Strategic Recruitment Stream

This stream allows individuals to apply to the AINP without employer support. It consists of three different categories:

Compulsory and Optional Trades Category – Tradespersons who hold either an Alberta Qualification Certificate or a Recognized Trade Certificate may be eligible under this category. Individuals must be residing in Alberta on a valid work permit at the time of application and work in a compulsory or optional trade.
Engineering Occupations Category – This category was designed for engineers, designers and drafters with Alberta work experience. Applicants must work in one of the designated occupations.
Post Graduate Worker Category – Individuals who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Alberta, and who are currently working in Alberta in an eligible occupation on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, may be eligible for this program.

Compulsory and Optional Trades Criteria

These criteria apply to all supervisors, foremen and tradespeople working in a compulsory or optional trade in Alberta.
The criteria for the Compulsory and Optional Trades Category include but are not limited to:

You must intend to and be able to live and work permanently in Alberta.
You must have:
- a valid Alberta Qualification Certificate in a compulsory or optional trade (PDF), or
- a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Recognized Trade Certificate in a compulsory or optional trade. If you do not have an Alberta Qualification Certificate or an AIT Recognized Trade Certificate when you apply to the AINP, your application will be declined. The AINP will verify that your trade certificate is valid and qualifies.
You must be residing in Alberta at the time of application and show that you have a valid work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to work in Alberta in the trade in which you are certified.
You must show, at the time of application, that you are either currently working in your trade for an Alberta Employer or have previously worked in your trade with an Alberta Employer for a minimum of six months in the past two years.
If you are working as a Parts Technician (see AIT definitions for this occupation here and here), you are working in a NOC C (semi-skilled) level occupation. You are required to meet language requirements for semi-skilled occupations.

Who is not eligible?

In addition to individuals who are not working in an optional or compulsory trade in Alberta, individuals in the following circumstances are not eligible under the Strategic Recruitment Stream:

Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process. It is not the mandate of the AINP to intervene in the federal refugee claim, appeal or removal process.
Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
Temporary Foreign Workers working and residing in a province other than Alberta
International students studying in Canada, including students doing co-op work placements or internships as part of their study program.

Engineering Occupations Criteria

The criteria for the Engineering Occupations Category include but are not limited to:

You must be currently residing in Alberta.
You must intend to and be able to live permanently in Alberta.
You must provide evidence of related education/training and experience as an engineer, designer or drafter.
You must be currently working or have worked within the last two years in Alberta either directly or on contract for an Alberta Employer.
Your occupation in Alberta must be on the AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream Engineering Occupations List.
If you have engineering credentials and you are working in an occupation under NOC 0211, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2141, 2143, 2144, or 2145, you must provide a “Letter of No Objection” from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) or show that you are registered with APEGA as a foreign licensee.
If you are working in an occupation under NOC 2231, 2232, 2241 or 2253 you do not require a “Letter of No Objection” from APEGA

If you are an engineer but your NOC code is not on the Engineering Occupations List, you may qualify to submit an AINP application under the Skilled Worker category of the Employer-Driven Stream.

Post-Graduate Worker Criteria

Students who graduated from an eligible post-secondary educational institution in Alberta, and who are residing in the province on a Post-Graduation Work Permit, may apply to this program.Post-Graduate Worker Category criteria include but are not limited to:
As a Candidate, you must:

Clearly show in the application that you are able to and intend to live permanently in Alberta.
Be working full-time in Alberta, at the time of application, for an Alberta employer.
Have obtained a certificate, diploma, degree, or have completed a graduate level program from one of these AINP approved Alberta public and private post-secondary institutions.
The program of study in Alberta must have been at least one year (i.e. minimum of two semesters of full-time study, or equivalent) in duration.
Have a current and valid Post-Graduation Work Permit issued by IRCC.
Be working in one of the following National Occupational Classification(NOC) skill levels:
- NOC 0: Management occupations
- NOC A: Occupations that usually require university education
- NOC B: Occupations that usually require college education
- NOC C: Occupations that usually require specific training and/or secondary education.
  - Some occupations are not eligible for consideration under the AINP. Please review the list of ineligible occupations (list updated June 20, 2014). If your occupation is on this list, you are not eligible to apply to the AINP under this category.

If working in a NOC C occupation, you must submit official test results showing that you meet the minimum language standards