The Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is another pathway under Canada’s Express Entry system, designed specifically for skilled tradespeople in various industries such as construction, electrical, and manufacturing. The FSTP is distinct from the Federal Skilled Worker program.

Overview of the Federal Skilled Trades Program:

1. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Trade Certification: Applicants must have a certification in a trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority, or have an offer of employment in Canada, or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
   • Upon completing our courses, individuals are eligible to take the CWB test. Successful candidates will earn the “CWB Certified Welder AWS 47.1” certificate. Additionally, our academy serves as an authorized CWB test center located in North York.
   • Work Experience: Applicants need at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years prior to applying.
   • Language Proficiency: Meet minimum language levels in English or French, as determined by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) system. The required levels may be lower than those for the Federal Skilled Worker program.
   • Job Offer: Have a full-time employment offer 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.
2. Skilled Trade Categories: Eligible trades are organized under major and minor groups in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These groups are further divided into various specific trades.
3. Skilled trades NOC groups:
   • Your work experience must be in one of the following NOC groups:
     • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
     • excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
     • Major Group 73, general trades
     • Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
     • Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
     • Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
     • Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
     • Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
4. Welder NOC is 72106.
5. Express Entry: Like other programs under Express Entry, eligible candidates create an online profile where they are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score evaluates factors like age, education, skilled work experience, language proficiency, and more.
6. Invitation to Apply (ITA): Periodically, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry draws, where candidates above a certain CRS score threshold are invited to apply for permanent residency. If you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application.
7. Processing: Typically, after submitting a complete application, the processing time is approximately six months, though this can change depending on various factors.
8. Settlement Funds: Unless currently employed in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, candidates must demonstrate that they possess enough money to establish themselves and support their family in Canada.
9. Admissibility: All immigrants, regardless of the program, must not be inadmissible to Canada due to security, health, or other reasons.

When considering the Federal Skilled Trades Program or any other immigration pathway, it’s crucial to regularly check the official IRCC website or consult with a registered immigration consultant or lawyer to ensure you’re receiving the most up-to-date information.

For more information please visit, Canada’s Official Website