Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category applies to qualifying foreign workers in select occupations and eligible employers in the tourism/hospitality, food processing and long-haul trucking industries. In order to apply under this category nominee applicants must have worked for their employer in BC full-time in an eligible occupation for a period of at least nine consecutive months immediately prior to the date their BC PNP application was submitted. Nominee applicants must also maintain continuous full-time employment with the BC employer throughout the application process. Work experience that forms an integral part of a program of study (co-op) or is obtained using an Off-Campus Work Permit does not qualify toward this nine month work experience requirement.

The tourism/hospitality, food processing and long-haul trucking industries were selected for this category as they play a key role in BC’s export-oriented economy, and are experiencing acute and persistent labour shortages. Through their respective provincial industry organizations, these industries have implemented human resource development strategies to hire, train and retain domestic workers, and have demonstrated that they will be unable to fully meet their on-going workforce requirements without the opportunity to retain foreign workers through permanent immigration.