New Brunswick Launches Pilot Program
New Brunswick has launched a new pilot program aimed at filling hard-to-fill jobs in the province. The program, called the Critical Worker Pilot, is a five-year initiative starting in 2022 and will target six employers to start with. These employers have a good reputation and have previously hired workers through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP). The six employers are Cooke Aquaculture (aqua farming), Groupe Savoie Inc (wood industry/hardwood processing), Groupe Westco (poultry producer), Imperial Manufacturing (heating, air conditioning, ventilation), J.D. Irving Ltd (shipbuilding, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, transportation), and McCain Foods (potato farming/processing).
Requirements for Employers
The pilot program has strict requirements for employers. They must have robust settlement plans for housing and transportation to support the successful establishment of candidates into their new jobs and communities, with strong commitments to long-term retention. Employers must also have comprehensive human resources planning in place for recruiting and hiring skilled international talent and for on-the-job skills enhancement. They must provide up to 200 hours of language training as required and offer guidance and support to candidates who may wish to pursue their Canadian secondary education equivalency.
Prioritizing Health and Technology-Related Occupations
The program is prioritizing health and technology-related occupations and has listed 12 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes to focus on. The NOC codes for technology occupations include computer engineers, database analysts, software engineers, computer programmers, web designers, computer network technicians, user support technicians, and information systems testing technicians. The NOC codes for health-related occupations include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, home support workers, and housekeepers.
Candidate Participation
The Critical Worker Pilot is an employer-driven stream and candidates must either be working with one of the six participating employers or be in the hiring process with one of these companies. The program does not accept direct applications from interested candidates.
If a candidate does not fall into one of the targeted NOC codes, the province will guide them towards the Atlantic Immigration Program.
The Critical Worker Pilot is a great opportunity for skilled workers in health and technology industries who are looking to work in New Brunswick. Employers who meet the program requirements and are interested in participating in the pilot can find more information on the WelcomeNB website.
Sources:
https://www.welcomenb.ca/content/wel-bien/en/critical-worker-pilot.html https://www.immigration.ca/new-pilot-immigration-program-in-new-brunswick-targets-hard-to-fill-jobs/
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