Steinbach, Manitoba’s third-largest city, has officially released the priority sectors and occupations eligible under its new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), an employer-driven initiative designed to attract skilled workers to support local labour needs and economic growth.
What is RCIP?
Launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) is a federal economic immigration initiative designed to help rural communities attract and retain skilled talent.
Through RCIP, eligible Steinbach employers can:
- Hire skilled foreign workers from outside Canada for approved roles
- Support existing temporary foreign workers in obtaining permanent residency.
The program gives foreign workers and their families a pathway to live and work in Steinbach permanently, offering stability and long-term opportunity in one of Manitoba’s fastest-growing cities.
Why Choose Steinbach?
With a population of over 17,000, Steinbach is Manitoba’s third-largest city and one of Canada’s fastest-growing regional economies. Long known for its agricultural roots, Steinbach is now a hub for agribusiness innovation, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, all supported by a diverse and skilled workforce.
Here’s what makes Steinbach a smart choice:
- Strong economic foundation with advanced infrastructure
- Active development across multiple industries
- Affordable cost of living and high quality of life
- Proximity to Winnipeg and the U.S. border
- Supportive environment for newcomers and families
Designated Area
The designated area boundaries include the City of Steinbach census division and surrounding areas, including communities in the RM of Ste. Anne, RM of Piney, RM of La Broquerie, the urban district of Landmark and Vita, as per map.
Priority Sectors
Each RCIP community is allowed to identify up to five key sectors facing labour shortages. For Steinbach, the selected priority sectors are:
- Health
- Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services
- Sales and Service
- Trades and Transport
- Manufacturing and Utilities
Priority Occupations
Below is a list of occupations eligible for recommendation under the Steinbach RCIP, along with their corresponding 2021 NOC codes:
- 11202 Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
- 12200 Accounting Technicians and Bookkeepers
- 21112 Agriculture Representative, Consultants, and Specialists
- 21221 Business Systems Specialists
- 21223 Database Analysts and Data Administrators
- 21321 Industrial Manufacturing Engineers
- 22212 Drafting Technologists and Technicians
- 22303 Construction Estimators
- 31102 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
- 31301 Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
- 32101 Licensed Practical Nurses
- 32104 Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians
- 32124 Pharmacy Technicians
- 32201 Massage Therapists
- 33102 Nurses Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
- 41101 Lawyers and Quebec Notaries
- 42202 Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
- 60020 Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
- 62020 Food Service Supervisors
- 63100 Insurance Agents and Brokers
- 70010 Construction Managers
- 72106 Welders and Related Machine Operators
- 72401 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
- 72410 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers
- 72422 Electrical Mechanics
Recommendations & Quotas
To maintain fairness and diversity across occupations, SED has implemented the following limits:
- Up to 5 recommendations will be issued per intake period
- A maximum of 1 recommendation per NOC code will be approved each month
- Each NOC code is limited to 2 recommendations per calendar year
Exceptions — No NOC Limit Applies To
- 31102 – General Practitioners and Family Physicians
- 31301 – Registered Nurses
- 32101 – Licensed Practical Nurses
- 33102 – Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
These healthcare-related roles are exempt from monthly or annual quotas due to high demand.
Intake Periods
To manage application volumes, the Steinbach Economic Development (SED) has set specific intake rules:
- June 1-15
- July 1-15
- August 1-15
- September 1-15
- October 1-15
- November 1-15
- December 1-15
Each intake opens on the 1st and closes on the 15th, or earlier if 7 applications are received. Applications are reviewed between the 16th and the end of the month.
How to Apply
RCIP – Steinbach is employer-driven. Candidates cannot apply directly without a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community.
To qualify, candidates must:
- Secure a job offer from a designated employer
- Have at least one year of full-time, continuous work experience in the past three years
- Meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels based on the job’s NOC
- Hold a Canadian secondary school diploma or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Provide proof of settlement funds (if required)
For Employers
To participate in the Steinbach RCIP, employers must first be designated by Steinbach Economic Development (SED). After receiving designation, they can submit community recommendation applications on behalf of foreign skilled workers.
Ready to Explore These Opportunities?
If you’re considering applying through the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) or the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), our experienced immigration consultants at Northern Connections Canada Immigration are here to guide you.
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 a Steinbach 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.
Stay Updated
To stay informed about the latest developments regarding the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) or Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), including when other communities release their priority occupation lists, follow us on our social media channels:
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nccanadaimmigration?lang=en
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- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaywilsoncoach/
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The Team at Northern Connections Canada
