Federal Skilled Trades Program
Express Entry Immigration System
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program, an Express Entry stream in which applicants can submit their application for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. This program is for skilled workers that possess qualified skilled work experience in the following NOC groups:
- Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
- Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers
The major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations, and they are all skill type B. You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.
The work experience only counts after you qualified to independently practice the occupation.
Minimum Requirements
Language
Applicants must meet the required language level for each language ability:
| Language | Ability | Minimum Level |
|---|---|---|
|
English |
Speaking and listening |
CLB5 |
|
English |
Reading and writing |
CLB4 |
|
French |
Speaking and Listening |
NCLC 5 |
|
French |
Reading and writing |
NCLC 4 |
Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.
Work Experience
- Applicants must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years prior to applying.
Your work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count);
- meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification.
The requirement to obtain either:
- A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total of at least 1 year
OR
- Certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
Education
There is no education requirement for the Express Entry profile registration under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Nevertheless, in order to improve your CRS score, it is imperative to provide:
- A completed credential, OR
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report obtained for immigration purposes from a designated organization
Proof of Funds
- The applicants should prove that they meet the financial requirement for themselves and their family in order to successfully settle in Canada, unless you are currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
Applicants will likely have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for their trade. Also, it may be needing an employer in Canada to give required experience and training. The process is different, depending on which province/territory the applicant wants to go.
If the trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic).
Canadian Experience Class
For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience. Work experience must have been gained in the 3 years before you apply
Federal Skilled Worker Program
For skilled workers with foreign work experience and must meet criteria for education and other factors
