The New Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for people who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

Note: to avoid backlogs and ensure fast processing times, we will accept no more than 3,000 complete applications for processing in the first year (from January 2, 2013 to January 1, 2014).

Within the 3,000 cap, no more than 100 new applications for certain jobs will be considered for processing each year. There is no sub-cap for other skilled trades. To apply, you must:

• plan to live outside the province of Quebec (Note: The province of Quebec chooses its own skilled workers.),
• meet the required levels in English or Frenchfor each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening),
• have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience)* in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply,
• meet all job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and
• have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year** or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body.

*“Full-time work” means at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week, or an equal amount in part-time, paid work experience.

**Up to two employers can commit to employing you for at least one year of continuous full-time work, meaning at least 30 hours of work over a period of one week.

National Occupation Classification (NOC) requirements

Skilled Trades currently eligible for the FSTP are organized under these major groups of the NOC:

• Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades,
• Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades,
• Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production, and
• Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators.

These major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations. In total, 43 jobs (with specific NOC codes) will be eligible to apply under the FSTP in the first year of the program. We will accept no more than 100 applications for certain occupations. Other jobs do not have a limit of 100.

FSTP applications must be made based on the 2011 version of the NOC. However, if the application includes a Labour Market Opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada based on the 2006 version of the NOC, it will be accepted by CIC as long as the applicant’s occupation corresponds to a 2011 NOC code that is eligible for the program.

Applications will be processed in the order we receive them.

Group A – Jobs with sub-caps of 100 applications each (and their corresponding 2011 NOC code)

• 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
• 7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
• 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
• 7271 Carpenters
• 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
• 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
• 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
• 8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
• 8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling services
• 8241 Logging machinery operators
• 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
• 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
• 9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
• 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
• 9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
• 9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators

Group B – no sub-caps (2011 NOC code)

• 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
• 7233 Sheet metal workers
• 7235 Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
• 7236 Ironworkers
• 7237 Welders and related machine operators
• 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• 7242 Industrial electricians
• 7243 Power system electricians
• 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
• 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
• 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
• 7251 Plumbers
• 7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
• 7253 Gas fitters
• 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
• 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• 7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
• 7314 Railway carmen/women
• 7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
• 7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
• 7371 Crane operators
• 7372 Drillers and blasters - surface, mining, quarrying and construction
• 7373 Water well drillers
• 8231 Underground production and development miners
• 8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
• 9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators

Language testing

You must show you meet the minimum requirements in English or French for each of the four language abilities: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

To do this, you must take an English or French language test from an organization approved by CIC. You must then include the results of your test with your application.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The CLB/NCLC levels which correspond to the IELTS are:

 Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

The CLB/NCLC levels which correspond to the TEF are:

Requirement 2 - Work experience in a skilled trade occupation

You must meet the following work experience requirements:

• You must have at least two years of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time employment in the skilled trade occupation you specify in your application.
• Your work experience must be in the skilled trade occupation listed in Skill Level B of the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• Your work experience must have been obtained after becoming qualified to independently practice that occupation. Time spent in an apprenticeship position will not be counted.
• You must have acquired this experience within the last 5 years.

You do not need to be employed at the time you submit your application.

You must indicate the requirements to independently practice your skilled trade occupation in your country/region and clearly demonstrate how you met those requirements before gaining the two years of qualifying work experience.

Note: You must have performed the actions of the lead statement, and a substantial number of the main duties listed in the description of the skilled trade occupation, as set out in the NOC, after becoming qualified to independently practice that occupation.

Requirement 3 - Employment requirements in a skilled trade occupation

You must meet the relevant employment requirements of the skilled trade occupation you specify in your application.

Relevant employment requirements include education, training or other qualifications as set out in the NOC description of your occupation.

Note: You do not need to meet the requirement to obtain a certificate of qualification issued by a competent provincial authority.

Requirement 4 - Offer of employment OR certificate of qualification in a skilled trade occupation

You must have either a qualifying offer of employment (see below) OR a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory in the skilled trade occupation you specify in your application.

You must

• Have an offer of employment from up to two employers for continuous, full-time work in Canada for a total period of at least one year in the skilled trade occupation you specified in your application.
• You do not currently have a work permit and and are not authorized to work in Canada
• You have an offer of employment for continuous, full-time employment for a total period of at least one year in the skilled trade occupation specified in your application once a permanent resident visa is issued from up to two employers (other than an embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada), and who do not appear on the List of Ineligible Employers on the CIC website and
• Your prospective employer has obtained a positive Labour Market Opinion from HRSDC.
• Note:
• You cannot arrange for a Labour Market Opinion from HRSDC. Your employer must do this for you.
• HRSDC will only confirm job offers for skilled trade occupations listed in Skill Level B of the NOC.
• You are not required to meet licensing requirements at the time of application, but a CIC officer must be satisfied that you are capable of performing the job offered to you. If the occupation is regulated in Canada, the officer must also be satisfied that you can be expected to successfully qualify for licensing/certification when in Canada.
• Your offer of employment must be valid at the time your permanent resident visa (if any) is issued.

Source: CIC