September 16, 2012
Premier Announces New Pre-arrival Immigration Services for Provincial Nominees
Shanghai—Premier Greg Selinger has announced a new pre-arrival strategy to better help prepare provincial nominees for labour-market integration before they arrive in Manitoba. Selinger made the announcement here today at a pre-arrival settlement orientation and labour-market preparation session for provincial nominees destined to Manitoba.
“Already a leader in attracting and integrating provincial nominees, our government has been working to help provincial nominees arriving in Manitoba succeed and build a life there,” said Selinger. “As part of this plan, Manitoba is pioneering the development of a series of pre-arrival initiatives that will assist provincial nominees to begin their employment and settlement planning prior to their arrival in Manitoba.”
As part of the initiative, provincial nominees destined for Manitoba will have access to the following pre-arrival programs and resources:
- A new settlement plan as part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program application process which will help potential nominees start planning how they will settle and find employment before they arrive in Manitoba.
- A new pre-arrival planning guide, which will empower nominees to take charge of their employment success by making an action plan for finding a job soon after arrival in their intended and alternate occupations, leveraging guided research into qualifications recognition and labour-market conditions and building on the plans made at time of application.
- Prior to arriving to Manitoba, provincial nominees will now be linked to Manitoba Start where they will be able to interact with employment councillors. Once they arrive in Manitoba, they will continue their labour-market integration process at Manitoba Start.
- Access to pre-arrival settlement orientation and labour-market preparation services in China and 25 other countries through the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP). Services include the development of a career plan based on Manitoba-specific, labour-market information and guidance on qualifications recognition procedures.
Nominees will also continue to have access to Manitoba’s successful English Online language program which provides facilitated English-language training using Manitoba specific scenarios. Students are able to interact with adult English-as-an-additional-language teachers based in Manitoba, who provide one-on-one guidance throughout the student’s training.
“Our goal is to have our nominees working in their fields as soon as possible after arriving,” said Selinger. “The more informed and prepared provincial nominees are before they arrive, the more likely they are tosucceed in finding employment quickly and to contribute immediately to Manitoba’s economy.”
CIIP is a partnership between the Province of Manitoba and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and is funded by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
Immigration from China has more than doubled since 2007; to 1,307 in 2011 from 609 in 2007. In 2011, 91 per cent of total immigrants from China arrived through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
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