Category: Digital Media Occupations

Description: The position is for one of the following occupations:

·        Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 2173)

·        Graphic Designers and Illustrators (NOC 5241)

The advertising variation is limited to Digital Entertainment Software Engineer (NOC 2173) and Digital Artist (NOC 5241) positions within the video gaming and digital animation/visual effects industries. These positions require highly-specialized skills and/or unique artistic talents in order to successfully complete projects.

Variation: No advertising or recruitment is required.

Applicability: British Columbia only

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Note that this LMO category is different from the IT category because it is an LMO application, meaning that an LMO application needs to be made prior to the temporary foreign worker applying for the work permit.  This is different from the IT category, which did not require an LMO application and allowed the temporary foreign worker to proceed directly to the work permit application.

Compared to the previous IT category, the Digital Media LMO category is limited to only two occupations instead of seven: 

1.       The IT category occupation “Senior Animation Effects Editor” (NOC 9990.1) has been replaced with “Digital Artists” (“DA”)(NOC 5241).  The duties of the intended position need to be consistent with some of the following generic duties prescribed under NOC 5241 (copy attached):

          • Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs

          • Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards, stationery, etc.

          • Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products, television advertising and productions, etc.

          • Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations

          • May adapt existing illustrations.

          • Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs

          • Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication

          • Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives

          • Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software

          • Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design

          • Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs

          • Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers

          • Co-ordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, interactive terminals, etc.

          • Co-ordinate sub-contracting

          • Work in a multidisciplinary environment

          • Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.

                The qualifications which need to be met are as follows:

          • A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning

or

            Completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.

          • Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.

                The wage needs to meet the prevailing wage for the region of BC, as indicated in the attached extract fromwww.workingincanada.gc.ca.  For example, currently in the Greater Vancouver region, the prevailing wage is $23.05 an hour (this is significantly lower than the $85,000 required under the previous IT category occupation “Senior Animation Effects Editor” (NOC 9990.1)).

2.       The IT category occupations “Embedded Systems Software Designer” (NOC 9990.2), “Multimedia Software Developer” (NOC 9990.4), and “Software Products Developer” (NOC 9990.6) have been replaced with “Digital Entertainment Software Engineers” (“DESE”).  The duties of the intended position need to be consistent with some of the following generic duties prescribed under NOC 2173 (copy attached):

          • Collect and document user's requirements and develop logical and physical specifications

          • Research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computer-based systems

          • Develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs

          • Plan, design and co-ordinate the development, installation, integration and operation of computer-based systems

          • Assess, test, troubleshoot, document, upgrade and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software

          • May lead and co-ordinate teams of information systems professionals in the development of software and integrated information systems, process control software and other embedded software control systems.

                The qualifications which need to be met are as follows:

          • A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics

                    or

            Completion of a college program in computer science is usually required (“usually” suggests that it may be possible to justify this not being a requirement).

          • Experience as a computer programmer is usually required (“usually” suggests that it may be possible to justify this not being a requirement).

                The wage needs to meet the prevailing wage for the region of BC, as indicated in the attached extract fromwww.workingincanada.gc.ca.  For example, currently in the Greater Vancouver region, the prevailing wage is $31.22 an hour (this is higher than the $45,000 required under the previous IT category occupation “Multimedia Software Developer” (NOC 9990.4)).

Regarding the reference “These positions require highly-specialized skills and/or unique artistic talents in order to successfully complete projects” concerning the Digital Media category, Service Canada/HRSDC has advised that temporary foreign workers applying under this category are generally assumed to be specialized workers with unique talents.  Notwithstanding, we recommend that the LMO application describe the “highly-specialized skills and/or unique artistic talents” required for the position and the work permit application describe how the particular temporary foreign worker meets such requirement(s).

Note that when making an LMO application under the Digital Media category, the employer is urged to indicate that the application is being made under either the DA or DESE occupation.  This will facilitate proper application streaming. 

Moreover, for the video gaming and digital animation/visual effects industries in BC, if a case of urgency can be made for an LMO application concerning ANY occupation, Service Canada has committed to processing the LMO application within five business days.  Such applications are to be submitted by fax to 604.666.7731.

Learn more at:  http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/lmodir/variation.shtml#a19