Chambers of Commerce in seven communities will submit a joint application to a federally-run pilot program aimed at bringing skilled immigrant workers to rural communities.
The 5-Year Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is meant to help fill needs in the labour markets of smaller communities.
The Chambers of Commerce in Creston, Cranbrook, Columbia Valley, Fernie, Kimberley Golden and Revelstoke partnered to submit the application.
“This is a way for businesses who are trying to recruit skilled workers and positions they have been unable to fill locally and fast-tracks residency for those critical jobs,” said Andrew Wilson, Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce General Manager.
Wilson says labour shortages are a concern across communities throughout different sectors, such as tourism, hospitality and child care.
“We’re really trying to focus on areas that can support our communities as a whole. This isn’t for jobs that can easily be filled by locals,” explained Wilson. “This is a very focused immigration program for positions that will benefit the community at large.”
According to Wilson, filling gaps in the labour force has been an ongoing struggle for smaller communities.
“It is difficult to attract people to smaller towns and bring them out of cities. This program is a way to disperse that talent across Canada and I think we in the Kootenays can really benefit,” said Wilson.
The seven Kootenay-based chambers are banding together to improve their chances of being selected as one of 15 applicants across Canada.
“As a collective, with multiple communities, we can raise the funding needed to bring on full-time staff and have the capacity to manage a program like this,” said Wilson.
“We’re clearly seeing the need and demand there, so even if this application doesn’t go through, I think we can keep having these conversations.”
The chambers are gathering feedback and proof of funding right up until the application deadline on July 16.
A free public information session is planned for Monday, July 8 and you can participate by clicking here.
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