Rice Alcantara @Questjobs By Rice Alcantara @Questjobs · Oct 29, 2025

AIP New Brunswick Analysis , Jobs , 15 Biggest Employers and Preparation for 2026

AIP New Brunswick Analysis , Jobs , 15 Biggest Employers and Preparation for 2026
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Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) – New Brunswick 2025 Update

Key Stats and Summary

  • Total Designated Employers: 412 companies are currently designated under the AIP in New Brunswick 

  • Program Status: AIP NB closed for new applications in April 2025 but is expected to reopen in early 2026.

  • Top Sectors:

    • Healthcare & Social Services (27%)

    • Construction & Trades (22%)

    • Retail, Hospitality & Food (18%)

    • Manufacturing & Processing (15%)

    • Transportation & Logistics (9%)

    • IT & Professional Services (9%)

What This Means: Now is the perfect time to research designated employers, build connections, and prepare your documents (language tests, proof of funds, credentials) so you can be first in line when AIP New Brunswick reopens in 2026.

Top 15 Designated Employers in New Brunswick (AIP)

# Company Sector Website
1 Irving Oil Ltd. Energy & Petroleum

www.irvingoil.com

2 J.D. Irving Limited Forestry & Manufacturing

www.jdirving.com

3 Horizon Health Network Healthcare

www.horizonnb.ca

4 Vitalité Health Network Healthcare

www.vitalitenb.ca

5 Ganong Bros. Limited Manufacturing 

www.ganong.com

6 McCain Foods Ltd. Food Processing

www.mccain.com

7 Cooke Aquaculture Inc. Aquaculture

www.cookeseafood.com

8 AV Group NB Inc. Forestry / Pulp and Paper

www.avgroupnb.com

9 Service New Brunswick (SNB) Public Administration

www.snb.ca

10 University of New Brunswick (UNB) Education

www.unb.ca

11 Mount Allison University Education

www.mta.ca

12 Shannex Inc. Senior Care / Healthcare

www.shannex.com

13 NB Power Energy / Utilities

www.nbpower.com

14 Kent Building Supplies Retail / Construction Materials

www.kent.ca

15 Cooke Transportation Group Transportation

www.cookeseafood.com

These companies stand out for their scale, national presence, and consistent use of the AIP to fill critical positions for skilled workers and international graduates seeking PR.

NB PNP Jobs

Carpenter | Strescon | https://questjobs.io/pr-pathway/nb-skilled-worker-experience-pathway/carpentercarpenter-3

Lab Technician | Richelieu Hardware | https://questjobs.io/pr-pathway/nb-skilled-worker-experience-pathway/coatings-lab-technician-coatings-lab-technician-with-verification

Massage Therapist | CBI Health | https://questjobs.io/pr-pathway/nb-skilled-worker-experience-pathway/registered-massage-therapist-registered-massage-therapist-with-verification-2

Equipment Technician | Brandt Group | https://questjobs.io/pr-pathway/nb-skilled-worker-experience-pathway/resident-heavy-equipment-technicianresident-heavy-equipment-technician

Sector Breakdown and Insights

1. Healthcare & Social Services
This remains the single largest employer group in AIP NB — spanning hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community services. New Brunswick has a province-wide need for Registered Nurses (NOC 31301), Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101), and Personal Support Workers (NOC 44101). These roles are among the most direct pathways to PR.

2. Construction & Skilled Trades
New Brunswick has recently experienced a record breaking issuance and application of building permits which suggests active construction and infrastructure industry. This is most palpable in the Moncton area. There are large-scale housing and infrastructure projects underway, trades occupations such as Carpenters (NOC 72310), Electricians (NOC 72410), and Heavy-Duty Mechanics (NOC 72401) are in high demand province-wide. Rural communities like Woodstock and Miramichi are especially reliant on AIP hires to fill labour gaps.

3. Retail, Hospitality & Food Services
Restaurants, cafés, and accommodations make up nearly a fifth of the list. While some positions are seasonal, AIP only recognizes employers offering full-time, non-seasonal employment, ensuring eligibility for PR.

4. Manufacturing & Processing
Food-processing and light manufacturing companies form a major pillar of the AIP ecosystem — a reflection of New Brunswick’s agri-industrial economy and export base.

5. Transportation & Professional Services
From trucking firms to IT consultancies and engineering services, New Brunswick continues to broaden its designation scope beyond blue-collar roles, making space for skilled professionals in IT, finance, and operations.

Preparing Now for 2026

The AIP New Brunswick stream may be temporarily closed, but momentum is already building for its 2026 reopening—making this the perfect time to prepare and position yourself for success. Start by researching and shortlisting 10–15 designated employers that match your skills and career goals. Use QuestJobs.io to explore active postings from these employers; the platform currently features more than 1,700 AIP-eligible jobs across Canada.

Next, make sure your documents are ready—language test results (minimum CLB 4 for most roles), proof of funds, credential assessments, and professional references. Focus your applications on non-seasonal, full-time positions, since only permanent roles qualify under the AIP. Finally, begin engaging with employers early; those who have already established contact and shown genuine interest will have a significant advantage once AIP New Brunswick reopens in 2026.