Since the official launch of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Program in March of 2017, all eyes have been on the four Atlantic Provinces. Candidates from all across the globe are looking to explore the Atlantic Provinces through this innovative and aspirational new pathway.
The AIP has priority processing at the federal level with 2,000 more allocations for the four Atlantic Provinces. For Nova Scotia, that is almost 800 Principal Applicants (PA) plus their families in addition to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
You might wonder, why?
Atlantic Canada – including Nova Scotia – has negative natural growth, which means there are typically more deaths than births. The Atlantic region is the only jurisdiction in Canada to have this unfortunate distinction. Due to population aging trends, there will be a wave of retiring baby boomers in the next several years which will result in a sharp decline in the region’s labour supply. As such, employers are now facing labour shortages or anticipating shortages in the near future. That is why the federal government, in collaboration with the four Atlantic Provinces, created an action plan called the Atlantic Growth Strategy, under which the AIP falls (Skilled Workforce and Immigration).
So how does it work? If you watch the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) videos or read a little about it, you will find out that Nova Scotia employers need to become approved by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) before they can hire under the AIP. These approved employers are called “Designated Employers” and if you are wondering where to find that list of designated employers – you are not alone. Unfortunately, that list is not made public. Some employers are comfortable with publicizing their designation while others don’t and want it to remain that way.
So without further introduction, we have compiled for you 5 tips to increase your chances of finding a designated employer and moving to “Canada’s Ocean Playground”. Yes, we have that on our car plates in Nova Scotia:
1. Research the labour market and find out exactly where your skills are needed in Nova Scotia.
One of the benefits of the pilot, is that employers enjoy “Flexibility to focus on labour needs in each region (highly skilled, intermediate skilled and international graduates)”. To research the labour market, go to the most common job boards, look into Nova Scotia, and filter jobs that have been posted for 4 weeks or more (recurring postings). That means the employer is unable to fill that position and is more likely to take part in the AIP.
2. Add a paragraph in your cover letter referring the employer to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) if they are interested in your employment.
Have something in your resume about the AIP and how it can work for you as well as the potential benefits for the employer. This will serve as evidence to the employer that you know what you are doing and that you are not just someone from across the globe shooting in the dark. For example: “If you deem my qualifications and experience suitable for your position, please note that you may be eligible to hire me under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Program. If you are facing labour shortages and having difficulties attracting or retaining talent, please consider the AIP and contact Nova Scotia Office of Immigration for support.” Leave a link for NSOI’s AIP page http://novascotiaimmigration.com/help-for-employers/atlantic-immigration-pilot/.
3. Apply for jobs in your field and make sure you meet the minimum eligibility criteria.
One eligibility criteria for the AIP is that the successful candidate must have at least 1 year of relevant paid work experience from the past 3 years. Demonstrate to the employer that you know about the eligibility criteria for the AIP. Do you meet the minimum High School requirement? Find out more about an Educational Credential Assessment. Do you meet the Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or 4? Have you taken an official language test? Knowing those details gives an employer confidence in you as a candidate. An employer will be taking a leap of faith hiring someone they have never met, so prove you are worth it and do your homework.
4. Research the geographic areas that you are applying to, and prove to the employer you know what (and where) you are getting yourself into.
Nova Scotia is full of natural wonder and beauty, and there is a unique culture and lifestyle in its regions – more open spaces with room to live, grow and work. These regions tend to be family oriented as well, so make sure you do your homework on where you’re going and write the employer a little paragraph in your cover letter on why you would like to live in their community. Employers generally try not to hire someone who will leave them soon after, so this is an important consideration for you as a candidate and for the employer when it’s time to make a decision in employment.
5. Be committed, and remain committed.
If you are serious about immigrating and you have the skills the area needs, it’ll happen.
Nova Scotia is big and has a lot of potential and opportunity. Canada is actively seeking immigrants to make an economic impact, and you are one of them. Finding a job is really a job in itself, so finding a job in a foreign country with an employer in a culture you may have never been immersed into isn’t going to be easy. The time commitment to these job searches can be quiet daunting and you might want to give up after a few applications but fortune favours the bold. If you do your research, know which employers are looking for your skills, get your educational credential assessment done, take your official language test, refine and perfect your application; who knows, we may see you soon in Atlantic Canada.
PS: It also might be a good idea to include a portfolio with your application.
Most people born and raised in Canada would claim the toque, maple syrup and of course ice hockey to be ‘truly Canadian’. In light of the recent tragedy in Humboldt at least one of these things united our country and validated it’s own importance to Canada.
Ice hockey has been played in community rinks across this country since 1875 and many Canadians place an almost religious value on the game. My name is Rob Martin and I have the unique opportunity as a YREACH Immigrant Settlement Worker to welcome and assist newcomer families who choose Cape Breton and Canada as their new home. Part of my role is to teach people about Canadian culture and to support their journey toward official Canadian status. I certainly can’t promote our culture without referencing our beloved game. Over the years I’ve watched people from 32 different countries embrace ice hockey in some way, shape or form.
On April 6, 2018, tragedy struck in Saskatchewan, when a catastrophic bus accident claimed the lives of 16 people and injured another 13. The bus was carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos ice hockey team as well as coaches and others associated with the team. Our nation immediately banded together and supported one another to grieve this horrific loss. Hockey communities in particular stepped up and initiated ‘Jersey Day’ for Humboldt across Canada on April 12.
It was a wonderful display of unity and a great teaching/learning opportunity within our YREACH program. Our EAL Teacher (Susan Burchell) used her April 12 language class to openly discuss the significance of ice hockey and Jersey Day with some of our immigrant adult language students. I brought multiple hockey jerseys to work and offered them to our friends who hail from Syria and Algeria. The gentlemen were elated to pull on the sweaters and they walked proudly throughout the hallways of our building…one carrying a hockey stick that I freshly taped green that morning for Humboldt. These newcomers like so many others, love Cape Breton, Nova Scotia & Canada. Dawning these jerseys helped them feel connected to our country and the pure, innocent smiles that they displayed reflected this.
CBC TV caught wind of our little Jersey Day celebration and offered to feature the gents on the news! The reporter asked Ahmad Hammadi, “How do you feel about the tragedy in Humboldt and what does Jersey Day mean to you?” Ahmad responded, “It is a terrible tragedy and we are very sad because those people are our family”. Ahmad is just learning the English language and his response was not planned or rehearsed. It was spoken from the heart. Canada’s foundation is built on heart so Ahmad, his friends, family and many other newcomers are already innately Canadian.
(Picture L-R: Fadi Hanna-Syria, Ahmad Hammadi-Syria, Rob Martin & Ammar Khettou-Algeria)
Rob Martin
902-217-0565
Originally posted by Chris Shannon of the Cape Breton Post.
SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership is launching a series of 13 meetings across the island to get a better understanding of what makes a “welcoming and inclusive” community.
The sessions begin on Saturday in North Sydney and Sydney Mines, and will continue over the next two months.
The local immigration partnership is nearly one year into its mandate — a federal initiative funded through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to address the growing need for community planning in the areas of immigrant attraction and retention.
Click here to read the original post.
(SYDNEY, NS) – The Cape Breton Partnership announced today that Carla Arsenault is the successful candidate in a recent competition to fill the organization’s role of President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Carla begins her new role as President & CEO immediately and will be responsible for implementing the organization’s strategic action plan to ensure efficient, accurate, and transparent financial and operational management.
“The Board is pleased to welcome Carla Arsenault to the position of President & CEO. Her experience working with the organization as the Chief Operating Officer will play a key role as the organization transitions to new leadership. The President & CEO is a pivotal position in a multifaceted organization that works to with private sector to identify and create new opportunities in Cape Breton,” said Alex Paul, Chair of the Cape Breton Partnership Board of Directors. “Carla is a demonstratively talented and capable professional with valuable experience gained in the public and private sector. She has a strong background in management and operations that will contribute noticeably to on-going and new efforts being put forward by the Partnership to shape a more vibrant and enterprising economic climate for Cape Breton. Carla will enhance the work of the Partnership team and support our Investors by strengthening the region’s capacity for growth.”
Carla has earned a Bachelor of Public Relations with a Certificate in Marketing, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), specializing in Management Consulting. She has spent the 15 years in the global corporate sector with Hewlett Packard developing solutions to operational barriers and challenges. Over the past year Carla has worked as the Partnership’s Chief Operating Officer ensuring the organization’s objectives aligned with the strategic vision set forward by the Board of Directors. Carla has also lead the implementation of several key projects and managed the core activities for the Cape Breton Partnership and Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network.
“Growing up in Richmond County, and spending my professional career in the CBRM provides me with an island-wide perspective that will represent the Partnership’s mandate well. I am pleased to continue to work alongside our dynamic team of colleagues, the Board of Directors, and Investors to advance our region’s economic prosperity and build our collaborative and progressive network of leaders, entrepreneurs, and private sector business owners,” said Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Priority projects for the Partnership include the delivery of the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network activities, and management of the Prosperity Framework, Immigration Projects, Elevate magazine, Innovation initiatives, the Safety First in Cape Breton Network, and NextGen Cape Breton. I look forward to doing my part in leading this organization to make Cape Breton a stronger and more efficient place to do business.”
The Cape Breton Partnership is dedicated to developing a united approach to addressing economic issues and growth opportunities within the region, while also encouraging the retention and expansion of existing companies by identifying barriers and ways to remove them.
Media Contact:
Carla Arsenault
President & CEO, Cape Breton Partnership
902-562-0122 (w) 902-577-2455 (c)
carla@capebretonpartnership.com
When is a newcomer no longer new? Is there a time limit? Maybe there’s a milestone they reach? And what does a newcomer become when this happens? Omar Tag El-Din did not have the answers to these questions in 2012.
Omar landed in Montreal as an immigrant from Egypt with his dog, Gonzales, in June of 2012. When Omar arrived he had the ultimate goal of finishing his BBA at Cape Breton University where he completed his studies two years later. He wanted to make his Human Resources experience from Egypt more relevant in Canada, so he pursued an Advanced Diploma in HR Management from NSCC Marconi Campus and knocked it out of the park with Honours in 2015.
Although Omar initially intended to leave after receiving his education and pursue a career in a larger city, something happened to change that course. After years living in Cape Breton, he had adjusted to the lifestyle in his new home and realized nowhere else felt right.
Imagine moving from the immensely populated city of Cairo with a population of approximately 30 to 40 million residents, to the Sydney community of 30 thousand people, where you rarely get into a traffic jam. This is quite a transition if you have ever been on a road in a Middle Eastern country.
Soon after completing his Advanced Diploma, an HR opportunity in Halifax presented itself. Omar took that leap, and in the same year attained Canadian Citizenship. But he always wondered, at this time in his life, if he’d finally reached something more than “newcomer” status, or if this was just the real beginning to it. He still had no answer to those questions. After successfully completing his contract in 2016 and getting promoted to a Special Projects Coordinator position, Omar found himself with a new employer.
The following year was another defining moment, when Omar became the successful candidate for the Cape Breton Partnership to lead the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Program in Cape Breton. His background in recruitment, development, and projects management in addition to being an immigrant himself are considered to be tools that would allow him to be an ideal recruit for his role at the Partnership.
Ironically, or maybe due to accidental kismet, Omar celebrated one year since attaining his citizenship while he was overseeing a presentation on the AIP’s international graduate stream to Cape Breton University’s international students centre. Omar now champions immigration, diversity, and inclusion while supporting employers facing labour shortages through the AIP and promoting the economical benefits of Immigration. Both he and Gonzales await a deeply missed Cape Breton summer, something they are looking forward to since they came back.
From an Immigrant, to a Canadian, to an Immigration Champion right here in Cape Breton. It’s not clear when exactly it happened, maybe slowly over time or maybe at a specific moment, but at some point during his journey to this moment Omar has done it: He’s gone from “newcomer” to “seasoned Cape Bretoner”.