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The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the programs that is managed by the Express Entry immigration system. The FSTP is designed for foreign trade workers with work experience in eligible trade occupations to immigrate to Canada. It is not the only pathway for skilled workers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. There are also other ways to immigrate to Canada in an unskilled capacity but this will not be through a fast-track program like this one under Express Entry.
The first step is to check if you qualify as a skilled trade worker according to the federal government. You can then apply through the Express Entry system. In addition, you will also need to have a valid job offer/certificate of qualification in order to be considered eligible. Achieving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Express Entry system is your ultimate goal to be considered for permanent residence in every province of Canada (apart from Québec) and with the exception of receiving a provincial nomination from a Canadian province or territory. You will then need to settle in the province/territory that endorsed you.
A Quick Overview of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
In order to be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will need to meet certain criteria (some of which overlaps with the Express Entry system's CRS standards) in order to assess your suitability for the program before you can create your profile through Express Entry. These requirements are specific to this program and need to be in line with one of the specific skilled trades listed in the table below.
What Are the Requirements of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?
| Minimum Requirements |
|---|
| A full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a total period of at least 1-year OR a certificate of qualification* from a provincial, territorial, or federal governing body |
| Language proficiency score in French or English measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). (Level 4 for writing + reading and level 5 for listening + speaking) |
| At least 2-years of full-time work experience within the last 5 years |
| Ability to demonstrate that you meet the job requirements of your skilled trade |
| You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you have a valid job offer or can legally work in Canada. |
*This certificate must be obtained from a transference of qualifications exam written in Canada.
If you meet the requirements, you’re ready to apply for the program through the Express Entry system by creating your online profile.
Required Skilled Work Experience
Skilled trade occupations eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized in the following major National Occupational Classification NOC groups. The groups are subdivided into different occupations, and they are all skill type B. You must show that you performed the duties of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all essential duties and most of the main duties. See this example for NOC 7321 - Automotive service technicians.
| National Occupation Classification Categories | |
|---|---|
| Major Group 72 |
|
| Major Group 73 |
|
| Major Group 82 |
|
| Major Group 92 |
|
| Minor Group 632 |
|
| Minor Group 633 |
|
The Express Entry System
Express Entry is a fast-track system that processes applications for permanent residence in as little as six months! Meeting the minimum requirements of the Federal Skilled Trades Program is only the first part of the Express Entry process. The next step is to create an online profile that will give you a score for the additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria listed below. Then, you await an Express Entry draw (which typically happens every two weeks). During the draw, the highest-scoring candidates issued with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
CRS Criteria Gives Points For:
- Your age
- Your level of education
- Your work experience in and outside of Canada
- Your ability to adapt to life in Canada
- Whether or not you have a sibling in Canada
- Your level of language proficiency
- Arranged employment
- Whether or not you have a Provincial Nomination
Even though your level of education is not a minimum requirement for the FSTP it will help your Express Entry CRS score if you submit evidence of schooling in Canada or foreign credentials for attending high school or post-secondary institutions. Your CLB test score for language proficiency may meet the minimum requirements for the FSTP but it helps to achieve as high a language test score as possible in order to achieve a better score through the CRS.
Improving Your CRS Score
There are many ways of improving your Express Entry Canada CRS score, most of them starting with adding to your work experience or getting better qualified in your field of study. This is achievable while you are in the process of applying to the Express Entry system (as your profile is always open to edits before the draw). However, it’s recommended that you make your profile as strong as possible and gather all the necessary documents before applying to stand the best chance of being successful early on in the process.
Another way to improve your score is to achieve a Provincial Nomination (PN) through one of the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs). If you are already inside the Express Entry system, this works by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province of your choice within Canada or in some cases, waiting for them to send you a Notification of Interest (NOI). You need to meet the criteria for that province and be on their in-demand skills list to be eligible.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also work with the Express Entry system for skilled workers. If you are successful in meeting the criteria for a PNP - Express Entry aligned program (which are sometimes less stringent than those of the Federal Skilled Trades Program), you are then issued with a PN. This nomination adds 600 additional points to your profile, almost guaranteeing (bar any outstanding requirements) your ITA. This is because the minimum score drawn from the pool has never exceeded 500 points. It’s good to check which PNPs in Canada you qualify for and send the province an Expression of Interest.
How We Can Help
Our service makes use of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), who are experts on the different programs offered by the federal government, such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program, as well as the ever-changing policies surrounding immigration. They are your helping hand when it comes to first creating your profile right up until you receive your ITA for permanent residence. They can also advise you further about which route to take and what you can improve on in your professional capacity.
The Express Entry process happens very swiftly once you have met the criteria for your chosen program (for example, the FSTP) which means that there is little room for error when it comes to collecting the required documents and submitting them on time. Our consultants have all been through the process themselves (as they are all immigrants to Canada) and can ease all your fears when it comes to your application. Why not have experienced professionals on your side when you’re navigating the system? Sign up with our service today to get the ball rolling towards permanent residence.
