Federal Skilled Trades Program Explained

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a Canadian immigration program that provides a pathway for skilled tradespeople to become permanent residents of Canada. The program was created to help address the shortage of skilled workers in certain trades and industries in Canada.

In this post, we will explore what the Federal Skilled Trades Program is, who is eligible to apply, and how the application process works.

What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is a program designed for foreign skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade and want to become permanent residents of Canada. The program is one of the three federal economic immigration programs, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

The FSTP targets skilled tradespeople who have a valid job offer in Canada or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade from a Canadian province or territory. Applicants are assessed based on their work experience, education, language proficiency, and other factors that contribute to their ability to adapt to life in Canada.

What Are the eligiblity requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Skilled Work Experience: Applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years preceding the date of their application.
Language Proficiency: Applicants must take a language test and must have a minimum score of CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing. The test results must be included with the application.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Applicants must have a valid job offer in Canada for at least one year or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory.
Proof of Funds: Applicants must show that they have enough money to support themselves and their family members during their stay in Canada. Applicants who have a valid job offer in Canada and are currently working in Canada are exempt from the proof of funds requirement.
Education: Applicants must have completed a Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential, or a foreign educational credential that is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
Admissibility: Applicants must be admissible to Canada and meet the health and security requirements.

Skilled Work Experience

The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires applicants to have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years preceding the date of their application. This means that applicants must have worked in a specific skilled trade for a minimum of two years in a full-time capacity, or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience.

The skilled trades that are eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program include occupations in industries such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, and many others. Some examples of skilled trades that are eligible under the program include carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists, and heavy equipment operators.

The work experience that is considered for the Federal Skilled Trades Program must be in a skilled trade that is classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The NOC is a system that classifies jobs in Canada according to their skill level and skill type. It is important for applicants to ensure that their work experience matches the skill level and type required for the skilled trade they are applying under.

It is also worth noting that the Federal Skilled Trades Program requires applicants to have recent work experience in their skilled trade. The work experience must be within the five years preceding the date of the application. This means that applicants who have not worked in their skilled trade recently may not be eligible for the program.

The skilled trades for the Canadian Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these groups of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

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
Unit Group 62200, chefs

Click Here to search the NOC code, title and for your job.

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency is a crucial requirement for eligibility under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada. Applicants must take a language test and meet the minimum language requirements in either English or French, which are the official languages of Canada.

Minimum language score required for FSTP is Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing.

The language test that is accepted for the FSTP is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) for English proficiency, and the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French proficiency. Applicants must take the test from an authorized testing agency and must provide the test results as a part of their application.

The language proficiency requirement serves as an indicator of an applicant’s ability to adapt to life in Canada, where English and French are the primary languages of communication. It is important to note that the language requirements for the FSTP are different from the requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Applicants must meet the minimum language requirement set for each language skill, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The language proficiency requirement for the FSTP is lower than that of the FSWP or the CEC, but it is still essential for applicants to demonstrate their language ability.

The language test results are assessed according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English proficiency or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French proficiency. The CLB or NCLC is a standardized framework that measures an individual’s proficiency in a language.

The language proficiency requirement is important because it helps ensure that applicants can effectively communicate and integrate into Canadian society. Canada is a multicultural and multilingual country, and language is a crucial factor in promoting diversity and inclusivity. By requiring language proficiency, the Canadian government is promoting a society that values and embraces different languages and cultures.

Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification

In addition to having skilled work experience and language proficiency, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) requires applicants to have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

A valid job offer is a written offer of employment from a Canadian employer in a skilled trade occupation. The job offer must be for full-time employment for at least one year, and it must be for a skilled trade occupation that is eligible under the FSTP. The employer must also provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which verifies that the job offer will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.

A certificate of qualification, on the other hand, is issued by a provincial or territorial authority in Canada and confirms that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a specific skilled trade occupation. The certificate of qualification is issued after an individual completes a trade certification exam, which assesses their knowledge and skills in their trade.

It is important to note that the certificate of qualification requirement is only necessary for certain skilled trades occupations in certain provinces or territories. Applicants should research and ensure that their occupation and province or territory require a certificate of qualification before applying under the FSTP.

The job offer or certificate of qualification requirement is important because it demonstrates that an individual has a genuine job opportunity in Canada and that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to work in their skilled trade occupation. This requirement helps to ensure that the skilled trades workforce in Canada is composed of individuals who have the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed.

Proof of Funds

Proof of funds is a requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and their family members while they settle in Canada.

The proof of funds requirement ensures that applicants have the financial means to support themselves and their family members while they settle in Canada, particularly in the early stages of their arrival when they may not yet have secured employment or established a source of income.

The amount of funds that an applicant is required to demonstrate varies depending on the size of their family. The government of Canada provides a table that outlines the minimum required funds for each family size. The funds must be in the form of cash, bank deposits, or investments that are readily available and can be easily converted into Canadian dollars.

It is important to note that applicants who have a valid job offer in Canada and are currently working in Canada are exempt from the proof of funds requirement. Additionally, applicants who have a spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident are also exempt from the requirement.

The proof of funds requirement is an important part of the FSTP because it ensures that applicants have the financial resources to support themselves and their family members while they settle in Canada. This requirement helps to reduce the burden on social services and ensures that newcomers to Canada can become self-sufficient and integrate into Canadian society.

Education

Education is one of the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada. However, the education requirements for the FSTP are different from those of other federal immigration programs.

In the FSTP, applicants must have either a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree OR a foreign educational credential that has been assessed by a designated organization in Canada and deemed equivalent to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.

It is important to note that the education requirement is not as stringent in the FSTP as it is in other federal immigration programs. This is because the FSTP focuses more on an applicant’s skilled trade experience and job offer or certificate of qualification.

However, having a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree or a foreign educational credential that has been deemed equivalent can be beneficial in the FSTP application process. It can demonstrate an applicant’s ability to learn and adapt to new environments, which can be valuable in a skilled trade occupation.

Admissibility

Admissibility is an important aspect of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada. Admissibility refers to an applicant’s ability to enter and remain in Canada as a permanent resident. There are several factors that can affect an applicant’s admissibility, including criminal history, medical conditions, and security risks.

Criminal history is a common reason for inadmissibility. If an applicant has been convicted of a crime, they may not be allowed to enter Canada. This includes both minor and serious offenses. If an applicant has been convicted of a crime outside of Canada, they may still be considered inadmissible, even if the offense would not be considered a crime in Canada. Applicants who have been convicted of a crime should consult with an immigration lawyer to determine if they are eligible for the FSTP.

Medical conditions can also affect an applicant’s admissibility. Applicants must undergo a medical exam as part of the application process, and if they have a medical condition that is considered a danger to public health or safety, they may be deemed inadmissible.

Security risks are another factor that can affect an applicant’s admissibility. If an applicant has a history of espionage, terrorism, or organized crime, they may not be allowed to enter Canada. Additionally, if an applicant is deemed to be a threat to national security or public safety, they may also be considered inadmissible.

It is important for applicants to be aware of these factors and address them appropriately. Applicants who have a criminal record, a medical condition, or a history of security risks should consult with an immigration lawyer to determine their eligibility for the FSTP and any additional steps they may need to take to address their admissibility concerns.

How does the Federal Skilled Trades Program Application Process Work? – Step by Step Guide

The application process for the Federal Skilled Trades Program is a multi-step process that involves the following steps:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility – Applicants must determine if they are eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program by checking their work experience, language proficiency, job offer or certificate of qualification, proof of funds, education, and admissibility.

Step 2: Create an Online Profile – Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can create an online profile in the Express Entry system. The online profile includes personal information, language test results, work experience, education, and other information that will be used to assess their eligibility.

Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply – Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have a high enough score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Step 4: Submit a Complete Application – Applicants who receive an invitation to apply must submit a complete application within 90 days. The application includes supporting documents, such as language test results, proof of funds, and education credentials.

Step 5: Application Processing – Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by Canadian immigration officers. The processing time can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications being processed.

Step 6: Receive a Decision – Applicants will receive a decision on their application, which will either grant them permanent residence or refuse their application. If the application is refused, applicants have the option to appeal the decision.

How to get assessed for your trade in Federal Skilled Trades Program?

The applicants will likely have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for their trade. The process is different depending on the province.

Below are the official links for each province which contains more details about certificates of qualification to work in that province or territory in a specific skilled trade, and what is the process that needs to be followed.

Federal Skilled Trades Program Explained

What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?