In a strategic move to address critical labor shortages and boost economic growth, Saskatchewan has launched new targeted immigration pathways specifically designed for the agriculture and healthcare sectors: Agriculture Talent Pathway & Health Talent Pathway. These initiatives aim to attract skilled professionals and address the pressing needs of these vital industries, ensuring the province’s continued prosperity and development.
Why Focusing on Agriculture and Healthcare?
By introducing these targeted immigration pathways, Saskatchewan seeks to:
Address Labor Shortages: Both sectors have long faced challenges in finding qualified professionals. The new pathways aim to fill these gaps with skilled workers who can contribute immediately to these critical fields.
Support Economic Growth: By ensuring that key industries have the necessary workforce, Saskatchewan can continue to grow its economy and remain competitive on a national and global scale.
Enhance Quality of Life: Attracting skilled professionals to these sectors will improve the quality of services available to residents, from better healthcare services to enhanced agricultural productivity.
Details of the New Immigration Pathways
The Agriculture Talent Pathway is designed for foreign workers with experience in farming and related occupations. Applicants must have at least one year of full-time work experience within the past 3 years or 6 months of continuous employment with a Saskatchewan-based employer who has issued a job approval letter.
To be qualified, candidates must meet basic educational requirements and score at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
The Health Talent Pathway is focused on healthcare professionals. Applicants must demonstrate 6 months of full-time work experience (780 hours) with a Saskatchewan employer offering a job approval letter. They must also meet the minimum language requirement of CLB 5 in English or French.
Both pathways are open to candidates who live outside Canada or those with legal status in the country, though refugee claimants are not eligible.
The Health Talent Pathway also offers the potential for Express Entry applicants to qualify for permanent residency under the the non-Express Entry sub-category.
These 2 new immigration pathways: The Agriculture Talent Pathway and The Health Talent Pathway represent a proactive approach to addressing critical labor shortages and supporting economic growth. By focusing on these essential industries, Saskatchewan is taking significant steps to ensure its continued prosperity and enhance the quality of life for its residents.