Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. This program was launched in 2013 with the objective to offer a dedicated immigration pathway to skilled trades workers.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is part of a major effort by federal and provincial governments to welcomed more skilled trades workers to Canada to addressing labour shortages in trades occupations.

Requirements For Federal Skilled Trades Program

To be eligible for the program, applicant must meet the required language levels for each language ability in

• writing
• reading
• listening
• speaking

Applicant must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before they apply.

Applicant work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count for the program)

Applicant must meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification

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

Skilled Work Experience For Federal Skilled Trades Program

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.