In Canada, Federal Skilled Trades Program are in high demand. This program helps the individual to choose a career in the skilled trades and gives them the freedom to turn what they love into what they do.
This program is offered to individuals who are specialized in specific skill sets and ready to immigrate to Canada. This program facilitates obtaining Canadian permanent residence, and the right to live and work in Canada permanently. This is considered to be a well-paid, respected, and most-demanded occupation in Canada.
In FSTP, there are about 300 and above designations to work as skilled trade workers. Out of it, 54 skills are classified under the Red Seal Program.
Basic Classification of Trade skill for Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP) #
The individuals possessing various skills are classified majorly under the following categories such as:
- Construction (which includes electricians, carpenters, plumbers, steamfitters/pipefitters, welders, heavy equipment operators, and painters)
- Transportation (which includes maintenance and repair of both automobiles and heavy vehicles)
- Manufacturing and Industrial ( which includes product manufacturing and processing industries)
- Services ( this includes regular services such as baking, hairdressing, and cooking)
- Information and Digital Technology ( it includes instrumental and control technicians)
The Canadian Government has released the expected number of entries of the above skills from 2021-25.
Meeting the Minimum requirements for Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP) #
The individual will have to meet a few basic criteria to qualify for the skilled worker program such as:
- Language skill – The person must be capable of writing, reading, listening, and speaking in any one of the official languages i.eEnglish or French according to the Canadian Government’s specification.
- Work experience– two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade with the following factors:
- Paid and recognized job
- These two years should be inclusive of the past 5 years
* internships are not counted
* It can also be a part-time job but equal to the same
- Job Requirements– The individual must possess a valid job offer of full-time employment at least for one year and the following factors are counted:
- made by up to two employers
- The job must belong to the 2016 NOC codes that start with 72, 73, 82, and 92 as well as 632 and 633.
- Should be capable of demonstrating the occupational skill
The person should submit a certificate of qualification approved by the Canadian Government.
Federal Skilled Trades Program skilled work experience- NOC Classification #
Under the NOC classification, the skills are categorized into different occupations based on similarities,
You can find your relevant occupational category in the NOC classification.
*The application is rejected if the experience and qualifications do not meet the description mentioned.
Educational Qualification For (FSTP) #
The individual applying for a trades program does not require any specific educational qualification. But, if the person possesses any education certificates as proof, it adds to express entry points. This is categorized into two types:
For example, If the person has studied in Canada or any other foreign country and received a diploma or degree certificate from
- secondary institution
- post-secondary institution
Strong language proficiency is entitled to receive 50 points for the same.
*If the person has completed his education in foreign and possesses an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) he is capable of receiving 50 points for the same.
Language skill For (FSTP) #
The individual will have to meet the language criteria such as:
- The person should have the ability to
- Write
- Read
- Listen
- Speak
in any of the official languages i.e., English or French.
- The individual must try to score Canadian Language Benchmarks 5 for speaking and listening and Canadian Language Benchmarks 4 for reading and writing in the language tests for french.
The individual must try to score Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien 5 for speaking and listening and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien 4 for reading and writing in the language tests for french.
You can take your test after preparation and refer to this page to know more about language testing.
Then, you can enter your test results in the express entry profile.
Other Basic Factors For FSTP #
Prepare your funds #
The individual will have to make sure that all funds for immigrating to Canada and making a life there are ready. You can refer to this page for further information.
Admissibility in Canada #
The individual is admissible inside the country once he is eligible for a few factors such as criminal and medical cases. You can refer to this page for further information.
Federal Skilled Trades Program FAQs #
How to become a skilled trade worker in Canada without experience? #
The individual doesn’t need to be a skilled tradesperson beforehand. You can develop your skills and start your journey in Canada. The ways to build and learn your skills are:
- Apprenticeship
- Assessment as a trade qualifier
- Pre-trades programs
After the completion of learning the skill, the individual will have to avail of the Red Seal Endorsement (RSE).
From when is the work experience counted? #
The work experience of a skilled individual is calculated only when the person starts practicing the occupation independently.
How long is a Language test valid? #
The test is valid up to 2 years from the date of the test result according to the Canadian Government. The same applies to Permanent Residence applications.