Nova Scotia – Provincial Nominee Program is a step towards making the province more independent of its skills and workforce requirements. Every year a quota of 500 PR visas and 2000 skills visas was being issued under the program. This has now been increased to 700 PR visas and 7200 skills visas. The Federal government wants the industry and the financial sectors to have enough manpower skills to work smoothly. Effective March 6, 2014 the policy changes aim to bring in more number of skilled immigrants. The changes do also correspond to the new Regional Labour Market Demand Stream. The community identified stream will be replaced with this new system to make it more efficient and skill oriented.

The federal government makes specific requirements on the eligibility criteria on Industrial Engineering Canada Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program-

1. The applicants need to have at-least 2 years of full time experience in the relevant field in the last 5 years
2. A CLB 5 to show proficiency with English or French language

One can see that the eligibility criterion is one out of basic requirements. This is in response to the dearth of skilled workforce in the province. Earlier, Nova Scotia didn't have enough workforces to fill up the PNP quota. Since the year 2010 the province has seen an increase in the amount of immigrants coming in search of employment. The Federal government is therefore under constant pressure to double up the stock on HR. This is particularly relevant because of the fact that the immigrants under the PR visa tend to reside more and engage themselves with the economically active professions. The leniency with the offer on employment is only an outcome to this.

Canada is seen as the growing ground for many professionals across the world. As one of its provinces, Nova Scotia makes it easy to settle down and get a lifelong employment. The nominee program leads to a work visa which can subsequently be transformed into Permanent Residency and Citizenship. One needs to qualify on academic and professional criteria to see the work visa. The federal government has made it easy by allowing the applicants to make an application without a prior offer on employment.

The immigrants to Nova Scotia have had a very positive impact on its economy. This is evident in the rise in employment rates, educational development and rising ‘per capita income'. The immigrants have been able to reach income levels consistent with the household income of other Nova Scotians. The surveys do also show that 95% of the respondents were very satisfied with the quality and the program and that the procedure was easy to comprehend and follow. The immigration program was initially introduced in the year 2003 for eligible professionals who want to live in Nova Scotia permanently. The program has yielded good results to the local labour market and the community, particularly for industrial engineering segment. The nominee program is also getting applications from the people who are already residing in the province and want to extend their stay.