AIP Newfoundland and Labrador — Employers Analyzed & Job Recommendations (2025)

Key stats 

1.Designated employers : 580 total

2. Top sectors by number of designated employers: Food, Service, Retail, Homecare, Hospitality, Healthcare, Education.

3. 2025 NLPNP allocation: 2,050 nomination spaces (confirmed by NL Government). 

4. Remaining spaces (late August 2025): 375 NLPNP and 101 AIP spaces left 

5. As per QuestJobs data, currently there are 1,081 AIP jobs across all four provinces of NS, NB, NL and PEI. 

 

Top 20 Biggest AIP-Designated Employers in Newfoundland & Labrador (2025)

1. Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

• Sector: Healthcare / Public Sector

• Employees: ~20,000+ (merger of four regional health authorities: Eastern, Central, Western, Labrador-Grenfell, 2023)

• About: The single largest employer in the province. Operates hospitals, community care, and specialty services across NL. Always in demand for nurses, personal care attendants, lab techs, and doctors.

2. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

• Sector: Government / Public Administration

• Employees: ~9,000+ provincial employees across multiple departments

• About: Covers education, digital government, policing (RNC), social services, etc. Most hiring goes through public competitions (Service NL, OCIO, CSSD).

3. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)

• Sector: Education / Research

• Employees: ~3,500+ staff and faculty; ~18,000 students

• About: Atlantic Canada’s largest university. Jobs range from faculty, admin, and IT, to support staff.

4. PAL Group (PAL Aerospace / PAL Airlines)

• Sector: Aviation / Aerospace

• Employees: ~1,200+ combined

• About: Provides surveillance aircraft services worldwide and regional airline routes in Atlantic Canada. Common roles: pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, dispatchers, and customer service agents.

5. Walmart Canada (NL Locations)

• Sector: Retail

• Employees: ~1,000+ across NL stores

• About: Big-box retail chain with multiple locations in NL. High turnover but consistent hiring for cashiers, associates, and supervisors.

6. J.D. Irving / Kent Building Supplies

• Sector: Retail / Construction Supply

• Employees: Irving Group overall 16,000+; Kent Building Supplies ~3,000+ in Atlantic Canada, several NL branches

• About: One of the Maritimes’ biggest private employers. NL roles: store clerks, yard workers, drivers, and managers.

7. The Cahill Group

• Sector: Construction / Engineering

• Employees: ~1,500+

• About: NL-based heavy industrial construction firm. Involved in energy, oil & gas, and civil projects. Hires engineers, tradespeople, project managers, and skilled labour.

8. CIMA+ (CIMA Canada Inc.)

• Sector: Engineering / Consulting

• Employees: ~2,800+ nationwide; ~100+ in NL

• About: A leading engineering consultancy working on infrastructure, construction, and environmental projects in NL.

9. Verafin (Nasdaq-owned)

• Sector: Technology / FinTech

• Employees: ~1,000 (headquartered in St. John’s)

• About: Global fraud detection and AML (anti-money laundering) software company. One of NL’s tech success stories. Roles: software developers, analysts, and support.

10. Northland Properties (e.g., Denny’s Restaurant operator)

• Sector: Hospitality / Food Service

• Employees: ~1,000+ across Canada; smaller footprint in NL

• About: Operates hospitality and restaurant brands, including Denny’s in NL. Common AIP roles: cooks, servers, food service supervisors.

11. NARL / North Atlantic (Fuel, Retail, Refining)

• Sector: Energy / Fuel Retail

• Employees: ~700+ (regional operations)

• About: Fuel refining and distribution, operates North Atlantic retail outlets and Orangestores. Jobs: drivers, mechanics, retail clerks, refinery technicians.

12. DBC Marine Safety Systems

• Sector: Marine Safety / Manufacturing

• Employees: ~200+

• About: Specializes in marine safety equipment. Jobs: technicians, welders, production staff, engineers.

13. YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador

• Sector: Non-Profit / Community Services

• Employees: ~400+ staff, plus many volunteers

• About: Provides fitness, childcare, and newcomer settlement services. Jobs: early childhood educators, fitness instructors, admin staff.

14. Canadian Tire (Gas+/Retail Franchisees)

• Sector: Retail / Gas Stations

• Employees: Each franchise 30–100; NL total ~500+

• About: Several Canadian Tire Gas+ and retail operations are designated. Consistent hiring for retail sales, mechanics, cashiers, and supervisors.

15. Hickey’s Building Supplies (Timber Mart)

• Sector: Retail / Construction Supply

• Employees: ~100+

• About: Local supplier of lumber and hardware under Timber Mart brand. Jobs: yard workers, delivery drivers, retail sales.

16. Swiss Chalet (Trinity Hospitality Services)

• Sector: Food Service / Hospitality

• Employees: Each outlet 30–70; NL total ~100+

• About: Canadian casual dining chain. AIP hires are usually cooks, food service supervisors, and servers.

17. Union East + Drinks (Volare Hospitality ULC)

• Sector: Hospitality / Restaurant

• Employees: ~50–100

• About: A growing local restaurant group. Roles: servers, bartenders, line cooks, supervisors.

18. Avalon Holographics

• Sector: Technology / Advanced Manufacturing

• Employees: ~50+

• About: St. John’s tech firm pioneering holographic display technology. Jobs: engineers, developers, 3D designers.

19. Memorial Café (Campus Operator)

• Sector: Food Service / Campus Retail

• Employees: ~50–100

• About: Food & beverage provider within Memorial University. Jobs: baristas, food service attendants, kitchen staff.

20. Wabush True Value (Regional Retail)

• Sector: Retail / Hardware

• Employees: ~30–50

• About: Local hardware and home improvement retailer in Labrador West. Consistent AIP roles: retail clerks, cashiers, stock associates.

Top 10 Sectors by Number of Designated Employers (NL)

1. Food - 209 companies
2. Service  - 47 companies
3. Retail - 31 companies
4. Homecare - 30 companies
5. Hospitality - 27 companies
6. Healthcare - 26 companies
7. Education - 18 companies
8. Investment - 15 companies
9. Technology - 7 companies
10. Government - 7 companies

The 10 Most Common Job Types You Can Target (2025)

The designated companies in NL are heavily weighted to Food/Service/Retail/Homecare/Hospitality/Healthcare. That sector mix consistently hires for:

1. Cooks / Line Cooks (NOC 63200)
2. Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020)
3. Food Counter Attendants / Kitchen Helpers (NOC 65201)
4. Retail Sales Supervisors (NOC 62010)
5. Cashiers / Retail Associates (NOC 65100)
6. Personal Care Aides / Home Support Workers (NOC 44101)
7. Housekeepers / Light-Duty Cleaners (NOC 65310)
8. Front Desk / Guest Services (NOC 64314)
9. Transport / Delivery (incl. Drivers) (NOC 73300 series by license)
10. Nurses / LPNs / PCAs (Healthcare) (NOC 31301, 32101, 33102)

How many NLPNP seats are there—and how many remain (end of Aug 2025)?

• Total NLPNP allocation 2025: 2,050 (official NL Government release). 

• As of mid- to late-August 2025: ~375 NLPNP seats remain; ~101 AIP endorsements remain after the August 13 round 

Pro Tips: How Immigrants Can Land a Job Faster in NL (Using This Employer List)

1) Focus on “always-hiring” sectors.
Food, Homecare, Hospitality, Retail and Healthcare dominate the designated-employer list. Prioritize these for speed to offer.

2) Aim for supervisor-track roles (NOC 62010/62020) where possible.
Supervisor roles frequently meet AIP wage/TEER expectations and can be easier to leverage for PR.

3) Target multi-site and “big footprint” employers first.
Chains and large institutions (e.g., NL Health Services, Walmart, Kent, YMCA, Northland Properties) run continuous hiring and move quickly.

4) Customize your CV per sector and mirror NL job language.
Use sector-specific keywords (e.g., “Food Safe,” “WHMIS,” “client-centered care,” “front-of-house,” “inventory,” “cash reconciliation”). Take advantage of the Questjobs AI feature where the job mathcing and CV analyzer feature can improve your ATS rankings and recruiter scans. 

5) Apply directly + through QuestJobs on the same day.
Same day application to QuestJobs’ curated AIP/PNP listings compound visibility thereby giving you a headstart against all other applicants. 

6) Show you’re “arrival-ready.”
Include NL address (if possible), availability date, shift flexibility,  driver’s license class, and references. These reduce employer friction and speed up endorsement.

7) For healthcare & homecare
Collect license eligibility letters, immunization records, and work references upfront. Healthcare employers shortlist faster when compliance is pre-checked.

 

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