article, the largest demographic in terms of age in Canada is in the 60s.

This segment has an accumulation of earnings, retirement accounts, as well as inheritances from their parents. Consequently, as this group moves from debt management to asset management and consumption, financial services will have an increased customer base.

Centennial College

A popular one-year programme that many bankers are pursuing in Canada is financial planning at Centennial College. The programme is designed for students who have already completed a diploma or degree and wish to enter the financial planning field in Canada.

It is a practical programme, rather than based on a thesis or dissertation. It provides students with the tools to become licensed through the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam.

The curriculum includes:

• Comparing and contrasting select financial products and services, investment planning and counselling services for clients, while adhering to industry standards; and

• Tax and legal implications within a financial planning situation.

Graduates will find work in areas associated with their studies and the CFP licence with:

• Banks

• Credit unions

•Financial planning companies

• Life insurance companies

• Mutual fund companies

• Investment dealers

Lambton College

There is also a popular two-year graduate programme in financial planning and wealth management at Lambton College. Students gain specialised career expertise, technical knowledge and selling skills required to work in banks, credit unions, mutual fund companies, investment dealers, stock brokerages, independent financial planning firms, stock brokerages, and insurance companies.

The final term of study includes a co-op work experience in the financial services industry. Normally co-op work experience attracts tuition fees. However, at Lambton, it is offered free of cost, which cuts the tuition fees in half for the second year.

Although you have experience in Jamaica, Canada prefers Canadian experience. As such, if you complement your background with a marketable credential and relevant work experience in Canada, your journey to permanent residence and full-time employment in Canada should be successful. Should you be interested in pursuing such programmes, I can assist you with the process. Should you wish to pursue permanent residence, after you graduate from programme, you will earn additional points under the Express Entry programme.

Please visit jamaica2canada.com for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including Express Entry, the Study and Work progamme, visitor’s visas or appeals, etc.

­­Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and education agent of