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Federal Skilled Trades

Minimum requirements

To be eligible, you must:

  • plan to live outside the province of Quebec (Note: The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information),

  • meet the required levels in English or French for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening),

  • have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience)Footnote* in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply,

  • meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification, and

  • have an 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.

  • This means you have to work a total of at least 30 hours over a period of one week for two years in your skilled trade within the five years before you apply. For example:

Full Time

30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Part Time

15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
OR
30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

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Up to two employers can commit to employing you for at least one year of continuous full-time work, meaning a total of at least 30 hours of work per week.

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In Canada, provinces and territories issue certificates of qualification in the skilled trades. To get a certificate, the provincial or territorial trades authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you are eligible to write an exam to be certified.

Skilled work experience

Skilled Trades currently eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these major and minor groups of the NOC:

  • 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, and

  • Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers.

Education

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. But, if you want to earn points for your education under Express Entry, you either need:

Language ability

You must:

  • meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 for reading and writing, and

  • Your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Principal applicant

If you are married or live with a common-law partner who also meets the above conditions, you can decide which one of you will apply under Express Entry as the principal (main) applicant.

Professionals at New Phase Immigration Group can guide you on how you can improve your rank and also help you to re-locate in Canada. To check your eligibility and CRS Score feel free to contact us. 

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