About the Department

The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development supports a strong, inclusive, and resilient economy, with a focus on:

  • Workforce development and employment supports
  • Business growth, innovation, and investment
  • Population growth including immigration, attraction and retention
  • Regional and rural economic development
  • Employer support and labour market alignment

The department delivers this work in partnership with individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the province, supporting economic growth, job creation, and a more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador.

The department is headquartered in the Confederation Building and on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s, has 18 regional economic development offices, and operates 19 client-facing Employment Centres throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Vision

A strong and competitive economy where talent, business growth, and vibrant communities drive long-term prosperity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mandate

The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development advances Newfoundland and Labrador’s economic prosperity by strengthening the connections between people, businesses, and communities.

The department supports sustainable economic growth by cultivating a skilled and adaptable workforce, supporting business and sector growth and innovation, and advancing population growth to ensure employers and regions have the talent, capacity, and scale needed to succeed. This includes supporting long-time residents and newcomers alike through workforce development, labour market policy, and immigration pathways and settlement services that respond to economic and labour market needs.

Working collaboratively with employers, community and industry partners, and other orders of government, the department helps create a competitive, resilient economy that enables opportunity and long-term prosperity across all regions of the province.

Lines of Business

The department delivers a range of programs and services to help advance economic prosperity. Those programs and services are grouped in the following areas:

  • Business Growth and Regional Economic Development: Supports business and export growth, investment attraction, and regional development through funding, advisory services, and promotion of economic opportunities.
  • Employment Supports and Career Services: Helps individuals prepare for, find, and keep employment through career services, training, and partnerships that address labour market needs.
  • Fair Registration: Improves access to regulated professions by supporting fair, timely credential recognition and reducing licensure/registration barriers for out-of-province and internationally trained workers.
  • Immigration: Attracts and retains newcomers by nominating candidates for permanent residency, supporting employers with international recruitment, and providing settlement supports.
  • Population Growth and Workforce Development: Supporting workforce planning, labour market analysis, and talent attraction and retention.
  • Support for Innovation and Sector Diversification: Advances innovation and economic diversification through sector collaboration, support for technology adoption and commercialization, and investments in the innovation ecosystem.

Values

Employees within the Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development support the following values:

  • Partnership – Employees are committed to building collaborative and constructive relationships with all stakeholders.
  • Professionalism – Employees are highly trained and committed to providing quality services.
  • Respect – Employees are committed to ensuring the views of others are clearly understood and represented in a fair, neutral, and dignified manner.
  • Sustainability – Employees act in a way that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.

Primary Clients

The department serves a broad group of clients, including:

  • Individuals who are unemployed or under employed
  • Employers and employer associations
  • Occupational regulatory bodies
  • Technology incubators
  • Cities, towns, and local service districts
  • Businesses, including co-operatives and social enterprises
  • Venture capital firms
  • Newcomers and immigrants
  • Community organizations
  • Sector groups and industry associations
  • Governments and government agencies

Service Standards

Service standards are intended to describe wait times under normal circumstances.

Employment and Training Programs

  • Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Job Grant – 20 Business Days, upon receipt of a complete application.
  • Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) Projects and individual Supports – 25 Business Days, upon receipt of a complete application.
  • JobsNL Wage Subsidy – 20 Business Days, upon receipt of a complete application.
  • Skills Development – 20 Business Days, upon receipt of a complete application.