VICTORIA, B.C. — Approximately 37,000 new professional drivers across Canada are needed each year, with at least 4,500 new drivers required annually in B.C. alone, based on industry growth patterns.

To address a growing shortfall, B.C.’s provincial government, is launching a two-year pilot project aimed at attracting foreign workers, to help offset serious labour shortages specifically in the trucking and tourism/hospitality industries.

“The trucking and tourism/hospitality industries play a critical role in our export-oriented economy, and are experiencing persistent labour shortages,” says B.C.’s economic development minister, Colin Hansen.

The entry-level and semi-skilled pilot project under the B.C. provincial nominee program will help these industries retain workers that they recruit internationally through expedited access for permanent residency. As an added attraction: spouses and dependents of nominees are also eligible for permanent residence under the program.

The pilot project is open to eligible employers in the long-haul trucking and tourism/hospitality industries, and to temporary foreign workers in entry level and semi-skilled occupations, who have been employed by their B.C. employer for at least nine months. Criteria for the pilot project will ensure that workers have the ability to establish themselves successfully in B.C., and that employers will offer good employment prospects and working conditions.

The B.C. provincial nominee program will monitor compliance and employee retention and will undertake a comprehensive review of the pilot project prior to its initial expiry. For more information about the program, contact the PNP website at: www.pnp.gov.bc.ca