- Pilot Program
Immigration to Rural and Francophone Communities (PPICF)
The Rural and Francophone Immigration Pilot Program is designed to attract and retain skilled Francophone immigrants to Kelowna. Its objective is to meet the needs of the local labour market while strengthening the economic and social vitality of the francophone community.
This program is for:
- Local employers looking to recruit bilingual Francophone talent.
- Workers seeking to establish themselves permanently in Kelowna.
Les avantages de ce programme :
A simplified process for immigrating and integrating.
Opportunities for stable employment and integration into a French-speaking community.
Support for employers in recruiting skilled talent.
Participate as a candidate
Questions about the program?
Submit your application (Form to be completed by candidates):
Eligibility criteria for candidates
- Sufficient level of French (Level 5 CLB).
- Recognition of a diploma equivalent or superior to a Canadian high school diploma.
- Work experience in an eligible profession.
- Wish to settle and work permanently in Kelowna.
- Have a bona fide job offer from a designated employer.
Application process
- Find a designated employer and obtain a job offer.
- Obtain a referral from the British Columbia Economic Development Corporation (SDÉCB).
- Submit an application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Participate as an employer
Eligibility criteria for employers
- Be designated by the SDÉCB.
- Offer permanent, non-seasonal employment.
- Support the integration of immigrant employees through cross-cultural and integration training.
Application process
- If you would like to become an employer designated by the SDÉCB, please contact Jessica Rogers - jrogers@sdecb.com (Contact only if you are an employer or represent an employer).
Designated employers
- Please do not contact designated employers directly; all recruitment must go through our dedicated page, otherwise no recommendation can be issued.
- Acera Insurance (not hiring at the moment)
- Brandt's Creek Pub (not hiring at the moment)
- Bubbles Drycleaner Inc (not hiring at the moment)
- Chevrolet Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- COBS Bread Governors Market (not hiring at the moment)
- De Dutch Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Devon Transport Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- Dragon King restaurant (not hiring at the moment)
- Growth Financial Corp dba Working Ventures Insurance Solutions (not hiring at the moment)
- Gateway casino and entertainment LTD (not hiring at the moment)
- Interior Health (not hiring at the moment)
- Qualicare (not hiring at the moment)
- Kelowna East Investments Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- London Drugs Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Noir Kitchen (not hiring at the moment)
- Ramada Hotel Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Sandman Hotel Group | The Sutton Place Hotels (not hiring at the moment)
- Smalka cellars LTD (not hiring at the moment)
- Source Electrical Services Ltd. (not hiring at the moment)
- Starwatch Audio Video (not hiring at the moment)
- Super 8 hotel West Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Tiara Doors & Moulding (not hiring at the moment)
- Trail Tire Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Valorous Construction Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- Westwood Cabinetry (not hiring at the moment)
- 1st place Auto-repairs (not hiring at the moment)
- Acera Insurance (not hiring at the moment)
- ARC Programs (not hiring at the moment)
- Argus Hospitality Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Best Western Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Big White Ski Resort (not hiring at the moment)
- Brandt’s Creek Pub (not hiring at the moment)
- Bubbles Car Wash (not hiring at the moment)
- Bubbles Drycleaner Inc (not hiring at the moment)
- Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan (not hiring at the moment)
- Chevrolet Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- COBS Bread Governors Market (not hiring at the moment)
- Day Star Wall Systems Inc (not hiring at the moment)
- De Dutch Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Devon Transport Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- Dragon King restaurant (not hiring at the moment)
- Fraser Valley Wireless (not hiring at the moment)
- Garderie des libellules (not hiring at the moment)
- Gateway casino and entertainment LTD (not hiring at the moment)
- Girlfriends Grow Bar (not hiring at the moment)
- Growth Financial Corp dba Working Ventures Insurance Solutions (not hiring at the moment)
- Heating & Air Conditionning (not hiring at the moment)
- Hôtel Ramada Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Interior Health (not hiring at the moment)
- Qualicare (not hiring at the moment)
- Kelowna East Investments Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- Kelowna Gospel Mission (not hiring at the moment)
- London Drugs Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Milani Plumbing (not hiring at the moment)
- Millwoods Cabinetery (not hiring at the moment)
- Noir Kitchen (not hiring at the moment)
- Oasis Inn (not hiring at the moment)
- Provincial Health Services Authority PHSA (not hiring at the moment)
- Sandman Hotel Group | The Sutton Place Hotels (not hiring at the moment)
- Smalka cellars LTD (not hiring at the moment)
- Source Electrical Services Ltd. (not hiring at the moment)
- Specialty Bakery Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Starwatch Audio Video (not hiring at the moment)
- Super 8 Hotel La Cintra Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Super 8 Hotel West Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Tiara Doors & Moulding (not hiring at the moment)
- Trail Tire Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
- Valorous Construction Ltd (not hiring at the moment)
- Westwood Cabinetry (not hiring at the moment)
- Xperience Kelowna (not hiring at the moment)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a designated employer?
A designated employer is a business or organization that has been approved by the Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDÉCB) to hire francophone workers under this pilot program.
What are the criteria for being a designated employer?
- Be a bona fide business that has been active in Kelowna for at least 2 years.
- Operate in a key sector identified as a priority by the SDECB.
- Offer permanent, full-time, non-seasonal employment.
- Comply with Canadian labor laws (employment standards, health and safety).
- Have taken intercultural and integration training.
- Be committed to helping newcomers integrate and settle into the community.
What is a genuine job offer?
A job offer must meet the following criteria:
- Be issued by a designated employer.
- Correspond to a real need in the Kelowna job market.
- Offer a salary in line with government scales and industry practices.
- Have conditions that meet Canadian employment and labour standards.
How do I get a genuine job offer?
- Step 1: Identify a designated employer from the list provided by the SDECB.
- Step 2: Apply and go through the company’s selection process.
- Step 3: Once hired, obtain an official letter of offer.
- Step 4: Your employer must present this offer to the SDECB to obtain a recommendation.
What happens if an employer loses its designation?
If a designated employer no longer meets the criteria, or if its designation is revoked:
- The candidate will have to find a new job offer with another designated employer.
- A new assessment will be required before immigration can proceed.
This process ensures that employers and candidates meet program standards, and that immigration contributes effectively to Kelowna’s labour market and francophone community.
Which professions are eligible?
Each year, the SDÉCB establishes a list of priority occupations that contribute to Kelowna’s economic development. These occupations may include, but are not limited to:
Occupations in demand (possible examples):
- Skilled trades: Electricians, plumbers, welders, industrial mechanics.
- Health care: Nurses, orderlies, personal care workers.
- Education: French-speaking teachers, early childhood educators.
- Information technology: Web developers, cybersecurity analysts.
- Business and management: Accountants, business managers, sales representatives.
- Tourism and hospitality: Chefs, restaurant managers, travel agents.
- Transport and logistics: Truck drivers (local delivery only), heavy machinery operators.
Note: The list of eligible occupations is updated annually by the SDÉCB. The Occupation list for 2026 is now available: 2026 Occupation list
For more information on the RCIP and FCIP programs, please visit IRCC Website.
Funded by:
