“We are proud to launch this strategy to support efforts to create jobs in our new landscape,” said advanced education, skills and immigration minister Wayne Ewasko.

“The goal of the strategy is to ensure we have the people with the right skills, talent and knowledge at the right time”

“As we navigate our way forward, the goal of the strategy is to ensure we have the people with the right skills, talent and knowledge at the right time, to rebound from the effects of the pandemic and support economic resilience and growth.”

For international students the strategy will seek to “align Manitoba’s international education and economic development priorities, and encourage international students to enrol in programs that align with Manitoba labour market needs and make Manitoba a destination of choice”, as well as “promote industry-facing internships for relevant research and development to local and international students”.

This particularly applies to sectors such as agriculture, where it is expected that one in five jobs will be unfilled by 2025.

According to IRCC data, there were 21,075 international students studying in Manitoban colleges and universities in 2017.

As noted in the country’s International Education Strategy, international students in Canada tend to be concentrated in large cities and the country is keen to attract students to a greater variety of regions and schools, which would foster more sustainable growth across the sector.

Within Canada, Manitoba is the fifth most popular destination for international students behind Ontario (315,915), British Columbia (155,455), Quebec (82,660) and Alberta (35,040).

“[The strategy] provides and important framework for post-secondary institutions to prepare students for in-demand jobs while accelerating our economic recovery and growth,” said Fred Meier, president and CEO of Red River College.

“We are positioning our province as a destination for talent here and abroad to study work grow and stay right here in Manitoba.”