The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, a key component of the Economic Class, is designed to bring skilled trade workers to Canada who can contribute to the economy. Managed by the Express Entry system, the approximate processing time for this program is six months once an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is received.
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Employment Offer: Have a job offer from up to two Canadian employers for at least one year, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), OR
Certificate of Qualification:Obtain a Certificate of Qualification from a provincial or territorial body in Canada.
Language Proficiency:Meet the minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
Work Experience:Have at least 24 months of qualified work experience in the skilled trade within the last five years.
Job Duties:Be qualified to perform the job duties of the specific skilled trade as outlined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
The Federal Skilled Trades program includes a total of 90 eligible occupations within the following general categories:
Trade certification in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction, with each province outlining which trades are regulated and establishing relevant regulatory bodies. Provincial certification can be challenging to obtain from outside Canada, making this program particularly beneficial for those who have a job offer from a recognized employer or are already working in Canada as temporary foreign workers.
For trade workers seeking to qualify, an approved offer of employment from a Canadian employer for one year or more is essential. The job offer will be evaluated to ensure it is an eligible trade and that hiring will have a neutral effect on the Canadian labor market.
