Human Resources 101

More nominations and a wider range of occupations eligible

Edmonton… An expanded Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) could help reduce the province’s labour shortage, by allowing employer applications for newly graduated international students and workers in the transportation, manufacturing and tourism sectors.

The program, administered by the Alberta government in conjunction with the federal government, began as a pilot project in 2002 and processed about 100 nominees. Now a permanent program, PNP is expected to handle about 2,500 nominations this year and more in the coming years.

“The increased number and type of immigrant coming through this program is just one of the many outcomes made possible by the recently signed Canada Alberta Cooperation on Immigration Agreement,” said Iris Evans, minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry. “Alberta currently receives about 20,000 immigrants annually and I expect the expanded Provincial Nominee Program will help increase and speed up the flow of immigrants and help address our labour shortage.”

A new focus of the program will be on applications from international student graduates who are being offered permanent full-time employment from Alberta companies. The international graduate must have obtained a diploma, degree or graduate level credential from a public post-secondary institution in Alberta or Canada or from a private institution authorized to grant degrees in Alberta.

In the past the program reviewed applications from employers with foreign workers seeking permanent residency in occupations requiring post-secondary education such as physicians, nurses, educators, managers and trades people. The program now includes jobs in manufacturing, tourism and trucking.

“This expanded program is only one part of the Made-in-Alberta Immigration strategy,” said Evans. “Alberta needs the right workers, at the right time, with the right skills. We are also working on new international marketing activities, improved internet information and expanded settlement services.”

This program expansion is part of Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan for managing growth pressures. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans’ quality of life, providing safe and secure communities and to build a stronger Alberta.

For more information on the program call 1-877-427-6419 or go to www.alberta-canada.com/pnp

Expanded program will help increase immigration flow