Canada to expand Alberta's Temporary Foreign Worker pilot project

Canadian immigration has announced they are expanding the Temporary Foreign Worker pilot project which allows Alberta employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers in certain in-demand occupations.

"Alberta is facing some of the most acute labour shortages in the country," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. "The expansion of this pilot project will enable more employers in Alberta to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to fill short-term skills and labour needs when Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable."

The pilot program was originally launched 1 June 2011 and allows eligible immigrants to come to Alberta to work temporarily in a specific occupation. This visa program issues them with a work permit that allows them to move freely between Alberta employers, without requiring authorization from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada.

Effective immediately, the following occupations are part of the Alberta Temporary Foreign Worker pilot program:

• Steamfitter/Pipefitter
• Welder
• Heavy duty equipment mechanic
• Ironworker
• Millwright and industrial mechanic
• Carpenter
• Estimator

"Our consultations with Alberta employers and our own labour forecasts show there is a need to expand the pilot to include these high-demand occupations," said Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education Stephen Khan. "We appreciate the cooperation and support of our federal colleagues in working with us to help employers get the workers they need sooner."

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