Federal Skilled Trades Program

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

On this page

• Skilled trade sectors
• Skilled trades work experience
• Job offer or certificate of qualification
• Language ability
• Education
• Proof of funds
• Admissibility
• Where you can live in Canada

Skilled trade sectors

Skilled trades need specialized knowledge and hands-on work. You’ll need an apprenticeship for most trades.

Skilled tradespeople may work in sectors such as:

• construction
• transportation
• manufacturing and industrial
• natural resources and agriculture

Skilled trades work experience

First, find out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your job. Then check if it meets the requirements for skilled work experience.

Find your NOC

Your skilled work experience must:

• all be in the same NOC and be in 1 of these NOC groups:
  • Major Groups 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932)
  • Minor Group 6320
  • Unit Group 62200
• show that you performed:
  • the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and
  • most of the main duties listed
• meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC
• be paid work
  • You must have been paid wages or earned commission (volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count).
• have been obtained in a country where you were qualified to practice
• be at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or 3,120 hours total) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply

If you worked in more than one country

Your work experience only counts if you were qualified to practise that trade where you got your work experience.

If you were qualified in one country but worked in another country with different rules for practising your trade, you must have also met the requirements to practise there independently.

Part-time work experience

For part-time work, you can work more or less than 15 hours/week as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours. You can work more than 1 part-time job to get the hours you need to apply.

We don’t count any hours you work above 30 hours/week.

Student work experience

Work experience gained while you were studying doesn't count towards minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Job offer or certificate of qualification

You must have either:

• a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year, or
• a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority

Certificate of qualification

A certificate of qualification (or a qualification certificate) proves you’re qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. This means you:

• passed a certification exam
• meet all the requirements to practise your trade in the province or territory that issued your certificate

This certificate is issued by:

• the provincial or territorial body that governs trades in their province or territory, or
• a federal authority

To get a certificate, the provincial, territorial or federal authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you’re eligible to write a certification exam.

Get assessed by the province or territory

Each province and territory has its own:

• certificate of qualification requirements, and
• certification process

You may:

• have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for your trade
• need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training

To learn more about getting assessed, visit the website of the body that governs trades for the province or territory where you want to live and work:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

If the province or territory where you plan to live and work doesn’t give certificates of qualification in your trade, you’ll need a valid job offer in your trade to be eligible for this program.

If your trade is federally regulated

If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanics).

Find out who regulates your trade and how to get assessed through the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.

Language ability

You must:

• take approved language tests in English or French
• meet the minimum score in all 4 abilities:
  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking

Education

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

If you want to improve your rank in the pool

There are 2 ways you can improve your rank in the Express Entry pool:

1. If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution.
2. If you have foreign education, you can get points if you have both of these:
   • a completed educational credential
   • an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.

You don't need proof of funds if you:

• are currently able to legally work in Canada, and
• have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Some people aren’t allowed to come to Canada. There are different reasons we may not let you into Canada, such as security, criminal or medical reasons.

Where you can live in Canada

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

When you fill out your profile, we’ll ask you where you plan to live in Canada. You don’t have to settle in that province or territory.

If you’re a Provincial Nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.