Workplace Challenges
Threat #1: Labour shortageManitoba: handpicking educated immigrantsMove to Manitoba. This message is being heard around the world thanks to a successful program geared to draw educated immigrants to the prairie province. By Jennifer McFee |
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 [ 2009-03-03 ] |
In 2007, immigration to Manitoba increased by nine per cent to 10,955 — the highest level in 50 years.
The province is making its mark on the international employment scene through its Provincial Nominee Program, designed to grab the attention of educated immigrants. Addressing the overarching problem of the educated-employee shortage, this free program is separate from the federal immigration process. It allows Manitoba to handpick specialists who have the education, job experience and language skills needed in the province.
“The idea is to recruit people who will come to your province, stay in your province and have a skill set that is in need in your province,” says James Townsend, assistant economics professor at the University of Winnipeg.
“Programs like this give Manitoba more leverage for dealing with problems like labour shortages.”
Increased immigration
The first of its kind in Canada, the program has successfully garnered interest from educated immigrants around the world since it launched in 1998.
Today, nearly three quarters of Manitoba’s newcomers – primarily from the Philippines, Germany, India, China and El Salvador – were chosen through the program.
Based on its success over the past decade, the Provincial Nominee Program is well positioned to meet Manitoba’s labour needs in years to come, as well as its 2016 target of landing 20,000 immigrants.
For further information on Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs
Or see Quebec’s program
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