New Talent Pathways in Saskatchewan: Agriculture and Healthcare Industries
The Government of Saskatchewan announced two new talent pathways under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to address workforce needs in agriculture and healthcare, effective August 30, 2024. Designed to attract international skilled workers, these pathways are aimed at filling critical labor gaps in these essential industries.
Agriculture Talent Pathway: Agriculture is vital to Saskatchewan’s economy, contributing significantly to global food security. This pathway will streamline immigration processes for skilled agricultural workers, enabling producers to meet rising demands for food and technological innovations. Agriculture Minister David Marit highlighted that a “skilled and flexible agricultural workforce” is essential for competitiveness and growth.
Health Talent Pathway: This pathway consolidates healthcare recruitment under the SINP, aligning with Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources action plan. By simplifying immigration and credential recognition for internationally trained healthcare professionals, the government aims to enhance healthcare access across the province. Health Minister Everett Hindley emphasized that these steps will help Saskatchewan recruit and retain essential healthcare workers, ultimately strengthening the healthcare system.
By aligning the SINP with industry needs, these new pathways will support economic growth, address labor shortages, and ensure Saskatchewan remains competitive and well-staffed in two of its most crucial sectors.
Health Talent Pathway
The new Health Talent Pathway aims to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the province. This pathway offers opportunities for individuals to secure permanent, full-time employment in Saskatchewan’s healthcare sector. There are two streams within this pathway: Non-Express Entry and Express Entry, each with specific eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Non-Express Entry Stream
Candidates may qualify for the Non-Express Entry stream if they live outside of Canada or have proof of legal status in Canada (refugee claimants are not eligible). Key requirements include:
- Language Proficiency: A minimum English and/or French language score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5.
- Work Experience:
- If currently working in Saskatchewan: At least six months (780 hours) of full-time work (30+ hours per week) with the employer who issued the Job Approval Letter.
- If not working for the Saskatchewan employer full-time: One year of work experience in your occupation within the last five years is required.
- Licensing: Candidates must be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing if required for their occupation.
- Education: Post-secondary education relevant to the job offer (e.g., Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, a three-year university degree, or a two-year diploma).
- Intent to Reside: Candidates must attest to their intent to live and work in Saskatchewan.
- Job Offer: A valid, permanent, full-time healthcare sector job offer in Saskatchewan, supported by a SINP Job Approval Letter, is required.
The following high and intermediate-skilled health occupations are eligible under this stream:
NOC | DESCRIPTION |
30010 | Managers in health care |
31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
31101 | Specialists in surgery |
31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
31103 | Veterinarians |
31110 | Dentists |
31111 | Optometrists |
31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
31120 | Pharmacists |
31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
31200 | Psychologists |
31201 | Chiropractors |
31202 | Physiotherapists |
31203 | Occupational therapists |
31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
31302 | Nurse practitioners |
31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
32100 | Opticians |
32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
32102 | Paramedical occupations |
32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
32110 | Denturists |
32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
32122 | Medical sonographers |
32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists n.e.c |
32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
32201 | Massage therapists |
32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
Eligibility Criteria for Express Entry Stream
The Express Entry stream provides priority processing with permanent residency applications expected to be processed in six months or less. Key requirements are:
- Express Entry Profile: A valid Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Code.
- Language Proficiency: CLB 7 or higher in English and/or French.
- Work Experience: At least one year of high-skilled work experience in the candidate’s intended occupation within the past five years.
- Licensing: If required, the candidate must be eligible for Saskatchewan licensing.
- Education: Relevant post-secondary education (e.g., a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, three-year degree, or two-year diploma).
- Intent to Reside: Must attest to an intention to live and work in Saskatchewan.
- Job Offer: A valid job offer for a permanent, full-time healthcare sector job, with a SINP Job Approval Letter.
The following high and intermediate-skilled health occupations are eligible under this stream:
NOC | DESCRIPTION |
30010 | Managers in health care |
31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
31101 | Specialists in surgery |
31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
31103 | Veterinarians |
31110 | Dentists |
31111 | Optometrists |
31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
31120 | Pharmacists |
31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
31200 | Psychologists |
31201 | Chiropractors |
31202 | Physiotherapists |
31203 | Occupational therapists |
31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
31302 | Nurse practitioners |
31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
32100 | Opticians |
32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
32102 | Paramedical occupations |
32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
32110 | Denturists |
32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
32122 | Medical sonographers |
32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists n.e.c |
32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
32201 | Massage therapists |
32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
How to Apply
To apply, you need a job offer. To start your search, please visit Saskjobs.ca. Your employer will need to provide you with a Job Approval Letter from the SINP. Additionally, please ensure that you:
- Follow the guidelines for the Application Process.
- Complete, scan and submit all of your Required Documents.
Applications that are submitted with missing documents or not translated will be returned. If your application is returned, you will be sent a letter and asked to reapply.
- Create an account.
- Complete all sections.
- Scan and upload your completed forms and supporting documents in a PDF. Keep the originals for your records.
- Save and submit your application online.
Required Documents
You must provide all forms and documents to prove you are eligible for SINP nomination at the time that you submit your application. You will also need these documents to prove:
- Your identity.
- Work experience.
- Academic credentials.
- Language ability.
The SINP may also ask for more documents that are not listed.
General Guidelines
All documents must be easy-to-read copies of the original documents. If it is not in English or French, you must submit:
- A copy of the original document.
- A copy of the English or French translation of the document.
- A copy of an affidavit from the translator, describing their translation ability.
For the full details of required documents and guide Documents required for application
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