Ontario invites 72 workers to apply for PNP

On September 22, Ontario invited 72 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held its third-ever In-Demand Skills stream draw under its new intake system. Ontario’s new Expression of Interest (EOI) system replaces the old first-come-first-served model, and means that interested candidates can register at any time for a chance to receive an invitation from Ontario. In other words, “express their interest” to apply for a provincial nomination under an Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

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In the general draw, 65 candidates were invited. Ontario also held a draw for the Regional Immigration Pilot, where they invited seven candidates. There is no EOI score requirement for this stream.

Invited candidates needed work experience in one of the following occupations, listed by sector in order of their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.

Health and agricultural occupations:

NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
NOC 8431 – general farm workers
NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers
NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers
NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

Manufacturing (outside the GTA only):

NOC 9411 – machine operators, mineral and metal processing
NOC 9416 – metalworking and forging machine operators
NOC 9417 – machining tool operators
NOC 9418 – other metal products machine operators
NOC 9421 – chemical plant machine operators
NOC 9422 – plastics processing machine operators
NOC 9437 – woodworking machine operators
NOC 9446 – industrial sewing machine operators
NOC 9461 – process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
NOC 9523 – electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
NOC 9526 – mechanical assemblers and inspectors
NOC 9536 – industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
NOC 9537 – other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors

About the In-Demand Skills Stream

This immigration program focuses more on provincial demand than occupation skill level. Many immigration programs target occupations that the government considers to be “high skilled.” Yet, Ontario still has labour shortages in occupations that are considered to be “low skilled.”

Enter the In-Demand Skills stream. Foreign workers with eligible job offers in Ontario can apply for a nomination with nine months of cumulative work experience in the province within the past three years. Seasonal work experience is not eligible to meet the work requirement. Part-time work may be eligible if the candidate completed the required number of work hours. The number of work hours has to equal either 1,200 hours of paid employment in one job over the course of 18 months. Or, for those who had more than one job, it would mean working for at least 30 hours per week for nine months totalling 1,200 hours.

There are a number of other eligibility requirements. Generally, candidates need a high school education, a language score of at least 4 in all proficiencies, and sufficient settlement funds, among other requirements.

List of in-demand occupations

NOC Code	Occupation
3413	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
4412	Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
7441	Residential and commercial installers and servicers
7511	Transport truck drivers
7521	Heavy equipment operators (except crane)
8431	General farm workers
8432	Nursery and greenhouse workers
8611	Harvesting labourers
7611	Construction trades helpers and labourers
9462	Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers

Available only to candidates outside the Greater Toronto Area

NOC Code	Occupation
9411	Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
9416	Metalworking and forging machine operators
9417	Machining tool operators
9418	Other metal products machine operators
9421	Chemical plant machine operators
9422	Plastics processing machine operators
9437	Woodworking machine operators
9446	Industrial sewing machine operators
9461	Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
9523	Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
9526	Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
9536	Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
9537	Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors

How do you get points for Ontario immigration?

Ontario ranks EOI profiles based on a number of human capital factors that the province has decided will be important in selecting immigrants with the potential to thrive. You get points for the skill level of your job offer as well as your Canadian work experience.

The OINP scoring system is different depending on which stream you apply for. Other than skill level and work experience, it also takes into account your wage, education, official language ability, and the region in which you study or work. The province also allocates 10 points at its discretion to respond to labour market needs.

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