Nova Scotia has started using the federal Express Entry system in a more targeted way to help local employers fill critical job vacancies. The province is now sending Notices of Interest to selected Express Entry candidates whose skills may match labour shortages in Nova Scotia.
This is not a standard provincial nomination invitation. It is also not an endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Rather, Nova Scotia is using the Express Entry pool to identify potential workers who may be connected with employers in sectors where local recruitment has not been successful. The province confirms that this process is meant to help identify and attract skilled foreign workers for critical vacancies that Nova Scotia employers are unable to fill locally.
At this stage, Nova Scotia has identified two main sectors under this process: healthcare and construction trades. For construction trades, the province has listed the following occupations:
• Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (72014)
• Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades (72020)
• Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (72104)
• Welders and related machine operators (72106)
• Carpenters (72310)
• Concrete finishers (73100)
**The province has also listed healthcare as a category, but it has not yet published specific healthcare occupations.
Who may receive a Notice of Interest?
To receive a Notice of Interest under this process, a person must have an active Express Entry profile. Nova Scotia is reviewing the federal Express Entry pool and identifying candidates whose work experience may fit local employer vacancies.
There is no stated requirement that the candidate must already have Canadian work experience or Nova Scotia work experience. This is important because many provincial pathways tend to favour candidates already living or working in the province. This process appears to give Nova Scotia a way to reach qualified candidates outside the province and outside Canada, particularly in sectors where labour shortages remain high.
That said, receiving a Notice of Interest should not be misunderstood. It does not mean the candidate has been nominated. It does not mean the candidate has a job offer. It does not guarantee permanent residence. It simply means Nova Scotia may be interested in reviewing the candidate’s background for possible employer matching.
What happens after a candidate receives a Notice of Interest?
Candidates who receive a Notice of Interest are directed to Nova Scotia’s Critical Vacancies page. They must then submit information about their work experience, education, and qualifications through the appropriate form.
Nova Scotia will review the submissions and screen candidates based on the needs of active vacancies. If a candidate appears suitable, their profile may be shared with employers. Employers can then contact shortlisted candidates, conduct interviews, and decide whether to extend a job offer.
A job offer may then help the candidate pursue a suitable immigration pathway, depending on the occupation, employer, wage, work location, and the candidate’s overall profile. In some cases, Nova Scotia states that candidates may receive an Invitation to Apply in their Express Entry account as part of this process.
Why this matters for Express Entry candidates
This development is important because it shows Nova Scotia is not only waiting for candidates to submit provincial applications. The province is actively looking into the Express Entry pool to find workers who may fit current labour market needs.
For candidates in healthcare and construction trades, this could create a practical opportunity. A candidate who may not currently have a Canadian job offer could be introduced to a Nova Scotia employer. If that employer decides to hire the candidate, the job offer could support one or more immigration options.
Depending on the facts, this may include a provincial nomination, an Atlantic Immigration Program pathway, or another federal or provincial option. The right pathway will depend on the employer, the position, and the candidate’s eligibility.
Why this matters for employers in Nova Scotia
For employers, this process may offer another way to find qualified workers when local recruitment has not produced suitable candidates. Nova Scotia has stated that the process is intended to support employers with verified critical labour market vacancies.
Employers should still expect normal immigration and hiring requirements to apply. A foreign worker match does not remove the need to meet program criteria. Employers may still need to show that the job is genuine, the wage is appropriate, and the business can support the position.
A job offer should also be prepared carefully. The job title, duties, wage, hours, location, and employment terms should be consistent with the immigration pathway being used.
