Pilots and aircraft assembly workers are among the first professionals to be invited by the Canadian government to take advantage of a new Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada policy designed to address labour shortages in the country. The move comes as That smaller Canadian airlines plan to add more than 50 planes to their fleets in the next two years, while Air Canada and WestJet are also bulking up.

Initially announced May 31, the Express Entry program this week introduced its first round of invitations, specifically targeting workers in the transportation sector.

The changes to the program through category-based selection are designed to invite candidates with specific work experience or French language ability to apply for permanent residence.

The government says the Express Entry system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in critical fields and prioritizes the invitation of skilled newcomers with work experience in transport occupations as Canada tries o meet the increasing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement.

Further category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, alongside general and program-specific invitation rounds.

“The transportation sector is crucial to our economy, and if we want to keep things moving, we need to invest in the people that move travellers and transport our goods,” says Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez.