The federal skilled trades program was launched in January of 2013 and allows those who are skilled in trades to obtain permanent residency in Canada to fill any labour shortages. In order to qualify, you have to meet various eligibility requirements and work in an approved field.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements For the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The following list outlines prerequisites you’ll need to fulfill for entry into this program:
You cannot be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
You must have a full-time job offer for one year or a certificate of qualification for your skilled trade that was issued by a province or territory
Within five years of applying for the federal skilled trades, you must have obtained two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade or a part-time equivalent
Your job duties match the ones outlined in the National Occupational Classification Code (NOC) as of the year 2011
You need a valid job offer that is approved by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
You must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for the English test or Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) for the French test to prove you are fluent in one of Canada’s two official languages
You must be admissible to immigrate to Canada, with no criminal, medical, or non-compliance issues
You are applying for a federal skilled trades program outside the province of Quebec
Part-time work experience can be equivalent to full-time work experience in certain circumstances. For example, if you worked an average of 15 hours a week for two years on a part-time basis, that may be considered equivalent to one year of full-time work experience
You can also fulfill the full-time work experience by working at multiple jobs at the same time as long as you meet the requirements
What Positions Are Eligible?
NOC B positions that are classified as skilled trades in both major and minor occupational groups are eligible for this program, including:
Electrical, industrial and construction trades under Major Group 72.
Equipment operations trades and maintenance under Major Group 73.
Technical and supervisory positions in natural resources, agriculture, or anything else in a related field under Major Group 82.
Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators under Major Group 92.
Chefs and cooks under Minor Group 632.
Butchers and bakers under Minor Group 633.
Your job description and work experience must fall into the above groups to be considered among positions allowed to apply for the federal skilled trades program.
Want to Know More?
Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.
All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Click here to book your 1 on 1 consultation, or fill out the form on the left.