Deskilling and labour market barriers among skilled racialized immigrants in British Columbia: a mixed-methods study

Abstract This study examines the deskilling experiences of skilled, racialized immigrants who immigrated to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and resided in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Skilled immigrants, particularly racialized immigrants, continue to face barriers in the Canadian labour market, resulting in significant deskilling, which has negative implications for the country’s economy and skilled immigrants. This mixed-methods study drew on a quantitative survey (n = 111) and qualitative focus group discussions (n = 18) to examine the complex dynamics contributing to deskilling. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The quantitative results revealed that deskilling was significantly associated with the non-recognition of foreign credentials, upgrading education in Canada, bridging social capital, and having a master’s degree as their academic qualification. The qualitative findings revealed three overarching themes: (a) the illusory nature of meritocracy in employment, (b) deficiencies in social and community resources, and (c) gendered pathways to deskilling. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the systemic and gendered barriers faced by skilled racialized immigrants in British Columbia’s labour market. It emphasizes the importance of revisiting current immigration policies to better align with labour market realities and address these inequalities.