As part of Canada’s ongoing Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), the Altona/Rhineland community in Manitoba has released its 2025 Sector and Labour Market Priorities List, helping to guide qualified applicants and employers through the program’s pathways.
This initiative plays a crucial role in supporting regional growth by addressing local labour shortages and providing opportunities for skilled immigrants to settle and contribute to smaller communities.
What is RCIP?
Launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a federal economic immigration initiative designed to help rural communities attract and retain skilled talent.
Through the RCIP, eligible employers in designated rural areas can:
- Hire skilled foreign workers from outside Canada for approved roles
- Support existing temporary foreign workers in transitioning to permanent residency
This pilot offers a streamlined pathway for foreign workers and their families to live and work permanently in participating communities, including the Altona/Rhineland region, enabling both local economies and newcomers to thrive.
Why Choose the RPGA Region?
The RPGA (Rhineland, Plum Coulee, Gretna, Altona) is located in southern Manitoba, where natural resources are abundant, and the communities are known for their strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.
Here’s why the RPGA region stands out:
- Diverse agricultural sector and growing manufacturing industries
- Local businesses driven by innovation and productivity
- Strategic location near the U.S. border for efficient domestic shipping and international trade
- Affordable living with low costs for land, utilities, and housing
- Small-town lifestyle with clean air, safe communities, and welcoming neighborhoods
RCIP Boundaries
The RCIP for Altona/Rhineland only applies to communities located within:
- The Town of Altona
- The Municipality of Rhineland
Job offers from outside these areas—even from a designated employer—are not eligible for this program.
Priority Sectors for 2025
Applications are accepted only from the following sectors, based on the NOC 2021 classification:
- 4 – Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services
- 6 – Sales and Services
- 7 – Trades and Transport
- 8 – Natural Resources and Agriculture
- 9 – Manufacturing and Utilities
Priority Occupations
Eligible occupations must match the NOC codes listed below and fall under the approved sectors.
| National Occupation Categories (NOC) | Occupation Name | Sector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities |
| 12013 | Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities |
| 14400 | Shippers and receivers | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants | Education, law and social, community and government services |
| 62010 | Retail sales supervisors | Sales and service |
| 62020 | Food service supervisors | Sales and service |
| 63200 | Cooks | Sales and service |
| 65201 | Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations | Sales and service |
| 64400 | Customer service representatives – Financial institutions | Sales and service |
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators | Manufacturing and utilities, Trades and transport |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities, Trades and transport |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | Natural resources and agriculture, Trades and transport |
| 73401 | Printing press operators | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 75101 | Material handlers | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 90010 | Manufacturing managers | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities |
| 92012 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing | Natural resources and agriculture |
| 94105 | Metalworking and forging machine operators | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 94140 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing | Natural resources and agriculture |
| 94141 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 94151 | Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 94152 | Binding and finishing machine operators | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 94204 | Mechanical assemblers and inspectors | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 94213 | Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators | Manufacturing and utilities |
| 95106 | Labourers in food and beverage processing | Natural resources and agriculture |
| 95109 | Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities | Natural resources and agriculture, Manufacturing and utilities |
- For Food and Beverage Retailers under the Sales and Service sector, each designated employer may recruit a maximum of two (2) employees.
- Recommendations are issued on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year, so applying early is essential.
List of Designated Employers
| Employer Name |
|---|
| Elmer’s Welding & Manufacturing Ltd. |
This list is updated regularly as more employers receive designation. If you’re currently working in the RPGA (Rhineland, Plum Coulee, Gretna, Altona) region, you may ask your employer to apply for designation. Please note that participation in the program is entirely voluntary—employers are not obligated to take part.
Important: Being a designated employer does not necessarily mean there are job openings. Some employers may only be designated to support their existing employees under the RCIP.
How to Apply
The Altona/Rhineland Rural Community Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven program, meaning that candidates must first secure employment with one of the designated employers under the program. Once a candidate has secured a job offer, they can then apply for permanent residency.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Receive a job offer from a designated employer
- Have at least one year of continuous, full-time work experience within the last three years
- Meet the minimum required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level
- Hold a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, if applicable
Click here to create your candidate profile and view current opportunities
For Employers
Employers must apply for designation through the Economic Development Officer (EDO) and complete all necessary steps and eligibility requirements to become a designated employer under the Altona/Rhineland program. Once designated, they may submit candidate recommendations for consideration through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
Ready to Explore These Opportunities?
The Altona/Rhineland Rural Community Immigration Pilot offers a unique pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers both inside and outside Canada. With its focus on regional growth, affordable living, and a welcoming community, the RPGA region is an excellent place to build your future.
Whether you’re applying through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) or the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), the experienced consultants at Northern Connections Canada Immigration are here to support your journey.
Here’s how we can help:
Employers
Looking to recruit skilled workers? We offer recruitment services to help you find skilled labour to meet your staffing needs. If not yet designated, we can assist with the application for designation. Contact us at info@nccanadaimmigration.com.
Candidates
Already have a job offer from an Altona/Rhineland employer? We can assist with submitting a strong and compelling application, ensuring all program requirements are met and your application is poised for success.
Contact us today and take the next step toward permanent residency in Canada.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
