Thunder Bay’s RCIP: In-Demand Jobs and Sectors for 2025
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) launched the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) on April 24, 2025, to address labor shortages in key industries. This employer-driven program targets five priority sectors, offering pathways for skilled workers to secure permanent residency in Thunder Bay, Canada. While specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and job titles are not fully publicized, the CEDC has outlined eligible sectors with likely roles based on local needs and historical data from the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).
Priority Sectors for Jobs in Demand (RCIP, Thunder Bay)
Business, Finance, and Administration
Roles: Accountants (NOC 11100), Administrative Officers (NOC 13100), Bookkeepers (NOC 12200)
Supports Thunder Bay’s growing business and public sectors.
Health Occupations
Roles: Registered Nurses (NOC 3012), Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101), Personal Support Workers (NOC 4412)
High demand due to shortages in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Education, Law, Social, Community, and Government Services
Roles: Early Childhood Educators (NOC 4214), Social Workers (NOC 41300), Community Service Workers (NOC 4212)
Bolsters educational and community services.
Sales and Service
Roles: Cooks (NOC 63200), Retail Salespersons (NOC 64100), Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020)
Driven by tourism and retail growth.
Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators
Roles: Electricians (NOC 72200), Transport Truck Drivers (NOC 73300), Construction Labourers (NOC 75110)
Fuels mining, construction, and logistics sectors.
How It Works
Employer-Driven: Candidates need a full-time, permanent job offer from a CEDC-designated employer in one of these sectors.
Eligibility: Requires 1,560 hours of relevant work experience, language proficiency, and intent to reside in Thunder Bay. For regulated roles (e.g., nurses), provincial licensure is mandatory.
Process: Employers submit applications on behalf of candidates via the CEDC portal. Applications are scored, with a minimum of 50 points needed to enter the candidate pool.
General RCIP Candidate Requirements
To qualify for the RCIP, candidates must meet the following criteria:
· Job Offer: Secure a full-time, permanent job offer from a CEDC-designated employer in Thunder Bay. The job must align with the program’s priority sectors and occupations (specific sectors are not detailed in the provided data but are determined by CEDC based on local labor needs).
· Intent to Reside: Demonstrate a genuine intention to live permanently in Thunder Bay, supported by actions toward settlement (e.g., community ties, family connections, or plans to contribute to the community).
· Work Experience: Have at least 1,560 hours (equivalent to one year of full-time work at 30 hours per week) of verifiable work experience in the past five years. This experience must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of the job offer.
· Education: If residing outside Canada, candidates must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report (less than 5 years old) showing a foreign credential equivalent to a Canadian secondary school level or above. Candidates in Canada may meet either the educational or job offer requirement.
· Language Proficiency: Meet minimum language requirements (not specified in the data but typically aligned with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for similar programs).
· Licensure (if applicable): For regulated professions, candidates must hold necessary certification or licensure from the relevant provincial regulatory body.
· Scoring: Applications are ranked using a points-based system, with a minimum score of 50 points required to enter the candidate pool.
Employer Requirements
Employers must be designated by the CEDC to participate in the RCIP. Designation criteria include:
Operating as an active, genuine business in Thunder Bay for at least two years (or three years if recently relocated).
No violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents before offering jobs to foreign nationals.
Commitment to mentoring, counseling, and supporting immigrants’ integration into the community.
Application Process
· Employer Designation: Employers apply for designation by submitting the RCIP Employer Designation Application Form and completing mandatory training.
· Job Offer: Designated employers offer eligible candidates a full-time, permanent job that meets RCIP requirements.
· Candidate Application: Employers submit the Recommendation Application Form (one per candidate) with required documentation via the CEDC portal. Candidates do not apply directly to the CEDC.
· Assessment: Applications are assessed on an ongoing basis, ranked by points, and placed in the candidate pool if they meet the minimum score
Notes
Healthcare Focus: Historical RNIP data shows strong demand for nurses and support workers, likely continuing under RCIP.
No Public Job List: Specific NOC codes and job titles are set by the CEDC Advisory Council but not fully published. Contact the CEDC for details.
No Direct Applications: Unlike the RNIP, candidates cannot apply directly to the CEDC; they must work through designated employers.
