Maple News reports that Manitoba has conducted two new rounds of invitations under its Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), focusing on international student graduates and skilled workers whose expertise aligns with the province’s economic needs.
On July 10, the MPNP issued a total of 67 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) for provincial nomination. The nominations were split between two streams: 40 invitations were issued through the International Education Stream (IES), and 27 through the Skilled Worker Stream (SWS). Of the total LAAs, 29 were extended to candidates with valid Express Entry profiles and job seeker validation codes, highlighting Manitoba’s ongoing alignment with federal immigration targets.
Through the IES, the province targeted recent graduates of Manitoba post-secondary institutions. Candidates were primarily selected through the Graduate Internship Pathway, which is tailored for international graduates who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in Manitoba within the past three years. Eligible applicants must have completed an internship with Mitacs or Accelerate in a qualifying Manitoba industry, demonstrate language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7, and currently reside in the province. Additionally, they are required to submit a Career Employment Plan, confirming their long-term employability and commitment to Manitoba.
The Skilled Worker Stream invited 27 candidates under either the ‘Skilled Worker in Manitoba’ or ‘Skilled Worker Overseas’ pathways. These individuals were selected based on their profiles indicating a connection to Manitoba through a strategic recruitment initiative. The minimum cut-off score for selection in this stream was 673, emphasizing the competitiveness of the draw.
These targeted draws reflect Manitoba’s strategic approach to immigration, focusing on talent retention from local educational institutions and attracting experienced professionals with skills that match provincial labor market demands. Such efforts are vital to strengthening the province’s workforce and supporting long-term economic growth.
This draw is another example of how Canadian provinces are working to address workforce shortages by prioritizing candidates who have already demonstrated ties to the region, either through education or strategic labor initiatives.
According to Maple News, applicants interested in these MPNP pathways should ensure they meet eligibility criteria, including language requirements, residence in Manitoba, and alignment with industry needs to improve their chances in future selection rounds.