The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system, designed specifically for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. This program addresses the need for skilled tradespersons in various sectors of the Canadian economy.
Key eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Trades Program include:
- Qualified Trade: Applicants must have experience in eligible trades listed under specific groups of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, such as:
- 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.
- Work Experience: Applicants need at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before applying.
- Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Applicants must either have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a Certificate of Qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing in either English or French.
Application Process:
- Express Entry Profile: Candidates must create an Express Entry profile online, where they enter a pool of candidates.
- Ranking System: They are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores candidates based on factors including skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors.
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates with the highest scores in the pool may receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency.
The FSTP aims to fill labor shortages in skilled trades across Canada by facilitating the immigration of tradespersons who are essential to the health and growth of various crucial sectors.