Manitoba employers in all sectors can now support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trades professions, under Manitoba’s Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP).
Sector-exempt occupations
| Occupation title | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Equipment Technician | 72401 |
| Auto Body and Collision Technician | 73202 |
| Automotive Refinishing Technician | 73202 |
| Automotive Service Technician | 72410 |
| Boilermaker | 72304 |
| Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | 72401 |
| Instrumentation and Control Technician | 72201 |
| Landscape Horticulturalist | 22114 |
| Parts Technician | 72410 |
| Recreation Vehicle Service Technician | 72410 |
| Transport Trailer Technician | 72410 |
| Truck and Transport Mechanic | 72410 |
| Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson | 72404 |
| Diesel Engine Mechanic | 72410 |
| Railway Car Technician | 72403 |
| Water and Wastewater Technician | 22101 |
Prior to this change, employers had to be in one of the eligible sectors in order to support work permit extensions, regardless of the employee’s occupation.
Manitoba has also removed Hospitality and Food Services from the list of eligible sectors, so the eligible sectors are now limited to
- Agriculture;
- Construction and trades;
- Information Technology;
- Food processing;
- Education;
- Healthcare; and
- Manufacturing.
Applications from Hospitality and Food services employers received after February 4, 2026 will not be accepted, unless for an exempt occupation.
The TRRP is an employer-driven work permit program. Under the TRRP, businesses can support their employees’ work permit extensions by applying on their behalf in as little as 60 days.
The TRRP does not require employers to advertise the position or to obtain a labour market impact assessment (LMIA), making TRRP work permits more accessible than those issued through the government.