The provincial government has launched the first phase of a program to match newcomers to the province with full time employment.

The program is aimed at qualified people who are looking to immigrate to the province permanently. It comes in response to numerous businesses who say they can’t find qualified candidates locally to fill vacant positions.

As of now, employers can visit the provincial government’s website and register with information about their job vacancies.

Then, beginning next Wednesday newcomers who qualify can register online to be matched with an employer.

Employers can submit their information on an ongoing basis, but calls will be made for immigrants to submit their information. The deadline for newcomers when registration opens next week is October 13.

The Yellowbelly Brewery in downtown St. John’s is an established employer of newcomers, and has been designated under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program since 2017.

According to owner Craig Flynn, the need for qualified workers is at “the highest level it’s ever been,” and says the industry is desperate for workers.

Flynn says they’re already working on bringing in newcomers to fill positions for next summer.

He says they are brining people in from all over, calling immigration the “light at the end of the tunnel” for his business.