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January 19 2005 - The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has been opened up to help employers bring skilled workers to the province. From January 19 Saskatchewan employers and businesses have an enhanced opportunity to permanently hire qualified, foreign, skilled workers under the SINP.

"The provincial government is working hard to help Saskatchewan grow by attracting immigrants to Saskatchewan," Minister responsible for Immigration Pat Atkinson said. "Under the new rules, employers can now hire qualified immigrants for most technical, trade and professional occupations in the province."

Before today the program accepted skilled workers in 12 occupations or individual jobs where there was a demonstrated shortage. The 12 occupations covered only about 10,000 jobs in the province, or just 2% of Saskatchewan's employment market. This compares to an estimated 200,000 jobs, or 45% of the jobs market, covered by the new rules.

"Today's enhancements to the Skilled Worker category will be of particular interest to Saskatchewan business people and entrepreneurs looking to expand and increase productivity through the hiring of skilled immigrant workers," Atkinson said. "Our goal is to make the SINP responsive to the needs of employers, and let them determine what occupations they wish to recruit internationally."

This expansion of the Skilled Worker category is the latest enhancement to Saskatchewan's immigration program. Over the past several months, in collaboration with employers, industry associations and the federal government, the province expanded the program to include new categories for foreign students and health professionals.

In addition, the provincial government is currently running a pilot program with the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), aimed at attracting 240 long-haul truckers to our province to address labour needs in that important sector.