Nova Scotia held two draws on October 7, inviting a grand total of 330 Express Entry candidates with skilled work experience.

In the largest of the two draws, 286 people were invited. This group had a job offer in Nova Scotia, and at least one year worth of work experience in a skilled occupation. They also needed a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 5 in English.

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The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) also invited 44 carpenters and who had at least two years of skilled trades experience, and a CLB 5 in English. Both of these draws were held under the Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities stream.

Invited candidates from both categories have until November 6 to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Here are the criteria for each draw in brief:

Draw for 286 skilled workers

In order to be invited, candidates must:

• have a job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work in Nova Scotia that lasts at least one year after your permanent resident visa is issued (full-time means working year-round and at least 30 hours a week);
• have one year of skilled work experience related to the job;
• have a Canadian high school credential or equivalent;
• prove language ability in English at Canadian Language Benchmark 5; and
• apply no later than 11:59 p.m., November 6, 2021.

Documents you must provide with your application include:

• Copies of language tests
• Proof of education
• A job offer showing your title and duties of the position related to the job offer, position’s NOC Code, annual salary, number of weekly hours, duration of job offer, work address, and whether the position is unionized. If it is, attach a letter indicating the union concurrence.

Draw for 44 carpenters

In order to be invited, candidates must:

• Have a primary occupation of carpenter (NOC 7271).
• Provide letters of reference from employers, as outlined in the application guide, to demonstrate that they have two or more years of skilled trades experience as a carpenter. (Self-employed individuals must provide documentation from third parties indicating the service provided along with payment details. Self-declared main duties or affidavits are not acceptable evidence of work experience.)
• Have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 5 or higher in English in all language abilities as demonstrated by providing your results from a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; and
• apply no later than 11:59 p.m., Nov. 6, 2021.

The province has set a target of increasing its population from 971,000 to two million people by 2060. In order to do this, Nova Scotia will need to welcome high numbers of immigrants, and support immigrant retention. A survey from 2020 suggested the main deciding factor on whether or not immigrants stay in Nova Scotia depends on the job opportunities that are available. Among immigrants who arrived between 2011 and 2018, about 74 per cent stayed in the province.