This program is for one of three options for those seeking to become a permanent resident by belonging to a skilled trade. The Federal Skilled Trades Program is managed under the express entry system.
There are three main minimum requirements one must meet for the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
– Work experience under the skilled trades category;
– A job offer or a certificate of qualifications;
– Language requirements.
Requirement #1: What is skilled trades work experience?
Skilled trades work experience under the Federal Skilled Trades Program for Express Entry is defined under specific parameters, which include:
- 2 years of full time work experience—which is 30 hours per week for 24 months—or equivalent part time work experience—which is either 15 hours per week for 48 months or 30 hours per week for 24 months while working more than 1 job;
- Meet the job requirements outlined in the National Occupation Classification (NOC);
- Performed actions that are described in the NOC as
- The main duties of your job.
- In the lead statement of the NOC job description.
What are specific job titles that fall under “skilled trades”?
According to the IRCC website, your work experiences must be within any of the following areas:
- Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
- Major Group 73, general trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
- Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
- Unit Group 62200, chefs
Requirement #2: What is a job offer or a certificate of qualifications?
A job offer is defined in the following ways by IRCC:
- A valid offer of employment with start date, employer name and address, Labour market impact assessment number, National Occupational Classification (NOC) code available.
- The job offer must be written, recent, and describe details about the job.
A certificate of qualification is defined as:
- Proof that you’re qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada;
- Meet the criteria to practise the trade in a region in Canada;
- A certificate issued by a federal body or a body governing trades in the province or territory.
To find the body responsible for trades in your province or territory, please visit the relevant links for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.
If the trade in question is not located in the websites above, the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials offers an advanced search tool.
Requirement #3: What is language ability?
This is met when you:
- Take a language test recognised by IRCC and meet the score expectations in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Additional qualification: Education
There is no educational requirement, but your profile for permanent residency through the express entry system could be boosted by showing that you have been educated in a manner that is consistent with IRCC’s outlined framework:
- This could be Canadian or foreign
- If you have been educated in Canada:
- It must be demonstrated through a degree, certificate or diploma;
- At a secondary institution/high school or;
- A post-secondary institution.
- If you have been educated outside Canada, you must meet two requirements:
- You must have a completed educational credential;
- You must have an Educational Credential Assessment for Express Entry.
Additional qualification: Education
It is also required to demonstrate that you have the funds for you and your family to settle in Canada. Proof of funds involves”
- A work permit allowing you to legally work in Canada;
- A valid job offer;
- Meet the funds requirements outlined by IRCC here and obtain relevant documentation to prove the same.
Sawubona Canada is equipped to help you with the application process towards permanent residency every step of the way. Contact us for a consultation today.
