Temporary foreign workers can now nominate themselves for permanent residency under an expanded Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program ^[1] (AINP).

Foreign workers in Alberta now have a new option to stay in Alberta permanently. The Alberta Work Experience Category ^[2] of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program lets eligible foreign workers apply to nominate themselves for permanent residency. They need to have worked in a key in-demand occupation ^[3] for two or more years and meet other program and federal government requirements. More than 100 occupations are eligible.

“We have many skilled foreign workers already here working and contributing to our communities and our province,” says Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk. “The Alberta Work Experience Category will have a positive effect on the lives of those foreign workers who will now be able to stay permanently.”

In Alberta, the unemployment rate has been consistently under five per cent for the last year and we have a projected labour gap of 114,000 workers by 2021. Through the Alberta Work Experience Category, the Alberta Government is assisting temporary foreign workers with the skills needed in Alberta to stay permanently and keep our economy growing. The new category is taking applications until November 28, 2013.

“Every day, I see the skill and dedication each of these foreign workers bring to their job,” say Ben Sawatzky, CEO, Spruceland Millworks Inc. “As an immigrant myself, I’m glad to see the Alberta Government has created this opportunity. It gives hope to the dreams of my staff and their loved ones back home.”

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

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Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk discusses the new Alberta Work Experience Category of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program with temporary foreign workers from Spruceland Millworks Inc. as they fill out application forms for the new category. (L-R) Manuel Robles, Rodgie Madrid, Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, and Senando Atienza.

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Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk announces new Alberta Work Experience Category of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, Thursday June 20, at Spruceland Millworks Inc. in Parkland County. The new category allows temporary foreign workers to apply to nominate themselves for permanent residency.

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(L-R) Matt Jeneroux, MLA for Edmonton-South West; Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie; Sohail Quadri, MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods joined Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, Finance Minister Doug Horner, and Brady Whittaker, president and CEO of the Alberta Forest Products Association at AINP announcement of new Alberta Work Experience Category that allows temporary foreign workers to apply to nominate themselves for permanent residency.