Helping Bring Immigrants to the Province

Provincial Government Invites Employers to Join Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project

Today, the Provincial Government announced the beginning of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project, an innovative initiative aimed at increasing employer engagement in immigrant retention.

Through the pilot project, the first of its kind in Canada, employers in Newfoundland and Labrador will help up to 442 newcomers settle here, stay long term, and help grow the local economy. Eligible immigrants may include international graduates from the Atlantic provinces and those whose jobs usually require job-specific training. This pilot project is in addition to the Provincial Nominee Program, raising the annual number of skilled immigrants employers in this province can access to 1,492 annually.

“When we consulted business leaders and residents throughout the province, we heard that a strong immigration plan is critical to securing a sustainable future for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program will be an integral part of our government’s upcoming Immigration Action Plan. This plan, to be unveiled in the very near future, will help make the province even more attractive to individuals and families seeking to start a new life in Canada.”
– The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

A partnership between the Federal Government and Atlantic provinces, the pilot program is designed to respond to the unique challenges facing Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador. By providing settlement supports to immigrants, employers will have the ability to more directly address their labour needs, including in rural and remote areas.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with employers and government partners to support the settlement and retention of newcomers arriving under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. Welcoming newcomers and supporting the settlement process is part of the work we do every day. The Association for New Canadians has a solid infrastructure in place to support a broad array of settlement supports including information and orientation programming, English as a Second Language training, skills development and employment supports as well as outreach and distance services.”
– Megan Morris, Executive Director, Association for New Canadians

The pilot project is open to designated employers in Newfoundland and Labrador who meet program requirements, including a commitment to support the delivery of settlement supports to help the sponsored immigrant and immediate family integrate into their new life in the province. To assist employers interested in joining the pilot project, the Provincial Government will host a series of information sessions throughout the province. Once finalized, a full schedule will be published at www.nlimmigration.ca/en/employer/atlantic-immigration-pilot-program.aspx.

In The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government committed to increasing the annual number of immigrants welcomed to Newfoundland and Labrador to 1,700 by 2022. For more information, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf.

QUICK FACTS

• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is now operational and the Provincial Government is inviting employers with labour challenges to seek designation.
• The pilot project allows employers in this province to sponsor up to 442 skilled immigrants to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador, including rural and remote areas.
• The Provincial Government will hold a series of information sessions across the province to assist employers interested in joining the pilot project.

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Source: http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca