Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of the three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system.
The FSTP offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who possess qualifications in a skilled trade.
Skilled Trades Work Experience – Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
To qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), your work experience must meet specific criteria established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Below is a breakdown of the eligibility requirements for skilled trades work experience:
Identify the Right NOC:
Before applying, you must determine the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC) that matches your job. Your work experience must fall under one of the following eligible categories: Major Groups: 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932), Minor Group: 6320, Unit Group: 62200
Requirements for Skilled Work Experience
Your work experience must:
- Be in the same NOC throughout
- Demonstrate that you performed the lead statement and the majority of the main duties listed in the NOC description
- Meet the employment requirements listed under the NOC for that trade
- Be paid work experience (i.e., wages or commission; unpaid internships or volunteer work are not eligible)
- Be acquired in a country where you were legally authorized and qualified to practice that trade
- Total at least 2 years of full-time work (or the equivalent in part-time) within the last 5 years before you apply
Calculating Your Work Experience
To be eligible, you must have completed at least 3,120 hours of work in your trade. This can be achieved through various combinations:
- Full-time work at one job: Up to 30 hours/week for 24 months
- Part-time work: Any schedule that adds up to 3,120 hours (e.g., 15 hours/week for 48 months)
- Full-time work at multiple jobs: 30 combined hours/week across more than one employer for 24 months.
Note: Hours worked in excess of 30 per week are not counted toward the requirement.
International Work Experience
If your skilled trades experience was obtained outside Canada, it must have been in a country where you were qualified to practise independently. If you worked in a country different from where you were certified, you must also have met that country’s local requirements for practising your trade.
Ineligible Work Experience
Work experience gained while studying (including co-op terms or internships) does not count toward the minimum work requirement for the FSTP.
2. Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification – Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Hold a valid job offer for full-time employment in Canada that is for a minimum duration of one year,
OR - Possess a Certificate of Qualification in your trade, issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
3.Minimum Language Requirements – Federal Skilled Trades Program
To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must meet the following minimum language proficiency levels in either English or French, depending on the language of assessment.
Language | Abilities | Minimum Level |
English | Speaking and Listening | CLB 5 |
English | Reading and Writing | CLB 4 |
French | Speaking and Listening | NCLC 5 |
French | Reading and Writing | NCLC 4 |
CLB = Canadian Language Benchmark
NCLC = Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
You must submit results from an approved language test, and they must be less than two years old at the time you apply for permanent residence.
4.Educational Requirements
There is no formal education requirement to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, completing post-secondary education—especially from a Canadian institution—can significantly enhance your profile in the Express Entry pool.
If you hold a foreign credential, you can boost your ranking by providing:
- Proof of your completed educational credential, and
- A valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes
5.Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your accompanying family members after arriving in Canada.
You are exempt from this requirement if:
- You are already authorized to work in Canada, AND
- You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Important Points
- Attaining a minimum of 67 points based on the immigration selection factors set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is not mandatory for the applicant.
- There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, applicant will be awarded points in their Express Entry pool if they have earned a Canadian educational or have Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign education.
- The applicants must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.
A skilled trade is a type of occupation that requires specialized training, practical experience, and technical knowledge, often obtained through apprenticeships, vocational programs, or on-the-job learning rather than traditional academic degrees.
In Canada, skilled trades are typically categorized under fields such as:
- Construction (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters)
- Manufacturing (e.g., machinists, tool and die makers)
- Transportation (e.g., truck mechanics, heavy equipment technicians)
- Services (e.g., chefs, butchers, hairstylists) etc.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program focuses specifically on skilled trade occupations, while other immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, have different eligibility criteria and target a broader range of occupations.
A Certificate of Qualification serves as evidence that an individual possesses the necessary qualifications to work in a specific skilled trade within Canada. The certification process for trades in Canada is governed by provincial authorities, with each province determining which occupations will be regulated and establishing relevant regulatory bodies. With a Certificate of Qualification, applicants prove they have passed a certification exam or met all the requirements to practice their trade in a specific province or territory.
No, the Federal Skilled Trades Program does not require applicants to meet a minimum points threshold. However, meeting the eligibility criteria is crucial, and applicants are ranked within the Express Entry pool based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Yes, you can include your spouse/common-law partner and dependent children in your application for permanent residency under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, they must meet the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Skilled trades for the 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
To obtain a Certificate of Qualification in Canada, the process and requirements vary depending on the province or territory where you intend to work. The regulatory bodies responsible for trade certification can provide detailed information. It is recommended to contact the following provincial, territorial, or federal bodies to inquire about the specific process and requirements:
Province | Department / Regulatory Agency |
Alberta | |
British Columbia | Skilled Trades BC |
Manitoba | |
New Brunswick | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division |
Northwest Territories | Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification |
Nova Scotia | |
Nunavut | |
Ontario | |
Prince Edward Island | |
Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission |
Yukon |
If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
If you want to apply under Federal Skilled Trades Program or want to check your eligibility, we can help! Contact us to discuss your options!