Skip to main content

Skip to navigation

The access keys for this page are:

Your B.C. Government

Skilled Workers and Professionals

Your B.C. Government is making significant investments in training, attracting and retaining skilled workers to meet the growing labour demand in B.C. and keep the provincial economy strong.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Skilled Workers and Professionals:

  • Introduced the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program in 2001 to attract skilled workers to the province.
  • Expanded the program in 2002 allowing business immigrants seeking to invest and start businesses in B.C. to apply to the Provincial Nominee Program.
  • Administered the expansion of the program to help 14,500 skilled and business immigrants obtain expedited permanent residence between 2009 and 2012.
  • Announced a pilot project to make the Provincial Nominee Program available for entry-level and semi-skilled immigrants in the tourism and hospitality, long-haul trucking and food processing sectors to address acute labour shortages.
  • Since March 2001, attracted 7,670 skilled and business immigrants to the province through the Provincial Nominee Program. Last fiscal year alone, we attracted 2,629 skilled workers and entrepreneurs – more than 6,200 new immigrants, including family members.
  • Created the Skills Connect for Immigrants Program in July 2006, to provide skilled immigrants with services to help them navigate a complex labour market, gain experience in the Canadian workplace and enhance their skills as necessary. The program helps skilled immigrants find employment in communities throughout B.C. in sectors where skills shortages exist or are projected. 
  • Created the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement so that doctors, teachers, plumbers and other skilled workers in occupations regulated in B.C. and Alberta can freely practise their trades in either province without added regulatory requirements like exams or training.
  • Dramatically cut personal income taxes to attract and retain skilled workers; we now have the lowest personal income tax in Canada for people earning up to $116,000.
  • Eliminated mandatory retirement on Jan. 1, 2008, to increase the supply of skilled workers and give people 65 and older, choices.

For more information:
Provincial Nominee Program
WelcomeBC skilled workers