FEDERAL SKILLED TRADE CLASS
The Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) program focuses on individuals with specific trade skills and work experience in fields such as construction, repairs, HVAC, welding, and other trades. Candidates need to meet criteria such as having trade certifications, work experience, and meeting the required English or French language proficiency levels.
Eligibility
- You must meet all the minimum requirements to be eligible.
- Meet the required language levels for the job
- CLB 5 for speaking and listening
- CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experiencein a skilled trade within 5 years before you apply
- Your work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count)
- Meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification
- Has job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or
- Has certification of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE
Skilled trades for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these groups of the National Occupational Classification (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
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers
The major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations, and they are all skill type B.
You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.
The work experience only counts after you qualified to independently practice the occupation.
There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
How to Apply
Create your Express Entry profile
If you receive an invitation to apply on or after June 29, 2021, you must submit your application for permanent residence within 60 days.
Fees & processing time
For your application: $1,325
Include your spouse: $1,325
Include a dependent child: $225
Processing time: 6 months