Manitoba's Minister of Education and Training, Ian Wishart, has announced implement improvements to service standards, stating that “As of this month, all candidates who submit complete applications to the program will be processed in six months or less.”
At a press conference announcing the improvements, Wishart confirmed that a backlog of applications to the program — which stood at more than 5,100 applications in April 2016 — has now been cleared.
The MPNP, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program, allows the province to select prospective immigrants with skills and experience targeted by the province, and to attract active investors in Manitoba's economy.
New Online Job Resource
A further improvement to the program comes in the form of an online resource listing in-demand jobs in the province, which is expected to be updated regularly based on labour market analysis and input from stakeholders. The resource will be published after being approved by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
A further improvement to the program comes in the form of an online resource listing in-demand jobs in the province, which is expected to be updated regularly based on labour market analysis and input from stakeholders. The resource will be published after being approved by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The new online resource will include priority areas such as increased francophone and regional immigration.”
Manitoba expects approximately 170,000 jobs to open up between now and 2022, “with demand spread across multiple sectors including manufacturing, finance, services, trades and transportation, agri-business and information technology. At least 25 per cent of projected job-openings are expected to be filled by immigrants.
International Students Recognized
Wishart also announced that new pathways would be introduced to enable international students in Manitoba to transition to permanent resident status. Such pathways are expected to include partnerships with post-secondary institutions, and support for international students to pursue study programs that will support careers in occupations in demand in the province. With more than 11,000 international students from 125 countries studying in Manitoba each year. The minister said “expanded outreach initiatives will encourage those interested to pursue careers and settle in this province.”
MPNP for Skilled Workers
The MPNP for Skilled Workers was established to help employers in Manitoba find foreign talent to complement their existing workforce. The government of Manitoba selects experienced workers who have made an Expression of Interest in immigrating to the province and who have the skills needed across the local labour market, and nominate them to receive a provincial nomination certificate from the MPNP. With this, the nominated person may then apply to the federal government for permanent resident status.
MPNP Skilled Workers in Manitoba
Under this sub-category of the MPNP, applications are accepted from qualified foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent job by their employer in Manitoba. Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject to a points-based assessment to determine their eligibility.
MPNP Skilled Workers Overseas
This MPNP sub-category is for qualified skilled workers who may be outside Canada but who can demonstrate a strong connection to the province and its labour market. A points-based system is used to assess candidates according to factors such as age, language proficiency, work experience, education and adaptability.
