What work experience actually counts toward permanent residence under the caregiver pilots?

What generally counts is Canadian work experience gained in the eligible occupation while working under the pilot's own occupation-specific work permit, not just any caregiving job, and not necessarily work done before you entered the pilot. IRCC assesses whether the duties you actually performed match the occupation the pilot is built around, so a job title alone is not enough if the substance of the work does not fit.

This is a common point of confusion. Caregiving experience gained abroad, or gained in Canada under a different, unrelated work permit before switching into the pilot, generally does not automatically count toward the qualifying period. Full-time, genuine employment in the right occupation, properly documented, is generally what IRCC looks for, and gaps, part-time arrangements, or work for an employer that was not properly authorized can create problems when the file is assessed.

Because the specific requirements for what counts have shifted over time as these pilots have been adjusted, it is worth confirming current guidance before assuming any particular period of work will qualify. An immigration lawyer can review your actual work history and documentation against the pilot's current criteria before you rely on it for a permanent residence application.