Opportunities New Brunswick (NB) has launched a new immigration pilot program stream to help support the province’s increasing labour needs, in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Starting April 1, 2022, international students who graduate from one of four long-standing New Brunswick private career colleges, Atlantic Business College, Eastern College, McKenzie College and Oulton College. And who have studied in one of 19 identified occupations, will be able to apply to the NB Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), allowing them to work and live in the province while they wait for permanent residency. Usually, candidates who study at private colleges are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

This is a new stream that is available to new graduates, who study at designated learning institutions, who are not currently eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.

PNP programs are tailored to meet each of the province’s unique needs and have programs aligned to those needs. PNP nomination from a province gives you 600 CRS points under the federal express entry system.

“We are excited that we can help retain more international students by opening up an innovative pathway that is made for New Brunswick,” said Arlene Dunn, minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “With the increased competition for skilled labour, the potential to transition international students into permanent residents is crucial.”

“This initiative is something we have been working on for quite some time and we are pleased to get it across the line,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder. “Newcomers are key to addressing the challenges of our labour market, and by providing this additional immigration stream we are empowering more of our post-secondary institutions to develop the skilled workers that New Brunswick needs.”

The 19 eligible targeted occupations for this pilot include:

• social and community service workers;
• early childhood educators and assistants;
• educational assistants;
• health-care aides;
• home support workers;
• licensed practical nurses;
• paramedics and related occupations;
• medical laboratory technologists;
• medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants;
• medical administrative assistants;
• computer programmers and interactive media developers;
• web designers and developers;
• computer network technicians;
• user support technicians;
• accounting technicians and bookkeepers;
• payroll clerks;
• shippers and receivers;
• supply chain and logistics supervisors; and
• production logistics co-ordinators.

The details and specific requirements and criteria for the new pilot will be available will be made available this fall at www.welcomenb.ca.

Need a hand with your application, contact us today.  Turningstone Immigration Consulting is a full-service Immigration consultancy. Our services are provided by Certified Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

We deal in all types of immigration-related applications, like, Express Entry, Permanent Residence (PR) applications, Study Permits, Work Permits, PGWP, Visit Visa (Temporary Resident Visas), Super Visa, Family Sponsorships for PR Applications, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Refusals of all application types and much more. Contact Us Today.