Claresholm Names Priority Sectors and Jobs for New PR Program
The small Alberta town of Claresholm has announced which industries and jobs will be given priority under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).
Claresholm, located in southern Alberta, is part of this federal program, along with nearby areas like Granum and Stavely (within a 25 km boundary).
The RCIP is employer-driven, meaning foreign workers need two things to qualify:
✅ a valid job offer from a designated employer in the community
✅ an official endorsement from the community itself
Every RCIP community can select five priority sectors to focus on — Claresholm has now shared its list for 2025.
Claresholm’s Priority Sectors and Jobs
Here’s the breakdown:
| Sector | Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Specialized Livestock Workers, Farm Machinery Operators | 84120 |
| Health Care | Cooks, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse Aides, Registered Nurses | 63200, 32101, 33102, 31301 |
| Law & Education | Admin Officers, Early Childhood Educators, School Assistants, Pilots | 13100, 42202, 43100, 72600 |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | Admin Assistants, Aerospace Engineers, Aircraft Mechanics, Carpenters, Concrete Finishers, Crane Operators, Engineering Managers, Ironworkers, Meat Cutters, Food Process Operators | 13110, 21390, 72404, 72310, 73100, 72500, 20010, 72105, 65202, 94140 |
| Sales & Services | Chefs, Food Service Supervisors | 62200, 62020 |
In total, Claresholm has 30 spots available under the RCIP for 2025. To manage this, they plan to approve 3 applications each month — with any leftover spots given out at the year’s end.
There’s also a limit: only five slots will go to jobs in the Sales and Service sector.
Why These Priority Sectors Matter
To qualify for the RCIP, you must have a job offer in one of these approved occupations — from a designated employer.
Only employers working in these priority sectors can get RCIP designation. So, if you’re hoping to immigrate through this program, your first step is to secure a job from a business that’s already approved or will apply for designation under these categories.
In addition to the job offer, applicants need to meet general requirements around work experience, language ability, education, and proof of settlement funds.
About the Rural Community Immigration Pilot
The RCIP is a five-year pilot program launched by Canada’s federal government in 2025. Its goal is to help smaller communities fill labour shortages by welcoming skilled foreign workers.
Canada often tests such immigration pilots to meet local job market needs. If successful, these pilots can later become permanent immigration streams.
Other communities already sharing their priority sectors include:
- Timmins
- Brandon
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Thunder Bay
- North Okanagan-Shuswap
- North Bay
Altogether, 14 Canadian communities are part of the RCIP, and more are expected to announce their sectors and employer lists soon.
👉 BooK Your Canadian immigration Consultation with The Immigration Professional to learn how you can qualify for Claresholm’s RCIP or other Canadian PR programs.
