British Columbia is the westernmost of the provinces in Canada. British Columbia, or BC as it is more commonly referred to, is bounded towards the north by Yukon and the Northwest Territories. While the province of Alberta lies to its east, the US states of Montana, Idaho and Washington lie to the south of the province. The Pacific Ocean surrounds BC to the west.
The province of British Columbia in Canada is one of the 9 provinces and 2 territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP]. For addressing the high requirement for tech professionals in the province, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program [BC PNP] holds regular draws under its Tech Pilot.
The demand for talent in the tech sector in the province is increasing at a much higher rate as compared to the supply of the same. The tech sector in BC is considered to be a major driver of economic growth in the province. Tech employment in the province is at the highest level recorded so far.
The Tech Pilot of the BC PNP ensures that the technology sector in the province can attract as well as retain the required talent, both for its sustenance at present as well as growth in the future.
BC employers can address their talent requirements through the BC PNP Tech Pilot that provides a fast-tracked pathway to Canada immigration for international students and foreign workers that are in demand in the province.
Timeliness and prioritization are some of the key features of the Pilot. Along with weekly invitations being issued under the Tech Pilot, tech applications that are submitted get priority processing as well.
While the processing time for 80% of applications submitted to the BC PNP is 2 to 3 months from the receipt of the application, Tech Pilot applications are processed within a much shorter timeframe.
Demonstrated to be in high demand in the BC tech sector, 29 tech occupations make up the list of eligible occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot.
Initially, a labour market research conducted by the Vancouver Economic Commission and the BC Tech Association identified 32 tech occupations that were in high demand in the province. Nevertheless, based on the actual demand received from the BC tech sector employers during the first year of the Pilot, a decision was taken to go ahead with 29 of the original 32.
29 occupations eligible for the BC PNP Tech Pilot
| National Occupational Classification [NOC] Code | Job Title |
| 0131 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 0512 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 2131 | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | Chemical engineers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers [except software engineers and designers] |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2221 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians [household and business equipment] |
| 2243 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5125 | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
| 5224 | Broadcast technicians |
| 5225 | Audio and video recording technicians |
| 5226 | Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
| 5227 | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
| 5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
Those applying under a Skills Immigration category in any of the above-mentioned 29 occupations must have a job offer of a minimum of 1 year in length, of which at least 120 days must be remaining at the time of applying to the BC PNP.
Do note that the BC PNP Tech Pilot is not any separate category or stream as such. Applicants are required to apply to the BC PNP under any of the existing categories while ensuring that they meet the general as well as category requirements.
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