Federal Skilled Trade Program

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES

For qualification under this program:

  • You are not considering the province of Quebec in your possible choices of residence (this territory chooses its own experienced workers. If you intend to live there, you will find more information in the Quebec section);
  • Meet all the English and/or French language requirements (speaking, writing, reading and listening). Read more HERE;
  • You must have at least 2 years of full-time (or the relevant number of part-time) experience in one of the skilled trades within the last 5 years before you apply;
  • You must meet the National Occupational Classification (NOC) requirements for your chosen occupation;
  • You have been in full-time employment for at least one year or have a document that proves you are qualified in this occupation. The proof of qualification must be issued by the appropriate Canadian body.

Full Time – 30 hours of work per week for 12 months. That’s a total of 1,560 hours of work.

Part Time – 15 hours per week for 24 months, which amounts to 1 year full-time (1,560 hours) or 30 hours per week for 12 months in several jobs, which add up to 1 year full-time (1,560 hours).

Skilled Trades Experience

Skilled trades include the following groups and subgroups of occupations under NOC Canada:

  • Group 72: Industrial, electrical and construction trades;
  • Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades;
  • Group 82: Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production;
  • Group 92: Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;
  • Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks;
  • Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers.

Language Skills

You must:

  • Have proficiency in English and/or French at least at Level 5 in Speaking and Listening and at Level 4 in Reading and Writing (according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB));
  • Submit the results of a Ministry of Immigration-recognized language test (more information HERE) for all the indicators (reading, listening, writing, speaking).

You must attach your English or French test scores at the time you complete your Express Entry profile. Certificates of proficiency and Language Skills must be obtained no earlier than 2 years prior to submitting the immigration application.

Education

The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not have special educational aspects. However, if you want to get extra points for Education in the Express Entry system, you must have:

  • Proof of education completed in Canada (higher than secondary level) or
  • A completed education from an educational institution recognized outside the country;
  • An assessment (evaluation/verification) of your educational credential issued by an organization in Canada (more information HERE). The document must prove that the education you received is equivalent to a Canadian education.

Note: If your out-of-country education is equivalent to a Canadian degree, having a validation (diploma evaluation) will be a huge advantage for you.

Principal Applicant

If you are legally or civilly married and live with your husband or wife in Canada, and he or she also meets the requirements listed above, you have the option of choosing which one of you will apply for immigration as your principal applicant.

A common-law husband or wife is a person (of any gender) with whom you have lived together for at least one year.

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