In a significant move to bolster local economic development and attract skilled talent, Claresholm has officially disclosed its priority sectors and occupations under the newly introduced Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). This announcement marks a key step forward in the federal initiative designed to address labour shortages in smaller Canadian communities.
Local Focus: A Southern Alberta Community Takes Initiative
Situated in southern Alberta, Claresholm is now one of the 14 designated communities taking part in the RCIP. The jurisdiction for this pilot extends beyond Claresholm’s town limits, encompassing a 25-kilometre radius that includes nearby communities such as the hamlet of Granum and the town of Stavely.
The RCIP is an employer-led immigration pathway that enables rural regions to nominate foreign workers for permanent residence, provided they secure a job offer from a local employer that meets federal designation requirements.
Targeted Sectors and Occupations Announced
Under the RCIP guidelines, each participating community is permitted to identify five priority sectors in alignment with local labour demands. Claresholm has selected the following sectors and has assigned specific occupations within each category:
| Sector | Occupation Title | NOC Code |
| Agriculture | Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators | 84120 |
| Health Care | Cooks | 63200 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | 32101 | |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 | |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 | |
| Law & Education | Administrative Officers | 13100 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | |
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | |
| Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 72600 | |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | Administrative Assistants | 13110 |
| Aerospace Engineers | 21390 | |
| Aircraft Assemblers and Aircraft Assembly Inspectors | 93200 | |
| Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors | 22313 | |
| Aircraft Mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 | |
| Carpenters | 72310 | |
| Concrete Finishers | 73100 | |
| Construction Trades Helpers and labourers | 75110 | |
| Crane Operators | 72500 | |
| Engineering Managers | 20010 | |
| Ironworkers | 72105 | |
| Labourers in food and beverage processing | 95106 | |
| Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing | 94140 | |
| Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale | 65202 | |
| Sales & Services | Chefs | 62200 |
| Food Service Supervisors | 62020 |
Allocation Structure and Industry Caps
Claresholm has been granted a total of 30 nomination slots for the year 2025. In a bid to manage demand effectively and ensure fairness, the town has opted to distribute three slots per month. Unused spots from earlier months will be carried forward and disbursed toward the year-end.
To further balance intake across sectors, Claresholm has imposed a cap of five total nominations for applicants in the Sales and Services sector for the year.
Requirements for Applicants
To qualify under Claresholm’s RCIP stream, foreign nationals must receive a job offer for one of the approved occupations from an employer that has obtained RCIP designation. Crucially, only businesses within the announced priority sectors are eligible to be designated, creating a direct link between community needs and immigration approvals.
Besides securing a valid job offer, candidates must also fulfill federal immigration requirements, including:
- Relevant work experience in the nominated occupation
- Minimum language proficiency (based on NOC classification)
- Educational credentials
- Adequate settlement funds
Broader RCIP Objectives and National Outlook
The RCIP was launched in 2025 as a five-year federal immigration experiment designed to empower rural regions to fill labour gaps, sustain local industries, and reverse demographic decline. Unlike traditional immigration programs, RCIP decentralizes the selection process, giving communities a voice in nominating the workers they most urgently need.
Other towns and cities currently active in the RCIP and its sister initiative, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), include:
- Timmins
- Brandon
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Thunder Bay
- North Okanagan-Shuswap
- North Bay
With 14 communities on board so far, more local governments are expected to publish their sectoral priorities and designated employer lists in the coming months.
Conclusion
Claresholm’s participation in the RCIP reflects a growing trend among smaller Canadian towns to leverage immigration as a tool for sustainable economic growth. By clearly defining occupational needs and prioritizing long-term integration, the community is positioning itself as an attractive destination for skilled newcomers seeking a pathway to permanent residence in Canada.
