Nova Scotia Targets Express Entry Talent for Critical Jobs

Nova Scotia has started sending Notices of Interest to some Express Entry candidates as part of a new effort to help employers fill jobs in sectors facing labour shortages.

The province is using the federal Express Entry system to find skilled workers who may match the needs of local employers. The goal is to connect qualified foreign workers with businesses that have not been able to hire enough people from within Canada.

So far, Nova Scotia has identified two priority areas under the new initiative: construction and health care.

The province announced the effort last week by adding a new “Critical Vacancies” section to its Live in Nova Scotia website.

Who may be considered

To receive a Notice of Interest, candidates must have an active Express Entry profile. Nova Scotia has said it is “leveraging the Express Entry system” to identify skilled workers for local employers.

Candidates do not need to have Canadian work experience or previous work experience in Nova Scotia to be considered.

At this stage, Nova Scotia has not listed the specific health-care jobs it is targeting. However, the province has posted forms for six construction-related occupations.

These include contractors and supervisors in other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers; contractors and supervisors in mechanic trades; structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters; welders and related machine operators; carpenters; and concrete finishers.

The National Occupational Classification codes listed for these construction jobs are 72014, 72020, 72104, 72106, 72310 and 73100.

Notice is not a nomination

A Notice of Interest is not the same as an invitation to apply for provincial nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program. It is also not an endorsement under the Atlantic Immigration Program.

Instead, the notice gives selected candidates a chance to share their background with the province. Nova Scotia may then pass suitable profiles to employers looking to hire.

Candidates who receive a job offer through this process may be in a stronger position to apply through a federal or provincial immigration program. In some cases, a candidate may also receive an invitation to apply through their Express Entry account as part of the process.

What candidates must do next

Candidates who receive a Notice of Interest will be asked to provide details about their work experience, education and qualifications.

They must submit this information through a form available on the province’s Critical Vacancies webpage.

Nova Scotia will then review the submissions and screen candidates based on the needs of available jobs. Qualified candidates may be shared with employers, who can contact them for interviews.

Employers may then offer jobs to candidates who meet their requirements.

Immigration priorities for 2026

The new initiative fits with Nova Scotia’s immigration priorities for 2026, which were announced in April.

Under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program framework, health-care workers and skilled tradespeople in TEER 0 to 4 are the highest priority for provincial nomination.

These are currently the only occupational groups open to both international applicants and temporary residents already living and working in the province.

Other sectors, including natural and applied sciences, education and manufacturing, may still be considered. However, those workers must already be temporary residents living in Nova Scotia.

Changes to intake system

Nova Scotia’s immigration system has also changed in recent months. On November 28, 2025, the province announced it would introduce an Expression of Interest model for both of its provincial immigration programs.

Under this model, all submissions, including earlier applications, are treated as Expressions of Interest and placed in a centralized pool.

As of May 1, 2026, Expressions of Interest are valid for 12 months, with some transition measures in place. Previously, they could stay in the pool indefinitely.