An International Post-Graduates (IPG) pilot visa scheme is to become a permanent category of British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program, it was announced this month. The project aims to attract and retain highly skilled international postgraduates in the science and technology fields by enabling them to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
The move is in response to concerns that the province may face significant skilled-worker shortages over the next decade, following a 20 per cent decline in economic immigration over the last five years. The shortages are expected to be most severe in the information technology and health science fields, with the technology sector being the fastest-growing in the province.
The three-year IPG pilot project was established in mid-2010 on a recommendation by the Premier’s Technology Council. It enables graduates from natural, applied or health sciences Masters and PhD programmes at BC institutions to apply for Permanent Resident status before receiving an offer of full-time employment.
Since the pilot visa channel was introduced, 734 highly-qualified postgraduates have been nominated so far.
“We want to retain the best and the brightest minds in our workforce to support the BC Jobs Plan”
Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training in British Columbia, said: “With the expectation of a million new jobs by 2020 we know that BC will require an increased number of highly skilled workers. We want to retain the best and the brightest minds in our workforce to support the BC Jobs Plan, both British Columbian and international post-grads.
“As we grow our economy and increase economic development in our province, international post-graduates will provide expertise to support innovation that will result in a thriving technology sector in our province.”
The pilot scheme has proved successful, with 91 per cent of IPG nominees either in employment or pursuing further advanced studies, and 93 per cent continuing to live in the province.
Moreover, an evaluation of the project, which was carried out by NRG Research Group and completed in May last year, revealed 88 per cent of employed nominees are working in an occupation directly related to their graduate degree.
“We at BCCIE support the efforts of the province in making the International Post-Graduates (IPG) pilot project a permanent [visa] category,” said Dr Randall Martin, Executive Director, BCCIE. “This is an important and crucial step in allowing highly qualified international graduates the opportunity to stay on in British Columbia to utilize their skills and knowledge, while contributing to the province by meeting BC’s labour market demands.”
Bill Tam, president and CEO of the British Columbia Technology Industry Association, also welcomed the move, saying “Talent attraction and retention is a critical issue for BC’s technology companies and we are pleased to have the International Post Graduate program become a permanent part of B.C.’s Provincial Nominee Program.”
“By encouraging highly skilled international graduates to build their careers in British Columbia, we retain the skilled talent needed to fuel our companies and the growth of our industry.”
