OINP opens for Technical Experience
The Ontario government has announced its intention to nominate Entry Express candidates with Canadian experience in the technology sector for permanent residency.
Ontario had already announced that it would create a technology worker component. It will hold targeted draws for Express Entry candidates with work experience in six technology-related occupations through its existing Human Capital Priorities Stream.
The Express Entry system is the largest source of skilled labor in Canada and manages the pool of candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates eligible for these programs have entered the Express Entry group where they are ranked according to the scores assigned in the Global Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS score of a candidate is based on factors such as age, education, qualified work experience and proficiency in English or French.
Provincial Express Entry Enrolled candidates receive 600 additional points for their CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada, or ITA.
Ontario is the most popular destination for new permanent residents of Canada, including those admitted through the Express Entry system. In 2018, 65% of new immigrants admitted through Express Entry were destined for Ontario.
To be considered for an invitation through an OINP technical draw, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile.
Tech draws will reflect employer needs
Ontario has a strong interest in technology-based prints, which are home to major technology hubs in the cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Ontario is currently facing a shortage of technology workers, as is the rest of Canada. It is estimated that Canada’s information and communications technology sector will require 220,000 skilled workers by 2021.
The NAIP uses its Human Capital Priorities component to search in the Express Entry group for candidates who meet the specified federal and provincial criteria.
The OINP draws will search the Express Entry group for eligible candidates with work experience in one of the six targeted occupations:
- Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 2173)
- Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (NOC 2174)
- Computer Engineers (NOC 2147)
- Web Designers and Developers (NOC 2175)
- Database Analysts and Data Administrators (NOC 2172)
- Computer and Information Systems Managers (NOC 0213)
NOC stands for National Occupational Classification, which determines the level and type of skill of a profession. OINP stated that the six occupations reflect current needs in Ontario and were selected following consultations with employers and other stakeholders in the province.
The Human Capital Priorities component does not require any job offers and has consistently encouraged Entry Express candidates to obtain insufficient CRS scores for an ITA at one of the federal government’s usual Entry Express draws.
PNU selected entry candidates will receive a notification of interest from UNP and will have 45 days to apply for a provincial Ontario application.
Upward appointments
Ontario receives an annual nomination allowance from the federal government’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Ontario’s allocation under the PNP has increased in each of the last six years to reach 6,900 for 2019.
Admissions of new permanent residents under the PNP are expected to continue to increase in 2020 and 2021, as will admissions in the three programs managed by the Express Entry system.
Overall, Canada could accommodate more than one million new arrivals by 2021.
“Ontario’s technology draws are an important innovation and a great opportunity for Quick Entry candidates,” said David Cohen, senior partner at Canadian law firm Campbell, Cohen, in Montreal.
“Ontario has shown its willingness to invite Entry Express candidates with lower scores through its Human Capital Priorities component, so we’ll be watching these tech draws closely to see if this continues. “
