In collaboration with the federal government, New Brunswick will launch a pilot project to address labour shortages.
On the 7th of November, 2022, the provincial government of New Brunswick announced a brand new immigration pilot project: the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP).
The pilot (a joint project between federal and provincial governments) aims to address critical worker shortages in New Brunswick. The pilot is special in that it will not just provide economic immigration to the province, but will also guarantee settlement services (including skills and language training) for newcomers who arrive through the project.
According to Arlene Dunn—the minister responsible for Immigration and Opportunities New Brunswick—”participating employers will greatly benefit from filling critical vacancies and applicants will find meaningful work in a welcoming community”.
Along with addressing critical labour shortages, New Brunswick is concerned with retaining newcomers, and recognizes that meaningful work is a key factor in doing so; this pilot is a first step towards addressing both issues. The NBCWP will work with six selected employers in New Brunswick:
- Cooke Aquaculture Inc.;
- Groupe Savoie Inc.;
- Groupe Westco;
- Imperial Manufacturing;
- J.D. Irving Ltd.; and
- McCain Foods.
These employers were selected for their impeccable track record in the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), good immigrant recruitment practices, and because they already have the necessary settlement programs in place. As part of their participation, these employers must:
Guidelines for Employers: Pilot Project NBPNP
The six selected employees will have to follow some guidelines as described under this pilot program as following:
- Employers have to ensure that new immigrants should not face any problems in housing and transportation settlement. The settlement should be so that new immigrants can remain in Canada for an extended period.
- Employers should plan their human resources in-depth for hiring and recruiting highly skilled newcomers who are looking for Canadian immigration and provide essential training for enhancement.
- Ensure every needy immigrant should get 200-hour language training.
- Give new immigrants advice and assistance if they decide to seek their Canadian secondary education equivalency.
The five-year pilot program will be monitored and evaluated regularly so that it remains responsive to immigration needs and delivers the desired outcomes for the province.
