In case you have practical experience in a trade (construction, maintenance, manufacturing or agriculture) and are looking forward to making Canada your home, the Federal Skilled Trades Program provides a specially created avenue. This path does not give preference to university degrees but instead pays more attention to practical skills, work experience and trade-qualification. Through this post we will discuss the Federal Skilled Trades Program, who it is, who qualifies, the necessary experience in skilled trade, the needed work experience in skilled trades, in a job, or certificate of qualification, language proficiency, education, etc, where you can reside in Canada and tips and advice on how your application can be stronger.
What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Federal Skilled Trades Program is among the Express Entry programs in Canada which are aimed at applicants who are qualified in a skilled trade and desire to enter into Canada as permanent residents.
This program does not consider formal education solely, but puts emphasis on trade-specific working experience, trade certification (or a valid job offer) and satisfying language and other requirements. It is particularly appropriate to those who choose to follow the practical trades as their core competencies but not academic careers.
Skilled Trade Sectors
Federal Skilled Trades Program In the Federal Skilled Trades Program, a skilled trade is defined as an occupation where applicants possess specialised, practical skills, which may have been acquired as a result of completing an apprenticeship or training as a trade.
Eligible sectors include:
Construction, electrical, industrial trades (Major Group 72 not involving Sub-Major Group 726)
Maintenance and equipment operating (Major Group 73)
Natural resources, production and allied agriculture (Major Groups 82 and 83)
Processing, manufacturing and utilities (Major Group 92 and 93) supervisors.
Minor group 6320 (e.g., cooks, butchers, bakers)
To be eligible under this program, one must have experience in one of these trade sectors.
Skilled Trades Work Experience
The work experience within this program should be in accordance with extremely strict regulations. Based on the official guidance:
The minimum number of years of full time employed in a skilled trade (or equivalent number of hours of part time employed) of at least 3,120 hours in the past 5 years.
The experience should correspond to one NOC (National Occupational Classification) code of the eligible groups (see above).
The job has to be remunerated (no experience is volunteering or unpaid).
You were to have been qualified to practise the trade in the country in which you practised (where appropriate).
In case the hours were accumulated in part-time employment, it has to comply with the total number of hours requirement and cannot count more than 30 hours in each week.
The pillar of the program is to meet this work-experience requirement.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
One of the distinct eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Trades Program is that you must satisfy one of two options:
1. Valid Job Offer
At least 1 year (full time) (continuous) full-time employment opportunity in Canada in your skilled trade by up to two eligible employers.
The work position has to comply with professional standards and should be authentic (not solely a prerequisite).
Certification of Competence.
A certificate of qualification (or trade licence) issued by a provincial, territorial or federal authority in Canada certifying that you are qualified to be employed in that kind of trade.
In case your trade is regulated in a province or territory, then it will be required to undergo that certification process (which might entail examinations, training, examination).
Therefore, in order to be eligible in the Federal Skilled Trades Program, one has to offer evidence of a job offering or a certificate of qualification – one of those two options.
Language Ability
Language is a compulsory part of the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
You will be required to complete a government-approved test on language either in English or French.
CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing is the minimum level.
The outcome of the language tests should be valid and they should be attached with your application to demonstrate that you are able to work in Canada.
Language scores that are good are not only eligible to make the entry but they can also enhance your position provided that you are in the Express Entry pool.
Education
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is unlike many other types of immigration streams in that it does not have a given level of formal education as an eligibility requirement.
However:
Provided that you have a certificate, diploma or degree, particularly Canada or your foreign qualifications are evaluated through Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), you can gain extra points in the Express Entry pool.
Accordingly, you do not require advanced education in order to work under this program, but the possession of certain formal qualifications may turn out as an advantage.
Proof of Funds
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have enough funds to sustain themselves and the possible dependents upon their arrival in Canada – unless they already have a valid job offer in Canada and are legally employed.
This will assist in proving that you will be able to remit and assimilate without having to receive social support. Be sure and update the most recent settlement-fund tables and find supporting documentation (bank statements, etc.).
Admissibility
It is significant to meet all the technical eligibility requirements, yet you should also be admissible to Canada:
Admissibility means:
You should not be a criminal or have security issues.
You should also pass the necessary medical tests and not become a health hazard to Canadians.
You have to fulfill other general immigration eligibility requirements (e.g., not under some bar or exclusion).
Rejection due to failure to pass admissibility checks may occur even though you qualify in other program requirements.
Where You Can Live in Canada
Assuming you meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you intend to establish residence outside the province of Quebec, since Quebec has its own skilled-worker immigration programs that have different regulations.
By registering your profile through the Express Entry, you will specify the province or territory you wish to reside. You select the province that you intend to go to, but you are not obliged to remain in that province after you have landed provided that you are not a provincial nomination in that province.
Canada has numerous places to live in, which can be described as either large cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary) or small cities and towns with thriving trade activities. Being a tradesperson, you can be very sought after in places that are construction, manufacturing or resource-based economies, which in most cases are also low in cost of living and high in the living standards.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application under the Federal Skilled Trades Program
Here are some practical tips to improve your chances:
Ensure that your practical experience matches perfectly with the tasks that are listed in the appropriate NOC pertaining to your trade – otherwise, it may slow or even halt your application.
When your profession is controlled, then start the certification (evaluation, examination, etc.) in good time.
Complete the language test when you can and ensure better results than minimum – better results provide a higher ranking.
Maintain elaborate accounts of your job experience: job letters, wage slips, contracts, hours worked, particularly in cases where you have worked using part-time or multiple jobs taking into consideration the hour obligation.
Although education is not mandatory, foreign credentials must be assessed (ECA) in case they can assist in adding points.
Get ready your proof of funds documents early enough and have bank letters/bank statements prepared.
Enquire as well how many provinces are in demand of your trade – then in the selection of places to reside in, take these into consideration as well.
Seek the services of an immigration consultant in case you are not sure about the NOC codes, or the certification or job offer validity – this will save expensive errors.
Conclusion
Federal Skilled Trades Program presents a great path to Canadian permanent residency to those whose talents are skilled trades and not academic careers. After fulfilling the criteria of trade specific work experience, securing a job offer or certificate of qualification, addressing the language requirement, and accommodating the other eligibility factors (education, funds evidence, admissibility and residence plan), you can place yourself in a favourable position to succeed. This may be the right pathway to you, provided you are a trader who is seeking to make Canada your future home, plan amicably, write down and get action on early as this route may be the perfect one to you.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need a university degree to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
A1: No – the program does not have a university degree as one of the strict requirements, though higher education will provide you with additional points.
Q2: Can part-time work count toward the two years’ experience requirement?
A2: Yes, it is possible to use part-time work, provided you have at least 3,120 hours of paid work within the last five years (which is 2 years full-time).
Q3: Must I live in the province I initially chose when applying?
A3: Not necessarily. You may settle in a different province after landing as a permanent resident unless you are bound by a provincial nomination scheme to a particular province.
Q4: If my trade is not regulated in a province, can I still apply?
A4: Yes– then you must have a full-time job offer in your trade of a valid full year to qualify to do so.
Q5: Does having strong work experience alone guarantee I’ll be accepted?
A5: Not alone. You must also meet all other eligibility criteria (job offer or certificate, language ability, admissibility, proof of funds) and then receive an Invitation to Apply through Express Entry. Meeting all criteria improves your chances, but it’s not a guarantee of approval.
A Complete Guide to Canada’s Federal Skilled Trades Program: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
Introduction
In case you have practical experience in a trade (construction, maintenance, manufacturing or agriculture) and are looking forward to making Canada your home, the Federal Skilled Trades Program provides a specially created avenue. This path does not give preference to university degrees but instead pays more attention to practical skills, work experience and trade-qualification. Through this post we will discuss the Federal Skilled Trades Program, who it is, who qualifies, the necessary experience in skilled trade, the needed work experience in skilled trades, in a job, or certificate of qualification, language proficiency, education, etc, where you can reside in Canada and tips and advice on how your application can be stronger.
What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Federal Skilled Trades Program is among the Express Entry programs in Canada which are aimed at applicants who are qualified in a skilled trade and desire to enter into Canada as permanent residents.
This program does not consider formal education solely, but puts emphasis on trade-specific working experience, trade certification (or a valid job offer) and satisfying language and other requirements. It is particularly appropriate to those who choose to follow the practical trades as their core competencies but not academic careers.
Skilled Trade Sectors
Federal Skilled Trades Program In the Federal Skilled Trades Program, a skilled trade is defined as an occupation where applicants possess specialised, practical skills, which may have been acquired as a result of completing an apprenticeship or training as a trade.
Eligible sectors include:
Skilled Trades Work Experience
The work experience within this program should be in accordance with extremely strict regulations. Based on the official guidance:
The pillar of the program is to meet this work-experience requirement.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
One of the distinct eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Trades Program is that you must satisfy one of two options:
1. Valid Job Offer
Certification of Competence.
Therefore, in order to be eligible in the Federal Skilled Trades Program, one has to offer evidence of a job offering or a certificate of qualification – one of those two options.
Language Ability
Language is a compulsory part of the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
Language scores that are good are not only eligible to make the entry but they can also enhance your position provided that you are in the Express Entry pool.
Education
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is unlike many other types of immigration streams in that it does not have a given level of formal education as an eligibility requirement.
However:
Proof of Funds
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have enough funds to sustain themselves and the possible dependents upon their arrival in Canada – unless they already have a valid job offer in Canada and are legally employed.
This will assist in proving that you will be able to remit and assimilate without having to receive social support. Be sure and update the most recent settlement-fund tables and find supporting documentation (bank statements, etc.).
Admissibility
It is significant to meet all the technical eligibility requirements, yet you should also be admissible to Canada:
Admissibility means:
Rejection due to failure to pass admissibility checks may occur even though you qualify in other program requirements.
Where You Can Live in Canada
Assuming you meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you intend to establish residence outside the province of Quebec, since Quebec has its own skilled-worker immigration programs that have different regulations.
By registering your profile through the Express Entry, you will specify the province or territory you wish to reside. You select the province that you intend to go to, but you are not obliged to remain in that province after you have landed provided that you are not a provincial nomination in that province.
Canada has numerous places to live in, which can be described as either large cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary) or small cities and towns with thriving trade activities. Being a tradesperson, you can be very sought after in places that are construction, manufacturing or resource-based economies, which in most cases are also low in cost of living and high in the living standards.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application under the Federal Skilled Trades Program
Here are some practical tips to improve your chances:
Conclusion
Federal Skilled Trades Program presents a great path to Canadian permanent residency to those whose talents are skilled trades and not academic careers. After fulfilling the criteria of trade specific work experience, securing a job offer or certificate of qualification, addressing the language requirement, and accommodating the other eligibility factors (education, funds evidence, admissibility and residence plan), you can place yourself in a favourable position to succeed. This may be the right pathway to you, provided you are a trader who is seeking to make Canada your future home, plan amicably, write down and get action on early as this route may be the perfect one to you.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need a university degree to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
A1: No – the program does not have a university degree as one of the strict requirements, though higher education will provide you with additional points.
Q2: Can part-time work count toward the two years’ experience requirement?
A2: Yes, it is possible to use part-time work, provided you have at least 3,120 hours of paid work within the last five years (which is 2 years full-time).
Q3: Must I live in the province I initially chose when applying?
A3: Not necessarily. You may settle in a different province after landing as a permanent resident unless you are bound by a provincial nomination scheme to a particular province.
Q4: If my trade is not regulated in a province, can I still apply?
A4: Yes– then you must have a full-time job offer in your trade of a valid full year to qualify to do so.
Q5: Does having strong work experience alone guarantee I’ll be accepted?
A5: Not alone. You must also meet all other eligibility criteria (job offer or certificate, language ability, admissibility, proof of funds) and then receive an Invitation to Apply through Express Entry. Meeting all criteria improves your chances, but it’s not a guarantee of approval.
Author: Shubham
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