Tips with a Federal Skilled Trades Application

The federal skilled Trades application can be a complicated matter to handle on your own and there are a number of various factors you will need to consider. Aside from the basic requirements, there are six selection factors to be considered. Many of our clients come to us as a result of struggling with the right documentation to submit.

Akrami & Associates will guide you every step of the way with this.

If you intend on submitting your application without the support of a representative, there are a couple of factors you should keep in mind.

Meeting the NOC

The NOC or National Occupational Classification is a matrix designed to incorporate all the various occupations and classify them based on a variety of factors. In order to be eligible, your occupation must fall under one of the following classifications.

• Major Group 72 – industrial, electrical and construction trades;
• Major Group 73 – maintenance and equipment operation trades;
• Major Group 82 – supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production;
• Major Group 92 – processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;

If you are having difficulty determining your NOC code, contact us for more information and we would be happy to help.

Language Proficiency

For your application to be eligible for processing, you must include the results of one of the following language tests from a testing agency designated by CIC.

English

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test only)

IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)

French

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français (both modules must be submitted in order to demonstrate results for all four language abilities)

If you do not submit the results of your official language proficiency test with your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you as incomplete. The language test cannot be older than 2 years or it will not be considered.

Documentation

You will need to demonstrate that you not only meet the requirements as a trades person but that you have a valid job offer for the prerequisite amount of time from a valid employer in an eligible occupation. You will need to submit examples of previous work, reference letters, proof of certification etc in order to demonstrate these things. Further, the duties in your intended occupation should reflect duties in previous employment if you hope to satisfy an officer that you can keep up with your intended duties in Canada.