Advanced Education and Skills
September 18, 2014

Building Strong Communities for a Brighter Future

Provincial Delegation Pursues Skilled Labour at International Expos

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, is leading a delegation to participate in two Working International Expo events to help attract skilled workers and meet labour demands in Newfoundland and Labrador. The first event begins this Saturday, September 20, in London, England, followed by the Dublin, Ireland, event on Wednesday, September 24.

“It is an exciting time in Newfoundland and Labrador − economic growth, job creation, business expansion and a booming economy bring an increased demand for skilled workers. To help meet this demand, we are expanding our search to London and Dublin to attract workers to fill job vacancies and grow the province’s population.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

Working International Expo is a world-leading organizer of international job migration events and delivers candidates who are motivated, skilled and immediately available. Each year more than 60,000 skilled individuals attend events with resumes in hand, eager to take jobs, build careers and start new and better lives in countries like Canada.

“While it is always our first priority to employ Newfoundlanders and Labradors, this is not always possible. Another way to address the growing demand for labour is to encourage skilled workers from other countries to relocate to the province. This year’s recruitment mission builds on the success of a similar recruiting event held last year in Ireland. That event led to 18 people being nominated by the Provincial Nominee Program, with 15 of these individuals currently living and working in our province and more anticipated in the near future.”
- Minister O’Brien

Given Ireland’s historical and cultural ties to Newfoundland and Labrador and its English-speaking educated workforce, it has been identified as a key country for the recruitment of skilled workers and the attraction of business investment and international trade. With its large population full of diversified skill sets, London is one of the main centres in the immigration market and is a prime location to recruit skilled workers.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, is visiting London and Dublin to attract skilled workers to work and live permanently in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The Minister is leading a delegation to participate in Working International Expo events, which attract 60,000 skilled people each year who are looking to build careers in countries like Canada.
• Last year’s recruitment event held in Ireland resulted in 18 people being nominated by the Provincial Nominee Program, with 15 of these individuals currently working in our province.
• Given Ireland’s historical and cultural ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, it has been identified as a key source country for the recruitment of skilled workers.
• With its large population full of diversified skill sets, London is one of the main centres in the immigration market and is a prime location to recruit skilled workers.

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2014 09 18                             10:10 a.m.