Saskatchewan has launched a new Tech Talent Pathway under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for tech workers pursuing Canadian immigration.
The new pathway under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is designed to attract tech talents to aid critical labour shortages in Saskatchewan’s tech sector.
The Tech Talent Pathway will offer tech workers permanent residency in Canada, support Saskatchewan’s growth and increase the province’s global competitiveness.
Jeremy Harrison, Immigration and Career Training Minister of Saskatchewan, said the new Tech Talent Pathway would allow local employers with a dedicated stream to attract and employ highly skilled talents into the province’s thriving technology sector.
He also hailed Saskatchewan’s tech sector as an important driver of economic growth following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new pathway will facilitate and expedite the Canadian immigration process for tech workers already working in Saskatchewan, and those outside the country.
SaskTech President Dr Aaron Genest underlined the importance of tech workers by labelling them as “critical anchors of specialised skills” in Saskatchewan’s workforce and communities.
He also said Saskatchewan’s economy relies on the province’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled immigrants.
Dr Genest further explained that the Tech Talent Pathway under the SINP is unique in Canada and offers a competitive advantage to Saskatchewan’s tech industry.
The new pathway streamlines the immigration process and acknowledges Saskatchewan’s need for tech immigrants to stay in the province and create innovative solutions to export to the rest of the world.
Eligible occupations for Canadian immigration with the Tech Talent Pathway under the SINP include:
- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213);
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC 2133);
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147);
- Information System analysts and consultants (NOC 2171);
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172);
- Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173);
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174);
- Web designers and developers (NOC 2175);
- Computer network technicians (NOC 2281);
- User support technicians (NOC 2282);
- Information system testing technicians (NOC 2283).
Eligibility requirements for the Tech Talent Pathway for Canadian immigration include:
- An employer-specific SINP Job Approval Letter for an eligible tech occupation;
- A minimum language level of CLB level 5 if the applicant is not working in Saskatchewan when applying or CLB level 7 if the candidate is applying for Express Entry;
- At least one year of work experience in the eligible occupation in the past five years; or
- At least six months of work experience if the applicant is already working in Saskatchewan;
- Post-secondary education; and
- Being eligible for Saskatchewan professional licensing.
