Steinbach Announces Priority Sectors and Occupations for New Rural Pathway to Permanent Residence

In a significant development for Manitoba’s immigration landscape, Steinbach has unveiled its list of priority sectors and occupations eligible for the newly introduced Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This initiative aims to address labor shortages in rural communities by attracting skilled foreign workers to settle and contribute to the local economy.

Understanding the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

The RCIP is an employer-driven pathway to permanent residence (PR), designed to meet the specific labor needs of designated rural communities across Canada. To qualify, foreign nationals must secure a job offer from a designated employer within the community and fulfill additional eligibility criteria.

Steinbach, recognized as Manitoba’s third-largest city, is among the communities participating in this pilot. The designated area encompasses the city itself and surrounding municipalities, including Ste. Anne, Piney, La Broquerie, Landmark, and Vita.

Priority Sectors in Steinbach

Each participating community in the RCIP has identified five priority sectors to focus on. Steinbach’s selected sectors are:

1. Health
2. Education, Law, and Social, Community, and Government Services
3. Sales and Service
4. Trades and Transport
5. Manufacturing and Utilities

These sectors reflect the local economic landscape and the areas where skilled labor is most in demand.

In-Demand Occupations

Within these priority sectors, specific occupations have been identified as critical to Steinbach’s growth. Foreign nationals with experience or qualifications in the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes may be eligible for the RCIP:

• Health Sector:
  • General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
  • Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)
  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
  • Pharmacy technicians (NOC 32124)
  • Massage therapists (NOC 32201)
  • Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 32104)CIC News+1CIC News+1
• Education, Law, and Social, Community, and Government Services:
  • Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
  • Lawyers and Quebec notaries (NOC 41101)
  • Insurance agents and brokers (NOC 63100)
  • Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations (NOC 11202)
• Sales and Service:
  • Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
• Trades and Transport:
  • Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)
  • Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401)
  • Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)
  • Construction estimators (NOC 22303)
  • Construction managers (NOC 70010)
  • Electrical mechanics (NOC 72422)
  • Drafting technologists and technicians (NOC 22212)
• Manufacturing and Utilities:
  • Industrial and manufacturing engineers (NOC 21321)
  • Business systems specialists (NOC 21221)
  • Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)

Also Read: May 2025: State of the Express Entry Pool

This targeted approach ensures that the labor force aligns with the specific needs of the community, fostering sustainable economic development.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

To participate in the RCIP, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Job Offer: Obtain a permanent, full-time job offer from a designated employer within the community.
• Work Experience: Demonstrate relevant work experience in the occupation related to the job offer.
• Language Proficiency: Achieve the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, which varies depending on the occupation’s TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) category.
• Education: Hold a minimum of a secondary school diploma or an equivalent credential.
• Proof of Funds: Show evidence of sufficient funds to support oneself and accompanying family members upon arrival in Canada.
• Intent to Reside: Express a genuine intention to live and work in the designated community.
• Certificate of Recommendation: Obtain a certificate of recommendation from the Steinbach Economic Development (SED) office.en_US+2CIC News+2CIC News+2en_US+1CIC News+1en_US+2CIC News+2CIC News+2

These criteria ensure that applicants are well-prepared to integrate into the community and contribute positively to its growth.

Application Process and Timelines

The application process for the RCIP involves several steps:

1. Employer Designation: Employers in Steinbach must apply to become designated employers through the SED.
2. Job Offer: Once designated, employers can extend job offers to foreign nationals.
3. Certificate of Recommendation: Applicants must apply for and receive a certificate of recommendation from the SED.
4. Permanent Residence Application: With the certificate, applicants can submit a permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The SED operates on a first-come, first-served basis, issuing up to five recommendations per intake period. Each intake period opens on the first of every month and closes on the 15th or when seven applications have been received, whichever comes first. Notably, only one recommendation per NOC code is issued each month, with a maximum of two recommendations per calendar year for each NOC code. However, certain NOC codes, such as 31102 (General practitioners and family physicians), 31301 (Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses),