Saskatchewan makes 279 more jobs eligible for immigrant nominee program
CBC
Saskatchewan is adding 279 intermediate and lower-skilled occupations to the list of jobs in which workers will be allowed to apply for permanent residency through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson made the announcement Wednesday on behalf of Jeremy Harrison, minister of immigration and career training.
"With this expansion, workers from an additional 279 occupations such as home childcare providers, equipment operators and meat cutters will be able to apply for permanent residency through the existing work permit stream of the SINP," Jenson said.
"These changes will increase the retention of intermediate and lower skilled workers and address labour market gaps Saskatchewan employers are currently facing."
Jenson said many of Saskatchewan's economic sectors will benefit from this expansion, including manufacturing, sales and service, agriculture, arts, entertainment and recreation, and transportation.
Prior to the announcement, only workers in 34 high-skilled occupations and designated trades were eligible for SINP.
This announcement will particularly help Ukrainian newcomers who have recently arrived under the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Work Permit, Jenson said.
"It's my hope that these changes offer some certainty for their futures at a time where certainty has been in short supply," he said.
"We know that immigration plays a vital role in our workforce and we're constantly adapting to respond to our labour market needs."
Jenson said the new change will help Saskatchewan reach a population of 1.4 million and create 100,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.
A provincial spokesperson said the people applying for SINP will still need to meet basic English requirements and noted that there are free English classes available for newcomers.
The Saskatchewan government negotiated with the federal government for an increase in the annual allocation for SINP for the next three years.
Danylo Puderak, the executive director with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan, welcomed the announcement.
"Since the start of the Russian invasion, nearly 5,500 Ukrainians have arrived to Saskatchewan and the arrivals continue on a daily basis," he said.
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