Alberta Creates New Expedited Immigration Program for Tech Workers
It was announced by Alberta’s immigration minister, Tyler Shandro, that the province is introducing a new fast-track immigration made for tech workers. Last December, the province has started accepting applications for this new program. A profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system is needed for a tech professional candidate to be eligible in this program. In addition to this, they must also be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
According to the Alberta Enterprise Corporation, there are more than 3,000 technology companies that are based in Alberta. In Accordance with the 2021 Alberta Technology DEAL Flow Study, since 2012, the province’s tech sector has grown 233%. Despite this fact, tech companies in Alberta still deal with challenges with regards to accessing workers, most especially sales and technical talent.
As mentioned, candidates must have a profile in Alberta’s Express Entry pool, and in addition to this, they must be eligible to either one of the following immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skill Trade Program. An online form for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is also needed by the candidate to be able to qualify for the Accelerated Tech Pathway. Through this form, the candidate will be able to send the information about the candidate’s profile in the Express Entry system as well as the tech job in Alberta.
To be eligible for the tech pathway, the Express Entry candidate needs to either have a job offer or must be currently working in an eligible occupation for a company in Alberta. Below is the list of the 23 eligible occupations along with its National Occupational Classification (NOC) code:
- 2175 Web designers and developers
- 2221 Biological technologists and technicians
- 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 0013 Senior managers – financial, communications, and other business services
- 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries
- 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
- 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
- 2173 Software engineers and designers
- 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- 0112 Human resources managers
- 0131 Telecommunication carriers manager
- 0211 Engineering managers
- 0212 Architecture and science managers
- 0213 Computer and information systems managers
- 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting, and performing arts
- 0601 Corporate sales managers
- 1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations
- 1121 Human resources professionals
- 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
- 2131 Civil engineers
- 2132 Mechanical engineers
- 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
