Pictou County has announced the sectors and occupations it will prioritize for permanent residence (PR) under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in 2026.
Located in northern Nova Scotia along the Northumberland Strait, Pictou County has added a new sector and 14 occupations to its priority list this year.
To qualify for PR through the RCIP, foreign nationals need a qualifying job offer from a designated employer in Pictou County within an eligible sector and occupation.
Pictou County’s designated RCIP area includes Pictou Landing First Nation, the Municipality of Pictou County, and towns like New Glasgow, Pictou, Stellarton, Trenton, and Westville.
This article outlines the sectors and occupations prioritized in 2026 and provides insights on how individuals can be considered for selection under the RCIP by Pictou County.
Priority Sectors for 2026
This year, Pictou County has identified six priority sectors under the RCIP, an increase from the five sectors prioritized last year. The sectors for 2026 are:
- Business, finance, and administration
- Health
- Sales and service
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators
- Manufacturing
- Education, law, and social, community, and government services
Pictou County’s sector priorities for 2026 align with its approach in 2025, with the addition of Education, law, and social, community, and government services being the only change.
Priority Occupations for 2026
Pictou County is focusing on workers in 25 occupations for selection this year. The occupations highlighted below are the new priority additions for 2026:
| Occupation | NOC code |
|---|---|
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | 12200 |
| Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators | 72411 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers | 72410 |
| Bakers | 63202 |