Skilled Workers Stream

Skilled Workers Stream

The Northwest Territories Employer-Driven: Skilled Workers stream is a component of the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to meet the needs of local employers who are seeking to fill skilled positions that cannot be filled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Through this stream, eligible candidates can obtain a nomination from a Northwest Territories employer, which can then be used to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

To be eligible for the Skilled Workers stream, candidates, must have a valid job offer from a Northwest Territories employer in a skilled occupation that is classified as Skill Level 0, 1, 2, or 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC). They must also meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French, have the necessary qualifications and work experience for the job, and meet other eligibility criteria set by the Northwest Territories government.

The Skilled Workers stream is an excellent opportunity for foreign nationals who have the skills and experience required by local employers in the Northwest Territories. It not only offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada but also provides an opportunity to live and work in a unique and dynamic region of the country, with excellent job opportunities, high living standards, and stunning natural beauty.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Employer

Employer must:

• Be a registered business or a local, municipal, First Nation, or territorial government,
• Have a registered office or establishment in the NWT that is operational year-round, full-time basis
• Must maintain a place of business in the NWT where the Nominee Applicant will work;
• Be registered and in good standing with the NWT Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) and must submit proof of valid registration;
• Must be in good standing,

Employment

• Must be for a permanent, full-time position (minimum 30 hours per week).

Job Description

The job description must include:

• Position title;
• Language requirements of the position (only English or French will be accepted – any other language will only be considered an asset);
• Main duties of the position;
• Educational and work experience requirements of the position;
• Any occupational certification for the position (including any required certification or accreditation)

National Occupational Classification

The TEER categories applicable to the Skilled Worker/Express Entry stream are:

• TEER 0 – Management jobs;
• TEER 1 – Professional jobs (usually requiring a university degree); and
• TEER 2 and 3 – Technical jobs and skilled trades (usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship training).

Labour Market Impact Assessment

The Employer must submit a copy of a

• Positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the federal government’s Department of Employment and Social Development Canada, or
• Proof of job advertising

An Employer who employs a Nominee Applicant based on a positive LMIA must adhere to the agreement in all aspects.

Employers applying to nominate an applicant with an open work permit (under the International Mobility Program) and without submitting a positive LMIA, must submit the job advertising requirements.

Job Advertisement

• For applications without a positive LMIA, proof of local and national job advertising and a summary of advertising results are required.
• Employers must demonstrate proof of advertising efforts on two (2) different platforms: one (1) local and one (1) being national in scope.
• Advertisements must be placed for a minimum of 30 consecutive days (or 4 consecutive weeks) on each platform.
• The validity of job advertisements is twelve (12) months from the time of application submission.

Accepted advertising platforms include:

• Recognized online employment sites such as:
  • Job Bank
  • Indeed
  • Jobs North Edge
  • Workopolis
  • LinkedIn
  • Monster
• In a local Northwest Territories newspaper such as:
  • The Yellowknifer, The Hub, etc.
• Local and regional employment centres;
• Industry job boards such as:
  • Aviation industry job boards; and
  • Health care job boards.

Advertisements must clearly specify:

• The position title;
• Wage information;
• Minimum qualification/education (as per the NOC);
• Skill requirements;
• Hours per week;
• Location of work; and
• A short description of position duties

Summary of Advertising

Must include;

• A list of all applications received in response to the advertised position and
• A detailed list of reasons for refusal of employment.
• The summary must be dated and signed by the Employer

Employers must;

• Demonstrate that the Nominee Applicant applied directly to the position as advertised and
• Provide a rationale as to why they are the best-suited candidate.

Wage Rate

• The Employer must provide a comparable industry wage based on Job Bank median wage information, and
• Be equal or more than the NWT’s current minimum wage.

Pay Stubs and Time Sheets

If the applicant is already employed by the employer, must submit their pay stubs and corresponding time sheets for the past six (6) months to demonstrate that the wage has been paid accordingly.

Exceptional Circumstances (applying without a work permit)

• Skilled workers are not eligible for the nomination when living abroad or in Canada without a valid work permit.

In exceptional circumstances, the Employer must:

• Consult with NTNP officers via email before applying to the NTNP;
• Demonstrate that an advertising campaign (meeting the job advertising criteria of these guidelines) for a minimum of four (4) consecutive weeks has been undertaken;
• Clearly identify how the skilled Foreign National has a skill set, education, and work experience that cannot be found within the NWT or Canada; and
• Provide information on whether they applied for an LMIA and accessed other Labour Market Programs to support their workforce.

* NTNP officers may refuse to accept an application, and that application will not be eligible for an appeal.

2. Nominee Applicant

Personal Documentation

Originals or certified true copies with English or French translations

• Valid work permit;
• Passport (biographical page only);
• Birth certificate;
• Marriage certificate or declaration of common-law union,
• Birth certificate(s) and passport(s) for dependent(s),
• Bank statements, stamped by the financial institution, for 3 months prior to submitting an application.

Work Permits

• Applicants must have a valid work permit for the duration of the application process.
• Closed work permit – must meet the terms and conditions of the work permit.
• If the work permit expires during the application period, the applicant will not be considered for nomination.

Work Permit Support Letter

• This letter is issued to approved applicants by the NTNP, to apply for an employer-specific work permit exempt from having a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and closed to their nominating occupation.

How to Apply

Through the online portal on the official website.