Manitoba holds the first skilled worker draw, i.e., the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has held its first draw of the month. In this round, the province invited skilled workers who are residing in Canada and those living abroad.

The invitations were issued under two main pathways: Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas. Applicants were selected based on their participation in Manitoba’s current strategic recruitment initiatives.

Draw Results

On February 12, the MPNP issued over 29 LAAs to applicants through both its skilled worker pathways. LAAs issued varied based on the specific strategic initiative under which candidates were invited:

Strategic Recruitment Initiative Number Of Invitations Issued 
Employer Services 8 
Francophone Community 14 
Regional Communities 3 
Ethnocultural Communities 1 
Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates (TPP) 3 

Of the 29 LAAs issued, six were given to applicants who had declared valid Express Entry profiles.

Understanding Strategic Recruitment Initiatives

Strategic recruitment initiatives are special programs used by Manitoba to help local employers hire workers. These programs are created to fill labour shortages in the province.

Employers must show that they have an urgent and ongoing need for certain skilled workers. They must also show that they cannot find suitable workers within Manitoba’s local labour market. When this happens, the MPNP may invite foreign workers through targeted recruitment efforts.

How Can Candidates Take Part?

Manitoba often selects applicants after they take part in an exploratory visit or a recruitment mission. An exploratory visit allows potential applicants to travel to Manitoba and learn about living and working there. Moreover, recruitment missions are organized events where Manitoba officials meet and interview skilled workers.

Details about upcoming visits and missions are usually shared on the official MPNP website.

In most cases, applicants receive an invitation after completing an interview with an immigration officer. This interview may take place during an exploratory visit or at a recruitment mission abroad.

To be eligible to be included in a visit or mission, foreign nationals must:

  • Be 21–45 (exceptions may be requested by the employer)
  • Have the required post-secondary education (or qualifying on-the-job training in some pilots)
  • Have at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience in the past 5 years
  • Meet minimum language levels: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for TEER 0–3 level occupations or CLB 4, or TEER 4–5 level occupations.

Preference may be given to applicants planning to live outside the Winnipeg area, and strong ties to other provinces can be viewed as a retention risk.

After receiving an invitation, applicants must then meet eligibility criteria and submit a candidate profile to the MPNP through the Skilled Worker Overseas stream. As part of this process, candidates must show both an intent and an ability to settle in Manitoba.

After submitting a candidate profile, foreign nationals must first be chosen in an immigration selection and receive an LAA before they can submit an application to be nominated by Manitoba.

If their application for provincial nomination is successful, they will receive a nomination certificate, and if applicable, an additional 600 points on their Express Entry profile.

Successful nominees must then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
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