Immigration Canada

Transitioning from Semi-Skilled Worker Status to Canadian Permanent Residency

Recruitment Day (Photo credit: Middle Island Fire Department)

By David Cohen

Over 300,000 temporary foreign workers currently reside in Canada. They perform vital jobs in a wide array of professions and skill levels. Economic prosperity in Canada is increasingly dependent on workers who perform ‘semi-skilled’ occupations. These workers can be found in a range of key sectors, including but not limited to trucking, hospitality, construction, and manufacturing.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), semi-skilled work requires a secondary-school level of education, and/or on the job training in order to perform. However, it does not necessarily require post-secondary education. Semi-skilled occupations are classified as ‘C’ level in Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC), which organizes Canadian jobs according to their industry and the level of skill required to perform them. In addition to semi-skilled (NOC ‘C’ level) jobs, there are skilled jobs (NOCs A and B levels) and managerial jobs (NOC 0 level). Below semi-skilled are unskilled jobs, which are classified as NOC level D.

Most economically-driven Canadian immigration programs require workers to have experience in a ‘skilled’ job (NOC 0, A, or B levels). However, semi-skilled workers already in Canada may have a number of immigration options available to them, should they choose to pursue a Permanent Residency application.

In this article, the first in a two-part series, CIC News will explore the various programs that offer permanent residency options to semi-skilled (and sometimes unskilled) workers:

Options for Semi-Skilled Workers

All economic immigration programs with semi-skilled worker streams come under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs are tailored to suit the labour needs of individual provinces. As such, no two are exactly the same. Interested applicants are encouraged to research what sort of regulations and requirements a program needs before applying.

In this article, CIC News will briefly outline five PNPs that include a semi-skilled worker component. In the next mid-month newsletter, we will explore the final five PNPs. Be aware that applicants to all PNP programs now require applicants to meet meet minimum language requirements in either English or French:

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP):

Employer Driven Stream/Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Semi-skilled workers in the following five industries may be eligible to apply to this stream: Food and Beverage Processing, Hotel and Lodging, Manufacturing, Trucking, Foodservice.
An unlimited amount of candidates in the fields of front desk/clerk, room attendant, food and beverage processors, heavy haul truckers of all types, and food services will be accepted by the program until November 28th, 2013.
Applicants must be currently living in Alberta and working in the province for at least six months. Minimum total work experience in the field ranges from 6 months (trucking) to three years (food and beverage).
English language requirements for semi-skilled workers applying through the AINP program are less stringent than requirements for skilled workers

Strategic Recruitment Stream/Compulsory and Optional Trades Category

A range of skilled and semi-skilled occupations are eligible for this program. Applicants must be currently residing in Alberta on a valid work permit, and must possess both an invitation from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and an Alberta Qualification Certificate.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP):

Long Haul Truck Driver Stream

Truck drivers must be working in the industry in Saskatchewan for a minimum of 6 months, and have a total of 2 years of experience. They must have an eligible job offer from an employer in the field.
They must possess Saskatchewan Class 1A license and be able to drive to the United States.

Hospitality Sector Pilot Project

Food/Beverage Servers, Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helpers, and Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff may be eligible under this stream
Applicants must be living in Saskatchewan and must have worked for at least 6 months in one of the above industries.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP):

Strategic Occupations Stream/Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Semi-skilled workers in the following three industries may be eligible to apply to this stream: Tourism and Hospitality, Long-Haul Trucking, and Food Processing.
Both semi-skilled and unskilled (NOC levels C and D) workers may be eligible to apply provided they are living and working in Northeastern British Columbia. This is provided as part of the Northeast Pilot Project.

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP):

Skilled Worker Applicants with Employer Support Stream

Workers in occupations at NOC C and D levels in the following industries may be eligible for this program: business, health, sales, trades/transportation, natural resources, and manufacturing. They must have been working for more than a year with their New Brunswickemployer. They must also receive an eligible job offer from the employer.
Applications to this program are assessed on a points scale. Applicants must meet the 50 point mark to qualify for the program. Points are allocated on the basis of age, education, work experience, language ability and overall adaptability.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP):

Employer Direct Stream

NOC C and D level workers may be eligible for this program provided that they have been living and working in Manitoba for 6 months prior to submission of their application. They must hold an eligible job offer from a Manitoba employer.

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2013/10/transitioning-semiskilled-worker-status-canadian-permanent-residency-102963.html

As Canadian Industries Boom, Civil Engineers in High Demand

English: Al Bordeau Reviewing Plansets. Is this a plan of utilities like water supply, electricity, etc in a urban district (MUD District Tract = Municipal Utility District)? which? what device is lying there? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By David Cohen

All around the world, civil engineers are among the key drivers of economic and societal growth. In Canada, a country with a rapidly expanding economy, the need for skilled engineers has never been greater. Civil engineers who come to Canada are able to take advantage of one of the most welcoming and well-paying job markets in the world, and many are able to stay in Canada permanently as Canadian Permanent Residents.

The Need for Civil Engineers

Civil engineering is one of the largest branches of engineering, comprising approximately one fifth of the entire discipline. Despite its popularity, Canada is facing a drastic shortage of qualified civil engineers. This is due to a number of factors, including expansion of projects throughout the country and a work force that is, on average, older and closer to retirement than other engineering disciplines.

While civil engineers are coveted across Canada, the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are especially in need of experts in this field. According to Statistics Canada, 2013 was the first year that the ‘excess supply’ of civil engineers in the country reached zero. This means that, statistically, the profession has full employment. At current rates, it is expected that thousands of civil engineering jobs will need to be filled by the year 2020.

With too few Canadian graduates pursuing this career path, many employers are looking abroad to find the workers they need. Shawn Paulson, an Edmonton-based engineering recruiter, said the following in an interview with the Financial Post:

“We’ve shown a 25% increase in overall hires each year, and those are all engineers. Last year alone we hired over 600 engineering-related professionals. Unfortunately, there are just not enough graduates right now.”

Civil Engineers Find Success in Canada

Once in Canada, civil engineers benefit from good jobs and competitive salaries. Because their skills are in high demand, they have the flexibility to work almost anywhere they wish, provided that they obtain the necessary certification.

Even recent civil engineering graduates with limited professional experience are highly sought after. In fact, the entry level salary for this field is one of the highest in Canada, with new graduates regularly making figures in the mid $60,000 range. Mid-career and advanced level professionals can make salaries in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With so much demand for their skills, civil engineers can choose not just their place of work, but also the type of work they wish to do. They are therefore often able to work on fulfilling assignments in fields directly associated with their expertise, whether they are in a booming city or on the Canadian frontier.

“With a growing population in need of services, not to mention the incredibly profitable natural resources sector, engineers are needed more than ever to help Canada meet current and future needs,” said Attorney David Cohen. “More than almost any other occupation, their skills are truly rewarded at the highest levels.”

Coming to Canada as a Civil Engineer

At any time, a foreign engineer may travel to Canada as a Temporary Worker, provided they have received an eligible job offer and obtained the necessary work authorization. However, there are also many options for civil engineers to immigrate directly to Canada as Permanent Residents.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program awards a high number of points to civil engineers, whose profession is currently listed on the province’s list of eligible areas of training/fields of study. Once in Canada, engineers who immigrate through this program may seek work in Quebec’s cities or extensive natural resource sector, or they may pursue employment opportunities elsewhere in Canada.

Additionally, Civil Engineers are on the current list of eligible occupations for the popular Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is accepting only 300 applications for each targeted occupation, so interested applicants should be aware that quick action may be required to submit an application before the program closes for this year.

If an individual is already working in Canada as a civil engineer, s/he may be eligible to apply through the Skilled Worker stream of the Provincial Nominee Program that covers their province of residence, or through the Canadian or Quebec Experience Class programs.

“Overall, there is no shortage of opportunities for a civil engineer to come to Canada,” said Attorney David Cohen. “With such valuable skills, they will truly have all of Canada ready to welcome them to their new home.”

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2013/10/canadian-industries-boom-civil-engineers-high-demand-102959.html

Career Resources for Newcomer Nurses

Czech nursing students. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You got your education and became a Registered Nurse. You worked in this challenging field, giving your skills and talents to help your patients. Now you've immigrated to Canada. How can you get back to work in your chosen profession?

The following is a directory of resources for newcomer nurses who want to get back into the practice of nursing. Each province and territory has different resources, and different governing bodies that control licensing of nurses. The country as a whole also has a national association, and a national exam, the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination, which all registered nurses must pass in order to be licensed to practice in Canada.

There are some resources here for practical nurses and psychiatric nurses, too; more will follow. All involve help to get your qualifications in line with Canadian requirements, so you can get back to working in the nursing field.

All of Canada:

The Canadian Nurses Association provides information for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to practice in Canada, and sells an Examination Prep Guide to help you get ready to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials has information on requirements for Internationally Educated Nurses who want to work In the field in Canada.

Ontario:

The College of Nurses of Ontario has pages of information devoted to Internationally Educated Nurses, with information on how they can qualify to register for practice in Ontario.

HealthForceOntario has a special section of their website for nurses outside the province who want to practice, including requirements, immigration information, and other useful resources.

The CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is an organization dedicated to helping IENs bridge their qualifications and successfully enter nursing in Ontario. They offer workplace-specific language courses, networking, job shadowing, workshops and exam preparation classes.

The Government of Ontario website provides information, career maps and links for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to practice in Ontario.

Mohawk College offers the Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) Certificate Program, to integrate your skills and safe practices with Ontario standards as required by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The program includes nursing-specific language courses.

Centennial College has a Practical Nurse Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses who do not wish to pursue baccalaureate nursing education in Canada.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario is a professional association for the profession in the Province, with information and multiple links to help for IENs wishing to practice there.

Fanshawe College offers the Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) Certificate Program, to integrate your skills and safe practices with Ontario standards as required by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

George Brown College offers an Academic Pathway for Nurses Graduate Certificate Program, which provides Internationally Educated Nurses whom the College of Nurses of Ontario have assessed as needing to meet designated theory and clinical elements.

British Columbia:

The College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia is the governing body of the profession in the province. In addition to information, they provide a registration application package especially for IENs.

The Internationally Educated Nurses Assessment Service of British Columbia provides IENs an opportunity to demonstrate their professional knowledge, skills and abilities, supporting the completion of registration requirements.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers a Graduate Nurse, Internationally Educated Re-Entry Certificate Program to enable IENs to bring their qualifications into line with those of British Columbia, and preparing them to write the CNRE.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia is the governing body for Practical Nursing in the province, and has information for IENs wishing to be registered in practical nursing.

Thompson Rivers University offers transitioning courses, which Internationally Educated Nurses may use to support their Canadian licensure.

The HealthMatch BC website has a Frequently Asked Questions section for IENs wishing to practice nursing in BC.

Alberta:

The Alberta Learning Information Service offers occupational profiles for different kinds of nursing in Alberta.

The Government of Alberta provides a flowchart for the nursing registration process, as well as information about accreditation and requirements.

The College & Association of Registered Nurses in Alberta has information and links for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to practice in the Province, as well as this set of Instructions for Internationally Educated Applicants.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta also provides information and links for IENs wishing to work as practical nurses in Alberta.

Mount Royal University has an Internationally Educated Nurses Assessment Centre, whose purpose is to provide Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) assessment services which support the completion of nursing registration requirements.

The Live and Work in Alberta website has an extensive page with information about how IENs can qualify to work in the Province.

Directions for Immigrants provides information and links for IENs who want to work as practical nurses in Alberta.

Bow Valley College offers a Practical Nurse Diploma for Internationally Educated Nurses Program, for IENs wishing to work as practical nurses in Alberta.

Saskatchewan:

The Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association has information and links for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to practice nursing in Saskatchewan.

The Government of Saskatchewan has resources to help IENs become licensed and practice nursing in the Province.

The Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses details the steps for IENs to licensure for practical nursing in the Province, with helpful links and downloadable forms.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) offers an Orientation to Nursing in Canada for Internationally Educated Nurses Certificate Program, designed to bring your qualifications into line with the province’s specifications and prepare you to write the CRNE.

Manitoba:

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba has a page of Frequently Asked Questions for IENs wishing to qualify to practice nursing in the Province.

Red River College has a Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses which will prepare you for working as a Registered Nurse in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Nurses Union offers programs which help IENs improve their English skills and cultural knowledge related to Canadian nursing, as well as a Diversity Coordinator who can help you learn what you’ll need in order to practice nursing in Manitoba.

The Government of Manitoba provides a Resource Guide for IENs immigrating to Manitoba who want to practice their profession in the Province, as well as a guide to the Licensing Process http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/browse/work_in_manitoba/profession/list/rn.html.

The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba has information and links for Internationally Educated Psychiatric Nurses who wish to practice in Manitoba.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba provides credentials assessment and resources for IENs who want to work as practical nurses in Manitoba.

Québec:

CEGEP John Abbott College offers a tuition-free Professional Integration Nursing in Québec for Internationally Educated Nurses attestation program, to prepare IENs to integrate into nursing in Québec.

Ordre de infirmières et infirmiers du Québec is the governing body of the nursing profession in Québec, and provides information for IENs wishing to qualify to work in the Province.

The Government of Québec (Immigration-Québec) provides much information for IENs who wish to practice nursing in the Province.

New Brunswick:

The Nurses Association of New Brunswick offers information and links for IENs wishing to practice nursing in the Province.

The Nursing in Atlantic Canada website is specially dedicated to helping Internationally Educated Nurses pursue nursing careers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Atlantic Connection for Internationally Educated Health Professionals is a website devoted to helping IENs and others internationally educated in the health care field qualify to continue their careers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island:

The Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island provides this downloadable application form for Internationally Educated Nurses http://www.arnpei.ca/images/documents/Registration%20-%20internationally%20educated%20nurses2011.pdf who wish to practice in their field in PEI. The Association requires that prospective nurses who are IENs have their credentials assessed by World Education Services (WES) http://www.wes.org/ca/arnpei.asp.

Capital Health Registered Nurses Professional Development Centre has an Internationally Educated Nurse Assessment Centre, which helps IENs obtain qualifications to work in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia:

The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia is the governing body for the profession in the Province, and provides information for Internationally Educated Nurses planning to practice in Nova Scotia.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia has information for IENs who wish to work as practical nurses in Nova Scotia.

Health Team Nova Scotia offers steps for IENs to follow for registration and licensure in the Province.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

The Association for Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador is a professional association for nurses, which provides information for IENs wishing to register and practice in the Province.

Practice Newfoundland Labrador has a Resource Guide for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador provides information on licensure to practice the profession in the Province.

Nunavut:

The Registered Nurses Association of Northwest Territories and Nunavut is the licensing body for the nursing profession in those Territories, and has licensing information for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to pursue the profession there.

Northwest Territories:

Yukon:

The Yukon Registered Nurses Association is the licensing body for the nursing profession in the Territory, and has licensing information for Internationally Educated Nurses wishing to pursue the profession there.

We hope these resources have been of help. If you find more that you believe we ought to include here, feel free to let us know!

Source:http://www.cnmag.ca/not-only-doctors/1682-resources-for-newcomer-nurses

Canadian Immigration presents agri-food opportunity.

Agriculture (Photo credit: thegreenpages)

Changing needs in the domestic market won’t be enough, however, to meet premier’s agri-business challenge says economist

by SUSAN MANN

New Canadians present a growing market opportunity for agri-business, provided businesses can adapt to changes in food preferences and can quickly roll out their products, says Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist.

But a Western University economist says he doubts shifts in the domestic market present enough of a growth opportunity for companies to meet Ontario Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne’s challenge of doubling the province’s agri-food sector growth by 2020.

“When you’re talking about adding billions of dollars of extra food processing and sales of primary agricultural products, you’re not going to do that in Canada,” says David Sparling, chair of agri-food innovation and regulation at the university’s Ivey School of Business. “Our market isn’t big enough.”

The industry therefore must also focus on increasing exports and adding more value to products, such as establishing local food systems, or manufacturing more value added products, he says.

Jean-Phillippe Gervais, chief agricultural economist with Farm Credit Canada, highlighted the market opportunity presented by new Canadians on Tuesday in a company news release. The release notes that by 2020, “immigration will account for 2.2 million new Canadians and two-thirds of Canada’s population growth.” FCC predicts that the growth could mean an additional $27 billion in Canadian food spending over the next seven years.

In 2011, the largest share of Canada’s immigration population — 45 per cent — came from Asia; Statistics Canada has estimated 55 per cent of new Canadians will come from Asia by 2031, the news release says.

It adds that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has projected that demand will grow for foods such as poultry and chickpeas.

Last year Ontario imported $19.8 billion worth of agri-food products, and Wynne noted meeting consumers’ changing tastes presents one way agri-business can meet the challenge she issued Monday at the Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food Innovation at Queen’s Park.

Supplying niche markets, such as organic, health and artisan foods, specialty goods, and biochemical or composite materials as well as competing more aggressively to capture a growing share of existing and emerging international markets presented other opportunities, she says.

Wynne’s challenge has garnered both support and criticism.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business was encouraged the premier is focusing on the potential of the province’s agricultural sector says Mandy D’Autremont, the organization’s policy analyst. But for the sector to grow, “it will be important for the government of Ontario to provide the environment that will address the sector’s competitive challenges,” such as government red tape, he notes.

Ontario Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman predictably found fault with the challenge, noting it lacked details of how Wynne expects the industry to achieve the goal.

Source: http://www.betterfarming.com/online-news/significant-growth-canadian-immigration-presents-agri-food-opportunity-52365

Eligibility criteria and benefits of Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

English: Manitoba Province within Canada. Español: Provincia de Manitoba en Canadá. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Posted on October 7, 2013

Canada is one of the most sought after countries for skilled workers. The country has long since attracted highly skilled professionals with its Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program and other Study and works Visas.

The Canadian Visa Processing is stringent and highly monitored. However, it has launched Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) which makes easier for skilled workers to move to and work in Canada.

The main idea behind these PNPs is to attract skilled professionals to specific provinces of Canada so that they can work in the country and the province can be benefited from the immigrants’ skill. This will provide with easy Canada Immigration for individuals and the province will have a surge in its economy through the immigrants.

Manitoba is one of the provinces of Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program is one of the best programs that the Government of Canada offers to skilled workers looking for migrating to Canada.

Eligibility criteria for Manitoba PNP:

Currently, there are two paths to Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program:

1. Working in Manitoba at present: Temporary Foreign Workers already working in the province can apply for MPNP. Also, a foreign student graduate who has been working full-time for a minimum of 6 months and whose employer has extended a long-term, full-time job ca also apply for the program. Individuals applying under this should be working in Manitoba at the time of applying for Manitoba PNP.

2. Overseas Skilled Workers: Applications are accepted from highly skilled workers who gain enough points for adaptability and employability based on 5 factors –English proficiency, age, work experience, Connection to Manitoba and Education.

Nominating individuals for the Canada PR Visa is solely at the discretion of the Province of Manitoba. This will be based on the Manitoba PNP’s assessment of the applicant’s probability of having a establishing oneself as a successfully economic independent skilled worker with the genuine ability and intention to settle in Manitoba with permanent residency.

There are two primary reasons that attract individuals toward Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program which are:

1. Canada Permanent Residence: Through this program, individuals can apply for Canada Permanent Residency (PR). A Permanent Residence gives an individual almost equal status to a citizen of Canada and after a few years of living in the country and fulfilling a few norms, a PR holder can even apply for Citizenship.

2. Expedited Processing: Individuals who are ‘nominated’ by the Manitoba Government have the option of preparing a separate application that accelerates their Visa Processing.

So, these are the eligibility criteria and benefits of applying for a Canada PR through Manitoba PNP. For a hassle free processing of your Visa documentation, contact ‘Opulentus – The Visa Company’. We have an experience of over 12 years and out expert consultants provide excellent advice on Study Visas, Work Visas, Visit Visas and more.

Immigration Canada

Transitioning from Semi-Skilled Worker Status to Canadian Permanent Residency