Nova Scotia Office of Immigration

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Nova Scotia Office of Immigration

• Aerospace and Defence Human Resources
• Partnership of Nova Scotia
• 4 May 2006

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Agenda

• Why diversity?
• Issues and Opportunities
• How has Province responded to date?
• Immigration strategy
• Budget, office
• Programs
• How can Business respond?
• NSNP
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program
• Existing categories
• New Streams
• Priorities

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Why Diversity?Issues Impact of Demographics
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Issues Births, Deaths, and Natural Increase
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Issues Labour Force Growth
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Issues The Stark Reality

• If continued, demographic trends will contribute
  to
• - labour market shortages
• - lost economic opportunities competitive
  disadvantages
• - declining communities
• - ever-decreasing tax revenues to address
  needs of Nova Scotians

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Opportunities through Diversityfor Nova Scotia

• - increase population size, particularly in rural
  areas
• - create jobs
• - grow local communities and provincial economy
• - reverse loss of from federal system used to
  address needs of Nova Scotians
• - promote acceptance celebrate cultural
  differences

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Opportunities through Diversity for Aerospace
and Defence Industry

• sector on upswing
• industry generates more than 600 million in
  annual revenues employs approx. 6,000 people
  directly in NS
• major companies have a presence in Nova Scotia
  e.g.
• Composites Atlantic, IMP, Lockheed Martin, Pratt
  and Whitney, Xwave

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Opportunities Aerospace and Defence Industry

• address skills shortages
• seize business opportunities
• remain competitive in marketplace

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Opportunities Aerospace and Defence Industry

• increase cultural understanding of key markets
• build local customer, consumer base
• build creativity and generate ideas

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How has the Province responded?

• Immigration strategy
• Targets (3600 immigrants / 70 retention)
• 4 pillars
• Minister responsible (now Premier)
• Office of Immigration (NSOI)
• Core Business Areas
• Integration funding (1.5M)
• Labour market attachment / English
• Support for rural initiatives
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program

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How can business respond? NSNP

• Mandated through Immigration Refugee and
  Protection Act
• Under Federal Economic Class
• Greater flexibility
• Agreement between Government of Canada and the
  Province
• Allows NS to nominate potential nominees to meet
  our economic and labour market needs
• Two-step process (provincial federal)

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Three Categories

• Skilled Worker
• Permanent, full-time job offer from Nova Scotia
  employer
• Wages and working conditions appropriate to
  sector
• Economic
• Minimum 6-month employment contract (nominee
  funded)
• Valuable Canadian work experience
• Orientation to business in Nova Scotia and the
  workplace
• Networking
• Community Identified
• Long-established ties to local Nova Scotia
  community

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Basic Criteria for all Categories

• Between the ages of 18-55
• Min. Grade 12 (13 years of schooling)
• Related education and experience
• job offer
• management experience
• Sufficient language to be employable
• Demonstrated intention to settle and live in Nova
  Scotia

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Skilled-Worker Category

• Employer-Driven
• To meet labour market needs
• Most occupations qualify
• Employer of record must make a permanent,
  full-time job offer
• Standard wages and working conditions
• Legal working age
• Related education and experience
• Min. Grade 12 (13 years of schooling)
• Sufficient language to be employable
• Demonstrated intention to settle and live in NS

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The Employers Role

• Permanent, full-time job offer
• Written letter
• Formal employment contract
• Job Offer must contain
• Name and address of the employer
• Job title and position description
• Qualification required
• Start date
• Salary and Benefits
• Place where worker will actually be working

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Priorities in 2006-07

• Strengthen existing category
• Strong emphasis on skilled worker category
• CEO Forum
• De-mystify the process for employers
• Expand the nominee program
• Introduce family-business category
• Design entrepreneurial, international students
  categories
• Partnership with CIC
• On-going negotiations re processing methods
  times
• New Agreement with Nova Scotia
• Formal evaluation of the NSNP required

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Further Information

• Office of Immigration Website
• www.novascotiaimmigration.com
• General Inquiries Line
• 1-877-292-9597