Rural Renewal Stream Process

Home > RRS Process

Rural Renewal Stream Process

Home > RRS Process

Introduction:

Are you looking for a small town with big opportunities in Alberta? Look no further than Olds!!
Located in the heart of central Alberta, Olds is a vibrant, welcoming, and close-knit community that offers a range of opportunities for those seeking a new start. We are proud to be a designated community under the Rural Renewal Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, offering eligible foreign workers the opportunity to immigrate to Alberta as a provincial nominee with the formal support of our municipal government.

The Rural Renewal Stream allows the Town of Olds to assist its businesses fill ongoing labour gaps by enabling local employers who recruit foreign job seekers to apply for community endorsement to fast-track immigration for eligible candidates.
Come join us in this friendly and welcoming community and experience all that Olds has to offer. From its scenic countryside to its thriving economy and diverse culture, Olds is the perfect place for those who seek opportunities and a high quality of life in Alberta.

Key Information: Employers

To qualify for the Rural Renewal Stream (RRS), employers must meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

  • The company must be incorporated, or registered by or under, an act of the legislature of a province, territory, or the Parliament of Canada and operate as a business that has an established production capability, plant, or place of business in Alberta
  • Have full-time employment (continuous, 12 months or more) that meets the criteria of the Rural Renewal Stream as defined by the Government of Alberta and the Community Partnership, including wages and benefits that meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for this occupation across all industries and Alberta as set out on the ALIS website
  •  Have a valid Town of Olds Business License Number
  • Not been documented for any violations through Alberta Health Services in the last 12 months (Restaurant and Food Services only)
  • Not have any Occupational Health & Safety complaints within the last 12 months
  • Meet all eligibility criteria under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Rural Renewal Stream prior to issuing an offer of employment. Please review the available information carefully

Ineligible Occupations

Some occupations and job offers are not eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream. These occupations and offers are defined by the Government of Alberta.

  • Legislators
  • Escort agency managers, massage parlor managers
  •  Judges
  • Authors and writers (except technical)
  • Musicians and singers
  • Justices of the Peace
  • Actors, comedians, and circus performers
  •  Painters, sculptors, and other visual artists
  • Artisans and craftspersons
  • Athletes
  • Dental Laboratory bench workers
  •  Home childcare providers
  •  Home support workers, caregivers, and related occupations
  •  Casino Occupations
  • Other performers
  • Other support occupations in personal services
  • Harvesting Labourers

Ineligible Job Offers

The following individuals are not eligible to apply for or be nominated under the Rural Renewal Stream, even if they have a job offer to work 30 hours a week or more in a 12-month period:

  •  part-time, casual, or seasonal employees, regardless of their working hours
  • independent contractors, business owners or temporary agency workers, including individuals listed as directors, shareholders, or agents of the Alberta employer on the Corporate Registry System (CORES)
  • employees who work in Alberta in a place of employment that is not zoned for commercial or industrial operations, such as a home-based business
  • employees who do not work on premises in Alberta, such as those who work in a ‘virtual’ location or serve the employer by telecommuting from a location outside Alberta

Support Resources

Employers are required to demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities of welcoming newcomers and providing a warm and welcoming environment. The following are resources that prospective employers are encouraged to review prior to submitting an application.

A Safe and Welcoming Workplace

A safe and welcoming workplace creates an environment where all employees are valued, included, treated with respect, and reasonably free from physical and psychological danger. A safe and welcoming workplace can be created by:

  • Including appropriate onboarding and training, establishing policies and procedures that clearly outline the company’s culture and values, defining performance expectations, and providing equitable opportunities for professional growth and/or advancement.
  • Maintaining a work environment that prohibits all forms of harassment, discrimination, and racism by ensuring that effective policies are in place both for reporting and
    responding to any incidents that may occur.
  • Recognizing that newcomers may require additional levels of support upon arrival, such as language or skill building, a community orientation, and/or a mentorship program, that help to set newcomers up for successful integration into the workplace and community.
    For more information on safe and welcoming workplaces, visit alis.ca.

Key Information: Candidates

To qualify for the Rural Renewal Stream, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the Rural Renewal Stream and work in the Town of Olds, candidates must meet a series of criteria, receive an offer for a full-time, permanent position from an eligible employer, get endorsed by the Olds Rural Renewal Partnership, and apply using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. Prior to applying for an employment opportunity, candidates are encouraged to review, understand and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. There are requirements for:
- Job Experience
- Education
- Language
- Financial Security Candidates are responsible for ensuring they meet the eligibility criteria of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Rural Renewal Stream. Your application will be declined if you do not meet the criteria. Submission of an application or nomination by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program does not guarantee you will be issued a permanent resident visa. Those who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not progress through the program. Candidates that are currently living in Canada are only eligible if they have valid temporary status in Canada. Once a candidate is confident they meet the eligibility requirements, they may apply for employment.

 

Candidates must receive a job offer from an employer who is based within the Town of Olds and has been approved by the Town under its Rural Renewal Stream Partnership.

Job Offer Requirements

At the time your application is submitted and at the time the AAIP assesses your application, you must have a bona fide full-time job offer or employment contract from an Alberta employer to work in an eligible occupation in the Town of Olds.

 

Your Alberta employer must be incorporated, or registered by or under, an act of the legislature of a province, territory, or the Parliament of Canada and operating as a business that has an established production capability, plant or place of business in Alberta. Your job offer or employment contract must be signed by you and your Alberta employer, and must offer:
- Continuous, paid work in the Town of Olds
- Full-time work, defined as a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Employment for 12 months or more
- Wages and benefits that meet or exceed the lowest starting wage for
your occupation across all industries in Alberta as set out on the Alis website.

Application Process

The Town of Olds is a member of the Innisfail Rural Renewal Stream Community Partnership.

Step 1: Employer Applies to Partnership

Complete and submit your Olds Rural Renewal Stream Employer Application form here.

Step 2: Application Review

Applications will require a 30-day review period.


The Town of Olds’ Economic Development Officer reviews the application to establish the employer’s eligibility to participate in the Rural Renewal Stream program. This may include an interview with the employer.


Please Note: Candidates are responsible to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Rural Renewal Stream prior to submitting a job application to an employer.

Step 3: Endorsement Letter Request

The Town of Olds advises the Innisfail RRS Community Partnership it has an eligible application and recommends an Endorsement of Candidate Letter be issued.

Please Note: The Innisfail Community Partnership must support the Town of Olds recommendation for a Letter of Candidate Endorsement to be issued. The Town of Olds cannot issue a letter without Community Partnership approval.

Step 4: Endorsement Letter Issued

The Innisfail RRS Community Partnership and the Town of Olds issue a joint Endorsement of Candidate Letter directly to the eligible candidate identified by the employer on their application form.

Step 5: Candidate Applies for Provincial Nomination

Candidate applies for provincial nomination through the Alberta Advantage Immigration
Program portal to receive a 204C letter from the Government of Alberta.

Resources: Directory for Newcomers

Emergencies (Fire, Police, Ambulance)

  • Phone: 911

Child, Youth and Family Programming

Driver’s License

Education

  • Public
    o Pre-Kindergarten- Grade 4
    - École Olds Elementary School
    - 5413 - 53 Street Olds, AB
    - 403-556-8477
    - www.oldselementary.ca
    o Grades 5-8
    - École Deer Meadow School
    - 5411 - 61 Avenue Olds, AB
    - 403-556-1003
    - www.deermeadow.ca
    o Grades 9-12
    - École Olds High School
    - 4500 - 50 Street Olds, AB
    - 403-556-3391
    - www.oldshigh.ca
  • Catholic
    o Pre-Kindergarten- Grade 8
    - Holy Trinity Catholic School

          - 6610 - 57 Street Olds, AB

          - 403-556-9444

          -www.holytrinitycatholic.ca

Employment

Family and Community Support Services

  • Social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities (Volunteering, Great Neighbours program, seniors programming etc.)
    o  (403) 556-6981 
    o [email protected]
    o https://www.olds.ca/fcss

Food Bank

General Information

  • Phone: 211 (Interpretation Available)

Health

           o In-person: Airdrie Registry
           o 128 Edmonton Trail NE Airdrie, Alberta 
           o 403-948-6018 
           o https://www.airdrieregistry.com/

Library

Settlement Support Services

FAQ: RRS Program

Is the program open to candidates who are already residing in Canada?

Yes, provided the candidate is here with valid temporary status.

Does an eligible candidate already residing in Canada need to be employed by their current employer for a year before being nominated by that employer?

No.  They can have been working for anyone, so long as the total of their experience meets the RRS
Program criteria.

What are some job posting site options for employers looking to advertise online and/or research information to assist with their Labour Gap Analysis?
Can Invest Olds or the Innisfail RRS Community Partnership answer specific immigration questions regarding applications or candidates?

No. Up-to-date information on the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program and the Rural Renewal
Stream program, including candidate eligibility, document requirements, and more can be found on the
provincial website.

Am I able to contact AAIP by phone?

Yes. AAIP Phone number is 780.644.7534. AAIP staff will respond to program inquiries and provide clarity on processes for clients.

Olds' Human Capital Advantage: A Competitive Edge for Businesses

Building a Stronger Workforce: The Power of Human Capital