Recently, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) added heavy equipment operators and laborers to the targeted occupations list for its Occupations In-demand subcategory stream.
As of May 14, 2021, applicants with work experience in occupations classified as National Occupational Code (NOC) 7521- Heavy Equipment Operators and NOC 7611- Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers will be prioritized when nominating applicants for provincial nomination.
The targeted occupations list already includes occupations like nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, and transport truck drivers.
Why Was the Targeted Occupations List Expanded?
Nova Scotia has a declining workforce due to an aging population. Experts believe that only population growth fueled by immigration can ensure timely economic recovery of the province, especially after the pandemic. Also, increasing immigration levels to Nova Scotia will contribute to the higher federal immigration targets for 2021.
The Canadian government recently decided to make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program permanent to encourage economic immigration to Atlantic Canada. Given the restricted immigration levels due to the pandemic, Nova Scotia’s economy is expected to recover by 4.2% this year and 2.4% in 2022. However, these numbers are expected to rise with the return to normal immigration levels.