Newfoundland and Labrador Hosts Virtual Job Fairs to Attract Foreign Workers

Newfoundland and Labrador is taking steps to address ongoing labor shortages by organizing a series of virtual job fairs designed to assist employers in recruiting foreign workers.

The Department of Immigration, Population Growth, and Skills in Newfoundland and Labrador encourages local employers interested in meeting their staffing needs with international talent to participate in these free virtual immigration fairs. The fairs will run from September 20, 2023, to March 27, 2024, kicking off with a focus on the East and South East Asia as well as Oceania regions.

In the first seven months of this year, Newfoundland experienced a remarkable surge in immigration, with a growth rate of 109.5% compared to the same period last year. This makes it the province with the highest immigration growth rate in the early part of this year, compared to 2022.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has played a significant role in this immigration growth, witnessing a staggering 351.6% increase in the number of new permanent residents during the same period. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to sustaining this population growth, with a goal of welcoming 5,100 newcomers annually by 2026.

Here is the schedule of upcoming virtual job fairs:

• East Asia, South East Asia, Oceania: September 20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time (8:30 a.m. Newfoundland and Labrador Time).
• Africa: October 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. West Africa Time (1:30 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador Time).
• Europe, Central Asia: November 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Irish Standard Time (3:30 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador Time).
• Middle East, South Asia: January 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Gulf Standard Time (11:30 a.m. Newfoundland and Labrador Time).
• The Americas: March 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (8:30 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador Time).

The province has already conducted an online information session for interested employers on September 6, 2023. However, employers who missed this session can still register online and reach out with any questions to attraction@gov.nl.ca.

These virtual job fairs offer employers the opportunity to tap into an international talent pool to fill positions that cannot be filled locally. Employers can connect with potential international candidates, review resumes, and schedule interviews. The fairs will highlight in-demand sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador, including healthcare, early childhood education, technology, hospitality, and more.