Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program ?
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the pathways under Canada’s Express Entry system that allows skilled tradespeople to gain Canadian Permanent Residency (PR). This program targets individuals with qualifications and work experience in specific skilled trades, offering them an opportunity to settle in Canada permanently.
To apply for the FSTP, applicants must first create and complete their online Express Entry profile. This profile includes information about the applicant’s skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details. Once submitted, the profile is entered into the Express Entry pool, where it is ranked against other candidates based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The highest-ranking candidates are then invited to apply for PR.
For employers seeking to hire foreign skilled workers through the FSTP, they must make a qualifying job offer, specifying the desired occupation and ensuring the job is in a skilled trade that meets the program’s criteria. This job offer can significantly enhance an applicant’s CRS score, increasing their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for PR.
Applicant Requirement for FSTP
- Willing to live outside the province of Quebec.
- Language ability in English or French in terms of speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
- Minimum 2 years of full-time or an equal amount of part-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation in the past 5 years before applying.
- Meeting job requirements according to National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Must have full-time employment job offer for a minimum 1 year, or certificate of qualification as issued by a Canadian provincial or territory.
- To gain extra points, applicants’ can show Canadian post-secondary educational certificate, diploma or degree or equivalent completed foreign diploma, degree or trade apprenticeship issued by a recognized educational institute.
There are five main requirements for FSTP:
Required Work Experience
At least 2 years of experience in a job listed in the National Occupational Classification (in specific major and minor groups) within the last five years must be held to apply to the Federal Skilled Trades program. This can be achieved through:
- Full-time paid work experience (in one or several jobs) or the equivalent in continued part-time employment.
- Proof of payment for this work in wages or commissions must be provided.
- Application could also be considered if a full-time job offer for at least one year is held or a trade qualification certificate issued by a Canadian authority is submitted.
NOC Listing
Two years of work experience in one or more occupations listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in the following occupational groups must be held:
- Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction
- Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation
- Major Group 82: Supervision and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervision and central operators
- Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers
Valid Temporary Residence
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades program, work experience must be gained. This experience could be obtained either outside Canada or within Canada by holding a temporary residence status with authorization to work.
Language Proficiency
A minimum score of four points on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for reading and writing abilities and a score of five points CLB for speaking and listening are required; or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) must be met according to your NOC job position. Evaluation will be based on all four language abilities:
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
Proof of Funds
Eligibility as a Federal Skilled Trades candidate requires proof of having enough money to support yourself and accompanying family members to settle in Canada. This requirement is not applied if legal work in Canada is currently held or if a valid job offer from a Canadian employer is possessed.
Education
- A Canadian secondary or post-secondary education certificate is held, or
- An Educational Credential Assessment is provided to prove that a foreign certificate is equivalent to one obtained in Canadian institutions.
- Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction.
- Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operator.
- Major Group 82, supervisor and technical job in natural resources, agriculture and related.
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utility supervisor and central control operator.
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks.
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers.
