Due to a shortage of workers, British Columbia is targeting a labor market need in health and early childhood educator occupations with sudden and significant changes in Provincial Nominee Programs.

These changes were announced in March 2022 with a new list of targeted occupations for BC PNP. If you are wondering about this new policy, you are at the right place. This blog post aims to discuss important facts regarding Early Childhood Education and Healthcare PNP.

The Significance of the Program

The B.C PNP Skills Immigration stream supports employers in meeting their labor force requirements and complements economic plans. This plan is a key pillar of the economic plan to cope with inequality and boost the economy that works for everyone.

The policy changes prioritize the healthcare workers and Early Childhood Educators in the process of application and manifold the number of people selected in these occupations for the sake of permanent residence. The policy alteration also strengthens the already temporary working people to become permanent residents.

Healthcare assistants and workers, along with ECEs, are eligible to apply for the PNP program, and they will receive priority with higher chances of being selected under program eligibility criteria.

A early childhood educator teaching some happy children

What is an (ECE) Early Childhood Educator?

It is a job related to the teaching sector. There is a wide range of designation titles. The designation within the teaching system can vary from Preschool teachers to Early Childhood Educator (ECE) provider.

In the position, you will be responsible for providing care to make sure that their overall fitness and help develop their mental abilities, emotional, and physical growth. It is a prestigious profession, yet Canada lacks qualified applicants. Therefore, they have reinforced the program to welcome over 1.2 million immigrants by 2023.

The federal government of Canada is investing more than $500 million to recruit new teachers. However, the manpower shortage is going on. This is a great opportunity for educated and skilled teachers trying to immigrate to Canada

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Changes in Healthcare Sector

Apart from teaching, the healthcare sector also lacks qualified and determined applicants. Therefore, the spectrum has been broadened to cover healthcare workers under them. Healthcare and dental assistants have been included in the list as eligible occupations for the provinces Entry Level and Semi-skilled categories.

The province has also made it public that its Health Care Professional category will transition to a Health Authority category which is open and accessible to all health authority occupations.

At the same time, under the province’s Skilled Worker category, the requirement of two years of directly related experience has been replaced with two years of skilled occupation.

A plate of tasty Canadian Poutine

Role of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This program was specifically created to focus shortage of labor market in particular provinces. Almost all provinces and territories take part and offer all kinds of labor, including unskilled, semi-skilled, and professionally skilled workers looking to plant roots in that particular province.

Target Professions

They have issued a long list of prioritized occupations, but the most common are:

  • Managers in health care
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Physiotherapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Chiropractors
  • Social worker
  • Psychologists
  • Medical Sonographers

Final Thoughts

Canada never steps back when it comes to the betterment of the country. Under the BC PNP program, positive changes have been made for healthcare workers and early childhood educators to find jobs, better opportunities, and ultimately become permanent citizens of Canada.

If you’re thinking of immigrating to Canada, make sure to contact us if you have any questions or complete our FREE assessment form.

Nidhi Dilip Rao

Nidhi Dilip Rao

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)