CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Alberta to expand on PNP program

Friday, 1 June 2007

Alberta seeks to expand their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to increase the flow of immigration by offering more occupations that would be eligible under the program. 2500 individuals are expected to come to live and work in Alberta under the program.

The government is looking to reduce the current labour shortage in the province by expanding the PNP. Alberta's booming resource economy has meant that business is in desperate need of workers, especially skilled tradespeople.

In 2002, the government of Alberta together with the federal government allowed 100 nominees into the province at the start of the Pilot PNP program.

The PNP officially became a permanent program and is currently expected to nominate 2,500 individuals who are expected to be accompanied by their families.

Alberta receives approximately 20,000 immigrants each year and the expansion of the PNP will further improve the labour market in Alberta.

The focus of the program is on international graduates who will be offered permanent employment from companies in Alberta. In order to qualify, the international student must have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Alberta or Canada or from an authorized private institution. The graduate must have obtained a degree, diploma or graduate level credentials.

Previously, the PNP accepted applications of foreign workers who were skilled in occupations such as nurses, educators, trades people managers and nurses. The new program includes manufacturing, tourism and trucking jobs as well. The government is looking to improve the quality of life in Alberta as well as building safe and secure communities in Alberta.