PNPs: Canada’s alternative route to immigration success for skilled workers

In recent times, Canada’s immigration landscape has witnessed a significant shift with the introduction of category-based Express Entry draws, which place greater emphasis on professional experience rather than Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. While this approach has opened doors for many aspiring immigrants, it begs the question: What options exist for those in professions not targeted by these category-based draws?

The answer lies in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which has gained prominence as Canada’s top pathway for economic immigration. Operated by nearly every province (except Nunavut and Quebec), PNPs have long adopted the targeted draws model, nominating candidates who can address specific demographic and economic needs.

Here, we highlight some in-demand jobs by province, which are often targeted through each province’s PNP:

Alberta: Alberta’s PNP (AAIP) focuses on high-demand occupations like retail sales supervisors, registered nurses, transport truck drivers, and more.

British Columbia: The British Columbia PNP (BCPNP) categorizes its targeted occupations into tech, healthcare, childcare, and other priority sectors.

Manitoba: The Manitoba PNP (MPNP) classifies targeted occupations into ten categories, covering a wide range of professions.

New Brunswick: While New Brunswick’s PNP (NBPNP) doesn’t have a formal list, it provides information on sectors with high job vacancies.

Newfoundland and Labrador: The NLPNP categorizes in-demand jobs into healthcare, ICT, technical specialist, and aquaculture occupations.

Northwest Territories: The NTPNP forecasts top in-demand jobs for the next 15 years, categorizing them by education or experience level.

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia’s PNP has a small list of targeted occupations, mainly within TEER levels 3, 4, and 5.

Ontario: Ontario’s PNP (OINP) uses the Employer Job Offer stream to invite individuals with in-demand skills and employer job offers.

Prince Edward Island: PEIPNP targets occupations like nurse’s aides, transport truck drivers, construction trades helpers, and more.

Saskatchewan: The SINP targets occupations in TEER levels 0 to 3, except those on the excluded occupation list.

Yukon: Yukon’s PNP focuses on occupations within TEER levels 0 to 3 through the Skilled Worker and Critical Impact Worker streams.

Each PNP has its own eligibility criteria, in addition to requiring full-time work experience in a targeted or in-demand profession. To determine if your job matches any of these categories, it’s advisable to search for your job title’s National Occupation Code (NOC) to understand its responsibilities and alignment with Canadian job categories.

While category-based Express Entry draws have their place, PNPs offer alternative pathways to Canadian immigration, ensuring that individuals with various skills and backgrounds have opportunities to contribute to the country’s growth and development.