The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has broadened its Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream, opening doors for more newcomers to gain provincial nomination. Announced on July 4th by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the update includes an additional 35 National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes to the list of eligible occupations:

NOC 14400 – Shippers and Receivers

NOC 14402 – Production logistics workers

NOC 65320 – Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations

NOC 74200 – Railway yard and track maintenance workers

NOC 74203 – Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers

NOC 74204 – Utility maintenance workers

NOC 74205 – Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
NOC 75101 – Material handlers

NOC 75119 – Other trades helpers and labourers

NOC 75211 – Railway and motor transport labourers

NOC 75212 – Public works and maintenance labourers

NOC 85102 – Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers

NOC 94101 – Foundry workers

NOC 94102 – Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters

NOC 94103 – Concrete, clay and stone forming operators

NOC 94104 – Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing

NOC 94112 – Rubber processing machine operators and related workers

NOC 94120 – Sawmill machine operators

NOC 94121 – Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators

NOC 94123 – Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders

NOC 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers

NOC 94143 – Testers and graders, food and beverage processing

NOC 94200 – Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers

NOC 94202 – Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing

NOC 94203 – Assemblers, fabricators and inspectors, industrial electrical motors and transformers

NOC 94205 – Machine operators and inspectors, electrical apparatus manufacturing

NOC 94211 – Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products

NOC 94212 – Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors

NOC 95100 – Labourers in mineral and metal processing

NOC 95101 – Labourers in metal fabrication

NOC 95103 – Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing

NOC 95104 – Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing

NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing

NOC 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing

This expansion strengthens the program’s ability to address critical labor shortages in the province.

Eligibility Requirements for the Employer Job Offer Stream

In-Demand Skills Stream is a targeted pathway within Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) designed to address pressing labor needs across the province. This stream prioritizes occupations in key sectors like agriculture, construction, skilled trades, and manufacturing.

To qualify for this stream, several criteria must be met. First, the job offer must be full-time (minimum 1,560 hours annually or 30 hours weekly) and permanent (no end date) from a legitimate Ontario employer. Contract positions are not eligible.

Secondly, candidates need demonstrable experience in Ontario. At least nine months of cumulative, full-time, paid work experience in the same field (matching NOC code) as the offered position is required. This experience can be accumulated within three years before submitting an application.

Language proficiency is also essential. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of four in all four skill areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in either English or French is mandatory.

Educational qualifications are another factor. A Canadian high school diploma or equivalent foreign credential is preferred. If lacking Canadian education, an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) will be necessary.

Lastly, for professions requiring licensing, candidates must possess the relevant license from the appropriate provincial regulatory body before applying for nomination under this stream.