Maple News reports that Nova Scotia held two targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws on October 7, issuing a combined total of 330 invitations to Express Entry candidates with the skills and experience needed in the province.
The majority of the invitations—286—were issued to skilled workers who had a full-time job offer from a Nova Scotia employer. To qualify, these candidates needed at least one year of related work experience, a Canadian high school diploma (or equivalent), and demonstrated English proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 or higher. The job offer must span at least one year after the applicant obtains permanent residency. All documentation must be submitted by the application deadline of November 6.
A separate draw targeted 44 candidates specifically in the skilled trade of carpentry. To be eligible, applicants were required to have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade, along with the same CLB 5 English proficiency requirement. This initiative underscores Nova Scotia’s focus on addressing its construction industry labor shortages amid growing infrastructure development across the province.
Both draws were conducted under the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream, which is part of the broader Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). This stream aligns provincial labor needs with federal immigration pathways and routinely targets specific occupations that are in demand.
Candidates invited in either category must provide comprehensive documentation as part of their application. This includes language test results, academic credentials, and a detailed job offer letter outlining the position’s duties, wage, working hours, duration, and National Occupation Classification (NOC) code. If the role is unionized, a letter indicating union support must also be attached.
Nova Scotia continues to strategically utilize its PNP to fill labor gaps in key sectors and support the province’s economic growth. These draws not only offer a promising route to permanent residency in Canada but also help employers connect with globally sourced talent amid ongoing labor shortages.
According to Maple News, the frequent use of occupation-specific draws demonstrates a more agile and efficient approach to provincial skilled immigration, especially when aligned with local market dynamics and real-time employment needs.