FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES

The Canadian Federal Skilled Trades program is a new Canadian immigration program for people who want to become Canadian permanent residents based on being in a qualified skilled trade. Applications are assessed based upon the applicant’s ability to become economically established in Canada.

Note: This Canadian immigration program began in January 2013 and it will only be accepting up to 3,000 applications within the first year, and no more than 100 new applications per year for certain jobs. At the bottom of this page you will see which applications are currently being accepted under this program.

Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to apply:• Applicants must intend to live outside the province of Quebec (if you plan to live in Quebec please see the Quebec Skilled Worker Program page of our website).• Applicants must meet the language requirements in French or English for each language ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening)• Applicants must have a minimum of two years work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within five years before the submission of their application.• Applicants must meet all the job requirements for the particular skilled trade, as described in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);• Applicants must have a “full-time offer of employment”* for a period of at least one year OR a “Certificate of Qualification” for their skilled trade which has been issued by a provincial or territorial body in Canada.

*Full-time employment is defined as at least 30 hours of work per week, or the equivalent in part-time work (including situations where you have two part time jobs).

*Certificate of Qualification are issued by provinces or territories. The governing bodies that issue such certificates will assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you are eligible to write the corresponding exam to be certified. Note that each province has their own procedure and regulatory bodies to issue Certificates of Qualification.