Maple News reports that Nova Scotia has launched a targeted program called Critical Vacancies to connect Express Entry candidates with employers facing urgent labor needs. The province has begun issuing Notices of Interest to eligible Express Entry profiles that align with current vacancies, serving as a bridge between skilled workers abroad and local employers.
At launch, the initiative identifies two sectors—construction and healthcare—as the initial focus. Nova Scotia has not yet listed specific healthcare occupations, and a new Critical Vacancies tab has been added to the Live in Nova Scotia portal to host information, applications, and official forms related to the program.
In construction, six occupations have been posted with corresponding National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:
– 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
– 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
– 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
– 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
– 72310 – Carpenters
– 73100 – Concrete finishers
The government notes that a Notice of Interest is not an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Rather, it is a mechanism to connect qualified foreign workers with local employers who have been unable to fill roles domestically. Candidates who receive a job offer through this process may be well-positioned to pursue federal or provincial immigration pathways, and in some cases may receive an Invitation to Apply through Express Entry as part of the process.
What happens next for NOI recipients? They will be asked to provide details about their work experience, education, and qualifications by submitting a form available on the Critical Vacancies page. The program is designed to expedite matches between employers and international talent, rather than guarantee immediate permanent residency. Maple News will continue to monitor developments as Nova Scotia expands and refines the Critical Vacancies initiative.