Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has invited more than 2,800 candidates with work experience in the skilled trades to apply to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Express Entry Skilled Trades stream.

On August 3, targeted notifications of interest were issued to carpenters, electricians, construction workers, among other in-demand skilled trade roles.

“Our government was the first in Canada to ban unfair and discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements to help thousands of skilled newcomers work in the professions they’ve trained for,” said Minister Monte McNaughton. “We need world-class talent to build a stronger Ontario for generations to come, and we are proud to extend the opportunity to 2,844 more men and women today.”

The province estimates it will need over 100,000 more skilled trades workers this decade to build its ambitious infrastructure plans on time and on budget.

In 2022, the OINP nominated 9,750 people for permanent residence in Ontario, the highest number of nominations ever. Over 40 percent of the 2022 nominees had work experience in a skilled trade.

Earlier this year, the government announced an additional investment of $25 million to support doubling the number of skilled immigrants the province can welcome. The province and the federal government also announced a doubling of the number of economic immigrants the province selects to a historic high of 18,000 by 2025.