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By Vernon Multicultural Connections
Local Opportunities

Vernon Chosen for Immigration Pilot

Aug 6, 2019 | 9:23 AM

One of the challenges facing business in Vernon and area is a skilled labour shortage which cannot be filled solely by local residents or those entering the labour force.

The community needs to recruit workers not only locally and provincially, but nationally and internationally to meet the growing demands of our employers.

Vernon is one of 11 communities in Canada selected to participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program.

This pilot program is similar to one running in Atlantic Canada since March 2017 and is designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to communities outside of the larger metropolitan areas. The RNIP program provides an opportunity to assist in filling a portion of our communities’ job openings.

Communities work directly with employers along with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to create a permanent residency opportunity to attract skilled workers to the region. Applicants must meet community specific eligibility, federal selection criteria and have a full-time permanent job with a local employer.

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Vernon’s program will be managed by Community Futures North Okanagan and will be available to employers within a 40km radius of Vernon.

Vernon is currently developing community criteria in conjunction with IRCC for skilled immigrant worker applicants. It is anticipated that criteria will be finalized in late 2019 and that we will begin accepting applications in January 2020.

What is the process?

Applicants who meet the community criteria will also need to find a full-time permanent employment opportunity in Vernon. Click here to see online version of the process graphic.

Additional resources

For those who are looking to hire workers there are additional opportunities including:

Work BC Vernon

Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot Program

by Vernon Multicultural Connections
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