VICTORIA –Responding to the crucial need for more health-care workers and early childhood educators (ECEs), BC is announcing changes toB.C. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The changes will be implemented for the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Skills Immigration stream and prioritize health-care workers and ECEs in the application process and will increase the number of people nominated in these occupations for permanent residence. The B.C. PNP Skills Immigration stream supports employers to meet their workforce needs and complements B.C.’s Economic Plan.
Health-care assistants are newly eligible to apply for the PNP program, and along with ECEs, they will now be given priority access. This change will give people with these skill sets a better chance for acceptance under the program’s eligibility criteria.
“Health-care assistants who support seniors in long-term care, assisted living and in their homes are among the most in-demand occupations in British Columbia, both today and for years to come,” said Terry Lake, CEO, BC Care Providers Association.
The Province is also expanding the health authority category to include any occupation, so health authorities will be in a better position to recruit and retain workers.
“The changes to expand the health authority category will significantly improve PHSA’s ability to recruit and retain workforce in our specialized occupations,” said Derek Menard, talent acquisition adviser, Provincial Health Services Authority.
Other changes to the skills immigration categories include clarifying or adjusting criteria to align with government economic priorities and strengthening program integrity, to best support qualified applicants for success.
As the only immigration program under provincial control, the PNP enables the Province to directly select qualified, prospective immigrants and nominate them and their families for permanent residency.
Priority access will be given to qualified candidates whose occupation is on this list of in-demand health occupations:
Job titles
Managers in health care
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Specialist physicians
General practitioners and family physicians
Dentists
Chiropractors
Allied primary health practitioners
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Pharmacists
Dietitians and nutritionists
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
Medical laboratory technologists
Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
Medical radiation technologists
Medical sonographers
Cardiology technologists and electrophysical diagnostic technologists
Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
Denturists
Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
Practitioners of natural healing
Licensed practical nurses
Paramedical occupations
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
Dental assistants
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient-service associates
Psychologists
Social workers
Family, marriage and other related counsellors
Social and community service workers
Learn More:
B.C. PNP Program: https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program
