Introduction to the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) for employers. Learn how to support and hire a diverse and skilled workforce.

1. TITLE SLIDE:
CLICK TO EDIT
April 19, 2021
ATLANTIC
IMMIGRATION
PILOT (AIP):
INFORMATION
SESSION FOR
EMPLOYERS
Samira Wahhab, Coordinator, Employer Engagement (AIP)
swahhab@isans.ca

2. Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are on unceded, traditional
Mi’kmaq territory, and we are grateful for the peace
and friendship treaties.
At ISANS, as we work to settle newcomers to Nova
Scotia, we honour and respect the Indigenous people
of this land.

3. Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Vision
A community where all can belong
and grow
Mission
Helping immigrants build a future in
Nova Scotia

4. Who We Are
• 10,636 clients served last year
• 4,423 new clients
• 424 government-assisted and privately
sponsored refugees served
• 100+ Nova Scotian communities served
• 300+ qualified staff
• 64 countries of staff origin
• 73 languages spoken by staff
• 746 active volunteers (33,507 volunteer hrs.)
• Staff who are dedicated, diverse,
highly professional, qualified,
and experienced in their field
• Serving immigrants for over 37
years
• Connecting immigrants with
employers
• Connecting immigrants with the
community

5. Outline
• Brief overview of AIP
• Working with ISANS:
The Process
• Potential challenges
• Services available to
support employers

6. Benefits of Hiring Immigrants
• Bring international expertise
• Often speak several languages
• Willing to listen, learn, and share
• Serious and committed
• Maintain professional conduct
• Flexible and innovative
• Readily adaptable to changing
environments and circumstances

7. What is AIP?
AIP is an opportunity for employers to hire talented immigrants within a
realistic timeframe, while accessing services from immigrant settlement
service providers.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot:
• Addresses the labour gaps of employers in the Atlantic provinces
• Provides a pathway for skilled workers and international graduates (must
be post-graduate with credentials in hand) who want to live permanently
in Atlantic Canada

8. What is AIP?
Atlantic Immigration Pilot:
• Employers in the healthcare sector will be able to hire
internationally trained nurses to work as continuing-care and
home-care support workers
• Since May 1, 2019, IRCC requires that applicants meet the
language, education, and work experience requirements of AIP
prior to being approved for a work permit
• Gives employees access to immigrant settlement support
• Gives employers information and supports

9. Who is AIP for?
AIP is for employers who:
• Have a labour gap and have had their last job posting up to four
weeks
• Can provide information on their labour needs to the Nova
Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSOI)
• Have a business operating in good standing for a minimum of
two years
• Can commit to working with an immigrant settlement service
provider (such as ISANS) on settlement and retention

10. AIP Process

11. Employer Commitment to Settlement Support
Under AIP, employers have a role in the settlement and
retention of employees and their families.
Employers commit to:
• Contact an immigrant settlement service provider to learn
about settlement services
• Support newcomers’ access to settlement services
• Foster a welcoming workplace

12. Other Settlement Service Providers in Nova Scotia
The following organizations also provide settlement plans for AIP
candidates in Nova Scotia (post-arrival):
• YMCA outside Halifax
• New Dawn Enterprises Cape Breton
• African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes
• Antigonish Women's Resource Centre
• Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (pre-arrival & post-arrival)

13. AIP Process at ISANS
1. Employer contacts Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSOI)
2. Employer contacts immigrant settlement agency (e.g. ISANS)
Job
Offer
Employee Registers
Refer Employee to
ISANS
Referrals to
Services
Employee Books Appointment
Needs Assessment
at ISANS
Settlement Plan
Employers and employees
use ISANS services
Retention
Employer helps implement
settlement plan

14. Job Offer & Referral to ISANS
Job
Offer
Employee Registers
Refer Employee to
ISANS
Job Offer
• Employer provides employee with signed Employment
Offer Form (IMM5650)
• Employer provides employee with a copy of the
Confirmation of Designation Letter from NSOI
Refer Employee to ISANS
• Employer refers employee to ISANS online registration:
https://aipp.isans.ca

15. Job Offer & Referral to ISANS
Job
Offer
Employee Registers
Refer Employee to
ISANS
Employee Registers
• Employee registers and uploads a copy of the designation
letter and a copy of offer of employment signed by both
employer and employee

16. Needs Assessment & Settlement Plan
Employee Books Appointment
• Employee books online for needs assessment
• In Canada, interview in person at ISANS
• If pre-arrival, interview by phone or via web conference
Needs Assessment at ISANS
• ISANS staff assess settlement needs for employee
and family
• ISANS staff inform employee of pre-arrival and post-arrival
supports
Referrals to
Services
Employee Books Appointment
Needs Assessment
at ISANS
Settlement Plan

17. Needs Assessment & Settlement Plan
Settlement Plan
• ISANS emails settlement plan to employee
• Employee signs the settlement plan and forwards
to employer
• Employer attaches a copy of plan with their endorsement
application to the province
• ISANS staff inform employee of external and
internal referrals
• Settlement plan is to be used by the applicant and
their adult family members
Referrals to
Services
Employee Books Appointment
Needs Assessment
at ISANS
Settlement Plan

18. Settlement & Integration
1. Employers and employees use ISANS services
2. Employer helps implement settlement plan
3. Integration
• Integration takes time and happens long-term
• Integration leads to retention
Employers and employees
use ISANS services
Retention
Employer helps to implement
settlement plan

19. Arrival Priorities for Employers
• Accommodation
• Transport from the airport
• Explain what to do in an emergency (medical,
fire, etc.)
• Refer employees to ISANS or other nearby
immigrant settlement service provider for
further settlement support

20. Employers Refer Employees to ISANS
Employer tells employee to:
• Call ISANS at 902-423-3607 to make an intake (registration)
appointment
• On that call, identify themselves as part of AIP
• Go to ISANS with whole family
• Go to ISANS with all their documentation, including letter of offer,
settlement plan, landing papers, etc.

21. Next Steps for Employers
Help employees with:
• Applying for MSI, SIN, GST, Canada Child Benefit, etc.
• Opening a bank account
• Registering children in school (if applicable) and applying for childcare
• Finding a family doctor, dentist, optometrist

22. Additional Steps for Employers
Employers can:
• Create check-ins with newcomer employees
• Be aware of workplace cultural issues
• Encourage employees and their families to
use their settlement plan and use services
available to them
• Recognize that integration takes time

23. Potential Challenges for Employees
• Language and communication barriers
• Social isolation and lack of personal networks
• Family stress from separation (e.g., when worker arrives before
the rest of the family)
• Lack of employment opportunities for spouses
• Stereotypes and biases
• Cultural differences
• Stress from culture shock

24. ISANS Settlement Services for Employees
• Post-arrival re-assessment of needs
• Orientation to Nova Scotia program with information
about housing, recreation, the law, transportation, etc.
• Referral for English assessment
• Language courses for employee and family
• Pre-employment services for spouses and dependents
over 18 years
• Community connections https://www.isans.ca/connect-
with-community/

25. Potential Challenges for Employers
• Communication barriers
• Other employees who have little experience working with
immigrant employees
• A lack of knowledge about support services available
• Limited capacity to assist immigrant employees, e.g. language
skills
• Cultural differences

26. ISANS Services for Employers
• 4 Regionally Focused Employer Engagers
• Job postings
• Qualified candidate referrals
• SkillsMatch Online recruitment tool
• Onsite /Online Recruitment and Information
Sessions (ORIS)
Our general employer support services include:
• Professional Practice Program
• Professional Mentorship Program
• Workplace Culture Program
• Bridging Programs
• Language training (e.g. English in the
Workplace)
More Information at: Diversify your Workforce www.isans.ca/employer-support

27. English in the Workplace (EWP)
• EWP is a 12-week, English-language training program for
immigrant employees, helping with on-the-job language skills
• Two 90-minute sessions per week; customized to the
employee’s workplace needs by a qualified EAL instructor
• Delivered in the workplace or by distance
For information contact:
Language Services Administration | lsadministration@isans.ca | 902-406-8737

28. ISANS Workplace Culture Program
Online and on-site services Include:
• Presentations
• Discussion Series
• Lunch and Learns
• Live Webinars
• Employer Assessment Tools
• Consultations and HR Support
Get more information: Paul Pickering, Coordinator I ppickering@isans.ca I www.isans.ca/workplace-culture
Webinar and workshop topics include:
• Benefits of a Diverse Workplace
• Leveraging your Workplace Culture
• Building an Intercultural Workplace Culture
• Intercultural Conflict Resolution
• Making your Workplace More Welcoming
• Intercultural Leadership Excellence

29. Support for Regulated Occupations
45% of immigrants arriving to Nova Scotia are in regulated occupations.
Information about regulated occupations and occupation-specific bridging programs
available at ISANS:
• Regulated Occupations Pathways to Licensure
• Work-based Trades Practical Assessment
• Regulated Professions Bridging Programs

30. Halifax Partnership Account Executive Role
• Focused on building awareness of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot
• Identifying and connecting employers to the Nova Scotia Office of
Immigration and Population Growth for the support required to
become a designated employer under the pilot
www.HalifaxPartnership.com

31. Employer Engagement Team
• Collaborating with local organizations
• Identifying targeted ISANS services
• Providing access to training & resources
• Referring immigrant questions to the broader ISANS team
• Delivering monthly virtual information Sessions on
 Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)
 ISANS Employers Services
Working directly with employers, and building capacity to hire and retain immigrants.

33. Mobile Onboarding Employer Engagement Team
• Central Region (Annapolis, Kings, Hants)
James Rumble
Email: jrumble@isans.ca
• Northern/Eastern Region (Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough)
Cliff MacDonald
Email: cbmacdonald@isans.ca

34. Mobile Onboarding Employer Engagement Team
• South Shore Region (Queens, Lunenburg, HRM to Hubbards)
Fay Patey
Email: fpatey@isans.ca
• Western Region (Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby)
Karla LeBlanc
Email: kleblanc@isans.ca

35. Employer Engagers
Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)
Samira Wahhab
Email: swahhab@isans.ca
HRM, ORIS and SkillsMatch
Kyle Turner
Email: kturner@isans.ca

36. Federal Support for Designated Employers
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s Dedicated Service Channel provides
designated employers with direct guidance and support to help them through the
immigration process.
Designated employers that access the service are assigned an Account Manager that will
provide them with personalized client service.

37. Federal Support for Designated Employers
Services Offered
• Clarify next steps and provide
strategies for success
• System navigation tips
• Case-specific information with
proper authorization
Services Not Offered
• Process and/or expedite applications
• Influence the outcome of an application
• Exemptions from processes and fees

38. Technical Questions
ISANS is an immigrant settlement service provider that offers programs in Halifax and across
Nova Scotia to support AIP employers.
For technical questions about AIP, please go to:
• Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSOI)
www.novascotiaimmigration.com/help-for-employers/atlantic-immigration-pilot
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/atlantic
• The reference section at the end of this presentation

39. Important Updates as of October 2018
• With growing interest in the program, all four Atlantic provinces have received a
Freedom of Information request to release the names of designated employers
• On October 11, 2018, an alphabetical list of all designated employers was posted
online at novascotiaimmigration.com/AIP

40. Important Updates as of October 2018
• Designated employers’ business names are also included on this list
• Pilot has been extended by 2 years, to December 2021
• If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Employer Support Team at Nova
Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSOI) at 902-424-5230 or
immigration@novascotia.ca

41. References
How the Atlantic Immigration Pilot works:
1. The Employer Designation Process
• EN: https://youtu.be/DdX1GLpKnHw
• FR: https://youtu.be/-faYzgB7-AQ
2. Applicant Endorsement
• EN: https://youtu.be/NOv4qMpv_1w
• FR: https://youtu.be/bh6Oq5982a4
IRCC Videos explaining the Atlantic Immigration Pilot
3. Immigration Application and Post-Arrival Support
• EN: https://youtu.be/9S0wbK7Dr9A
• FR: https://youtu.be/AShVXzDNskM

42. Employer Support Services Video
Employer Support Services Video

43. Questions?
THANK YOU!