Who are the employers participating in the New Brunswick critical 1

In November 2022, the New Brunswick government launched the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP) to attract skilled foreign workers to address critical labor shortages in the province.

Unlike many other Canadian immigration programs, the NBCWP offers comprehensive support to candidates throughout their immigration process, with six participating employers providing extensive settlement plans.

Below is an overview of the participating employers, their business activities, the roles they are hiring for, and the settlement services they offer to NBCWP candidates.

What is the NBCWP?

Launched in November 2022, the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot (NBCWP) is a five-year immigration initiative aimed at connecting skilled foreign workers with key industries in New Brunswick. The program partners with six select employers who are recognized for their strong track records in hiring foreign workers in Canada and operate within critical sectors of the province’s economy.

Under the NBCWP, successful candidates hired by one of these employers will receive comprehensive settlement support upon arriving in Canada. This includes:

Detailed plans for housing and transportation, helping candidates integrate smoothly into their jobs and communities, with a focus on long-term retention.
Strategic human resource planning to recruit international talent, with opportunities for skills development and training on the job.
Up to 200 hours of language training to improve communication skills, if required.
Assistance with obtaining Canadian secondary education equivalency for interested candidates.

Who are the participating employers?

Currently, six employers are involved in the NBCWP, all of which are industry leaders in New Brunswick with exemplary records of hiring newcomers. These employers are:

Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
Groupe Savoie Inc.
Groupe Westco
Imperial Manufacturing
J.D. Irving Ltd.
McCain Foods

While the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) does not restrict occupations for NBCWP candidates, this pilot is employer-driven. Candidates must consult the relevant employer to ensure their position aligns with NBCWP eligibility. Applications are handled by the employers.

Eligibility requires candidates to have a “genuine offer of full-time (indeterminate) employment from a participating employer” and meet the basic criteria of the NBPNP.

For a general idea of available positions, here are potential roles at each employer:

Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
A family-owned company specializing in sustainable aquaculture, Cooke Aquaculture is a leading seafood producer. The company’s activities include:

Salmon farming
Fish processing and product manufacturing
Transportation, distribution, and marketing

Possible positions:

Saltwater Aquaculture Worker, Hatchery Technician, Fish Processor, Truck Driver, Marine Mechanic, among others.

Groupe Savoie Inc.
A hardwood processing company established in 1978, Groupe Savoie produces high-quality wood products for various applications. Its operations cover:

Wood harvesting and manufacturing

Potential roles:

Building Maintenance Technician, Welder/Assembler, Millwright, Production Support.

Groupe Westco
One of Canada’s largest poultry farming companies, Groupe Westco also engages in:

Food production
Organic fertilizer production
Power generation and transportation

Potential positions:

Hatchery Technician, Poultry Farm Worker, Truck Driver, Forestry Technician.

Imperial Manufacturing Group (IMG)
A manufacturer of HVAC and building products, IMG operates across Canada and the U.S., producing over 7,000 products.

Potential roles:

Welder/Assembler, Millwright, Production Supervisor, Transportation Coordinator.

J.D. Irving, Limited
One of Canada’s largest privately held corporations, J.D. Irving operates in multiple sectors, including shipbuilding, agriculture, and forestry.

Possible positions: