Federal Skilled Trades Program

What Is The Federal Skilled Trades Program

Individuals who are qualified in a skilled trade and wish to gain permanent residency in Canada may apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The application process for this has been bundled into the Express Entry program as of January 2015, along with the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry is a process by which the above-mentioned classes of workers can apply for permanent residence in Canada with a fast-track method. Applicants create an online profile and are selected into a pool of eligible candidates for permanent residence based on certain criteria. This pool of eligible candidates is then ranked against each other using a point system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and candidates that score the highest points are given invitations to apply for permanent residence. These candidates must apply within sixty (60) days or the invitation goes invalid.

Eligibility

Candidates applying under the Skilled Trades Program must demonstrate the following in order to be eligible:

• That they plan on living outside Quebec. If you wish to live in Quebec, you must apply through Quebec’s skilled workers program
• Demonstrate proficiency in English or French, meeting the minimum reading, writing, speaking, and listening requirements
• Have two (2) years’ worth of full time work experience, or an equivalent in part time hours, in a skilled trade within the past five (5) years
• Must meet the job requirements for the skilled trade they work in, as outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• Must have an offer of full time employment for a period of at least twelve (12) months, or a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade he or she works in issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority

Work Experience

Qualifying Skilled Trades under the Federal Skilled Trades Program are grouped under the following major and minor NOC categories:

• Major Group 72: Industrial, Electrical, and Construction Trades
• Major Group 73: Maintenance and Equipment Operation Trades
• Major Group 82: Supervisors and Technical Jobs in Agriculture, Natural Resources, 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

All of these jobs fall within NOC skill type B. You must show in your application that you meet all the experience requirements as set out in the NOC, or it will not be processed.

Education

Although there is no education requirement to apply under the Skilled Trades Program, you may earn some points if you have Canadian post-secondary credentials or a completed foreign credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an agency approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Language

To prove language proficiency, you must achieve a minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing. You must also take an approved language test and include your results in your Express Entry profile when you make your application.

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you like to attain further information on the Federal Skilled Trades Program or require the assistance of a legal professional, do not hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable representatives are on hand to help you.