Federal Skilled Trades Program

Overview

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires two years of recent paid experience in the same eligible trade and either a qualifying one-year job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification. It is managed through Express Entry.

Start with the trade classification

The claimed experience must all be in the same NOC and within one of the trade groups listed by IRCC. The list includes specified groups in construction, transportation, natural resources, agriculture, manufacturing and industrial work, as well as certain cooks, butchers and chefs.

The applicant must have performed the lead statement and most main duties and must have been qualified to practise the trade in the country where the work occurred. Working in a trade is not enough if local law required a qualification the worker did not hold.

Count two years within the last five

The minimum is 3,120 hours of paid work acquired over at least two years during the five years before the application. IRCC counts no more than 30 hours in a week. Part-time work may be combined, but student work, volunteer work and unpaid internships do not meet the minimum.

Dates, hours and duties should be supported by employer records. If experience was gained in more than one country, check the right-to-practise rules for each place.

A job offer or Canadian trade certificate is mandatory

The applicant needs either a valid offer of full-time employment for at least one year or a certificate of qualification issued by the responsible Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. A certificate commonly requires an assessment and examination, and a person may need to travel to the province or gain Canadian training before qualifying.

A job offer can come from up to two employers but must meet the detailed validity rules. Job-offer CRS points remain removed, yet the offer can still be essential to eligibility under this program.

Language and funds are separate requirements

The minimum language level is CLB or NCLC 5 for speaking and listening and 4 for reading and writing. There is no education requirement, although education can improve the CRS score.

Settlement funds are normally required. The exception applies when the person is legally able to work in Canada and has a valid Canadian job offer. The applicant must also be admissible and intend to live outside Quebec.