West Kootenay Launches Targeted Occupation List Under Rural Immigration Pathway
West Kootenay, British Columbia – A major step toward addressing skilled labour shortages in rural British Columbia has been taken as the West Kootenay region officially unveils its list of designated priority sectors and occupations under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). The initiative offers a pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals who receive job offers in these in-demand fields.
What is the RCIP?
The RCIP is an employer-led federal immigration program designed to boost population and economic growth in smaller Canadian communities. West Kootenay, a scenic region in southeastern B.C., has joined the initiative to attract skilled workers who are willing to settle and work in the area.
The West Kootenay RCIP region stretches from Rock Creek in the west to Yahk in the east, and from Hughes Peak in the northwest to Duncan Lake in the northeast. Communities included in the program are Nelson, Trail, Castlegar, Nakusp, Kaslo, and others within this boundary.
To qualify, applicants must obtain a full-time, permanent job offer from a designated employer operating within an approved sector and offering a job title on the priority occupation list. Applicants must also meet other requirements related to language proficiency, education, work experience, and settlement funds.
Designated Key Sectors
Only employers operating in the following key sectors are eligible to participate in the program:
- Healthcare
- Education, Law, Social, and Community Services
- Sales and Service
- Skilled Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operation
- Manufacturing and Utilities
If a business operates across multiple industries, the job offer must relate specifically to one of these sectors to be eligible for designation under RCIP.
Approved Occupations and Language Requirements
West Kootenay RCIP has provided a detailed list of occupations currently being prioritized, along with minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirements. Here is a summary of notable roles:
| Occupation | NOC Code | CLB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Aides | 33102 | 5 | No employer cap |
| Early Childhood Educators | 42202 | 5 | No employer cap |
| Cooks | 63200 | 5 | Fast food roles excluded |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 5 | – |
| Transport Truck Drivers | 73300 | 5 | 75% of work must be within West Kootenay |
| Social & Community Workers | 42201 | 5 | – |
| Bookkeepers | 12200 | 5 | Must be in a priority sector |
| Food & Beverage Servers | 65200 | 4 | Fast food excluded |
| Cleaners | 65310 | 4 | Accepts ‘Housekeeping Room Attendant’ and ‘Light Duty Cleaner’ |
| Labourers – Manufacturing | 95109 | 4 | Specific to general labour in manufacturing |
| (Additional occupations available in the full list) |
While most job offers must match the approved occupations, the RCIP allows for a limited number of community recommendations for roles outside the list—provided the employer has previously hired for a priority occupation and the role remains in an eligible sector.
Limits on Employer Recommendations
To ensure equal access for employers, West Kootenay RCIP has introduced annual caps based on business size:
- Employers with 1 to 65 full-time workers: Up to 3 candidate recommendations per year
- Employers with 66+ full-time workers: Up to 6 recommendations annually
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Foreign nationals must meet the following requirements to be considered for recommendation:
- A full-time, permanent job offer in a priority occupation from a designated employer
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of relevant work experience in the last three years*
- Meet or exceed CLB levels in reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- Possess a recognized Canadian or equivalent foreign educational credential
- Demonstrate sufficient funds for settlement (if not already in Canada)
*Note: Graduates from recognized local institutions such as Selkirk College may be exempt from the work experience requirement.
What’s Next?
Once a candidate is recommended by the community, they can submit a permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program is expected to attract skilled workers who can help sustain and grow the rural economy in one of British Columbia’s most picturesque regions.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
