Ontario seeking immigrants with construction experience

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In early August, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development issued notifications of interest to 2,844 potential candidates with work experience in specified skilled trades who may qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Candidates received a notification if they had a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 250-516 and work experience in any of the national occupational classification (NOC) codes included in the call. That list included numerous in-demand construction-related skilled-trades occupations, such as carpenters, electricians, and construction workers.

The province says it will need over 100,000 more skilled trades workers this decade to build its ambitious infrastructure plans on time and on budget.

“Our government was the first in Canada to ban unfair and discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements to help thousands of skilled newcomers work in the professions they’ve trained for,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We need world-class talent to build a stronger Ontario for generations to come, and we are proud to extend the opportunity to 2,844 more men and women today.”

The ministry is advising anyone who is interested in being considered for future OINP draws to learn about the different streams and to register an expression of interest in the OINP’s Expression of Interest system pool or to register a profile in the federal Express Entry system pool.

Every year, Ontario welcomes more immigrants than any other province in Canada. In 2022, the OINP nominated 9,750 people for permanent residence in Ontario, the highest number of nominations ever. More than 40 per cent of the 2022 nominees had work experience in a skilled trade.

More information about the program is available on the ministry’s website.

www.ontario.ca