June 27, 2018
British Columbia’s Tech Pilot will continue for another year
The Government of British Columbia announced an update on its Tech Pilot, extending it until June 2019, cutting the number of in-demand occupations from 32 to 29 and reducing the duration of its required job offer, from a permanent full-time offer to a full-time offer of at least one year (365 days).
“British Columbia’s tech industry is growing rapidly, and tech companies need access to skilled workers to move their business forward and help grow B.C.’s economy,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
BC PNP office said the removal of three occupations from the list is based on feedback from tech sector employers. The three positions that were removed are:
- NOC 0113 — Purchasing Managers
- NOC 1123 — Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
- NOC 4163 — Business Development Officers and Marketing Research and Consultants
The BC PNP Tech Pilot was introduced in August 2017 and since then, it has helped tech companies attract and retain employees talented. Growing IT companies in Vancouver region is driving the growth in housing sector as well.
The updated list of Eligible Occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot is below:
Eligible Occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot
| NOC | Job Title |
|---|---|
| 0131 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 0512 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 2131 | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | Chemical engineers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2221 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 2243 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5125 | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
| 5224 | Broadcast technicians |
| 5225 | Audio and video recording technicians |
| 5226 | Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
| 5227 | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
| 5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
