Skilled & Dedicated Workers for Long Term Success
Our North Okanagan Shuswap RNIP program helps you hire experienced tradespeople.
Whether you own a small plumbing business based in Coldstream, a commercial construction company with projects across the valley or you’re an HR professional looking to recruit electricians for a large organization, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program can help.
With one-on-one guidance from a team based in Vernon and Salmon Arm, we help employers like you hire skilled workers who want to call this region home by creating a path to permanent residency.
Why do so many employers have great RNIP experiences?
229 North Okanagan Shuswap businesses have hired workers via RNIP, some multiple times.
- Local faces in Vernon and Salmon Arm to help you
- Minimal paperwork
- Candidates are experienced and keen to be a positive contributor to your company and the community
Lean on Us to Grow Your Team
How It Works:
- Step 1. Check your -Business Eligibility- and join a -Mandatory Employer Training– session.
- Step 2. Fill out 3 simple forms, including a short Offer of Employment. If a work permit is also needed, we can point you in the right direction!
- Step 3. Post a job, receive applications and meet candidates virtually, by phone, or possibly in person if they’re already working in Canada.
- Step 4. After your candidate is approved by the Recommendation Committee, RNIP staff will issue a letter of recommendation.
- Step 5. Candidates apply for permanent residency and work permit, and once approved, you can welcome your new star team member.
Trades Success Stories
RNIP helps Vernon construction company hire three qualified workers.
Cory Petty, owner of Cory Petty Construction, had such a good experience hiring Brazilian carpenter Luiz Fernando that he’s now hired two more trades workers through RNIP.
“They work hard and prove that they deserve to be here,” says Petty. “They’ve become friends as well as coworkers.”
Learn how Petty was able to meet and hire his ideal candidates.
Trades Employers RNIP FAQ's
We can support your hire of a range of skilled trades. Right now, some specific trades are in higher demand than others, including tilers, electricians, plumbers, drywallers, HVAC, carpenters, cabinetmakers, and roofers/shinglers. High demand trades applications can take advantage of faster processing.
Feeling confident that a new hire will fit in is important. Some trades employers have been fortunate to meet potential hires who already happen to be working in Canada on work permit, or who are here visiting and realize how great it would be to live in the North Okanagan-Shuswap.
While meeting in person isn’t always possible, meeting virtually can also give you a sense of how personable and professional someone is. Our employers have shared they were surprised at how well they could pick up on someone’s personality. Remember, this is a big leap and a lot of work for the applicant too.
A 1.5 hour training session helps you make sure the program is a fit for you and ensures you have everything you need for a successful hire. Then, the paperwork is minimal – just three forms, including a template offer of employment. If a work permit is needed, we’re here to assist.
We’ve done everything we can to make this as simple as possible for you, and unlike some programs, you have access to a local support team. We look forward to getting to know you and offering guidance.
For some, the process is as short as three months. Sometimes, it can take up to six months. The most successful employers are those that are thinking ahead, long-term and get involved in the process.
The minimum education requirement is equivalent to Canadian Grade 12.
If for any reason the person you’ve hired isn’t a fit, as with any hire, you are not obligated to keep them under your employment.
We help employers learn that when someone is released from employment while a permanent residency application is being processed, it may impact the candidate’s application and their ability to stay in Canada.
Get Started
A great tradesperson is just around the corner.
Register for an upcoming Mandatory Employer Training session:
Questions about hiring for trades through RNIP? Can’t find what you’re looking for in the FAQ’s above? Reach out and we’ll be happy to help. Or bring your question to an upcoming training session.
