Moncton area seeks to import 700 skilled American workers

The economic development corporation of Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview has launched a campaign to try and bring skilled workers from the United Statesto New Brunswick.

The 3+ Corporation hopes to attract Americans to fill 700 job vacancies in the Moncton region.

"We want to attract companies to settle here and we need to have enough skilled workers to ensure productivity. It's that simple," president and CEO EricMouranttold Radio-Canada.

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The campaign began on Dec.1 and will run until March, with advertisements on social and traditional media.

The first ad shows the fictional Uncle Sam with a Canadian flag in the background, with a message thatreads: "Greater Moncton, New Brunswick, Wants You!"

It's directed at American citizens, but also expatriates of all nationalities, including Canadians currently working south of the border.

Bilingualism not required

The vacant jobs are in the fields of trucking, information technology, health, business and financial services.

"We were aware that several of our key industries in greater Moncton were lacking labour or labour with expertise and experience," said Mourant.

The timing is also right, he said, considering many American workers expressed an interest in leaving the U.S. for Canada following the election of Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as president in the new year.

Opportunities New Brunswick will also partner with 3+ to hold job fairs in the U.S.

Atlanta, New York and California are specifically being targeted.

"With the province, barriers to immigration are kept to a minimum to allow workers with the necessary experience and expertise to settle in Canada ... within a very reasonable time frame," said Mourant.

He also said the positions that are available are not considered bilingual, so not being able to speak French won't be an issue.

"Hopefully, among the 325 million citizens in the U.S., we'll be able to find the 700 employees that we're looking for," Mourant said.