Federal Skilled Trades
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. This program is managed under the Express Entry system, which fast-tracks the immigration process for eligible candidates.
Basic Requirements:
Skilled Work Experience
- Type of Work: Must have work experience in a skilled trade listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level B. Eligible trade occupations fall under these major 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
- Duration: Must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time work) in a skilled trade within the five years before applying.
- Paid Work: The work experience must be paid; volunteer work or unpaid internships do not count.
Education
- No Formal Education Requirement: There is no formal education requirement for the FSTP. However, you can improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by:
- Obtaining a Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Having your foreign education assessed by a recognized credential assessment organization to show its equivalency to Canadian standards.
Language Ability
- Language Proficiency: Must meet the minimum language proficiency levels for each language ability (speaking, reading, listening, and writing):
- English: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 for speaking and listening, and NCLC 4 for reading and writing.
- Test Results: Provide valid language test results from a designated organization, such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French. The test results must be less than two years old at the time of application.
Other Requirements
- Job Offer or Certification: Must have either:
- A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year from up to two employers in Canada, OR
- A certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
- Intent to Reside Outside Quebec: Must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. Quebec has its own selection process for skilled workers.