Altona & Rhineland, Manitoba Open Rural PR Pathway with New List of Priority Jobs and Employers

The southern Manitoba communities of Altona and Rhineland have officially released their list of priority sectors, high-demand occupations, and designated employers under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This marks a significant step in helping local employers fill labour shortages while offering eligible foreign workers a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency (PR).

The RCIP is a community-driven and employer-focused immigration stream. To qualify, foreign nationals must secure a community-endorsed job offer from an approved local employer. The job must also fall within one of the specified priority occupations listed by the community.

This announcement follows similar releases from other rural communities across Canada participating in the RCIP, as the federal government continues to support regional economic development by attracting and retaining skilled talent outside major urban centres.

Priority Sectors Identified in Altona and Rhineland

The communities have identified five major sectors facing labour shortages:

• Education, Law, and Social, Community and Government Services
• Sales and Services
• Trades and Transport
• Natural Resources and Agriculture
• Manufacturing and Utilities

These sectors form the basis for approving employers and job types eligible for the RCIP.

Approved High-Demand Occupations

A total of over 25 occupations have been identified, including key roles such as:

• Binding and Finishing Machine Operators (NOC 94152)
• Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202)
• Cooks and Food Counter Attendants (NOC 63200, 65201)
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial Institutions (NOC 64400)
• Welders and Related Machine Operators (NOC 72106)
• Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics (NOC 72400)
• Supervisors in Food and Beverage Processing (NOC 92012)
• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401)
• Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020)
• Labourers in Food and Beverage Processing (NOC 95106)
• Manufacturing Managers (NOC 90010)

These roles span multiple industries and offer viable routes for skilled workers aiming to immigrate to Canada through a rural-based program.

Designated Employers

The list of designated employers includes businesses that are already approved to offer RCIP-eligible job opportunities. This list will be updated regularly as more companies receive designation.

Current designated employers include:

• Elmer’s Welding & Manufacturing Ltd.
• Greenvalley Equipment (2009) Inc.
• Buffalo Creek Mills (2017) Inc.
• Kiddie Sunshine Centre Inc.
• Subway, Altona
• Pioneer Meats Ltd.
• ETG Commodities Inc.
• Access Credit Union Ltd.
• Friesens Corporation
• Altona Hotel

Only employers operating in the community’s priority sectors are eligible to receive designation. They can then submit job openings to the local economic development organization for endorsement.

How RCIP Works

To participate in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot:

1. A foreign worker must obtain a job offer from a designated employer.
2. The job must match one of the priority occupations listed by the community.
3. Once the offer is endorsed by the community, the applicant can apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
4. Successful applicants can move to the community to begin work and settle permanently.

This program is a unique opportunity for skilled workers who may not qualify under traditional Express Entry or PNP systems but possess the right experience and are open to relocating to smaller communities.

Final Thoughts

The Altona/Rhineland RCIP initiative is a win-win approach: employers address persistent labour shortages, while foreign nationals receive an accelerated and community-backed path to permanent residency in Canada.

With 14 communities participating across the country, and more openings expected in the coming months, candidates should review eligibility requirements and prepare their applications early.

Interested in applying? Get your file reviewed and prepared today to be ready for the next round of job offers and endorsements.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!