What is the Federal Skilled
Trades Program?
The Federal Skilled Trades Program, or FSTP for short, is one of the many Canadian immigration programs. These programs are designed for individuals who want to enter and settle down in Canada. The FSTP is specifically designed only for skilled tradespeople and their family members who want to achieve permanent residency in Canada via a specific trade that is in high-demand.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is managed by the Express Entry system. Other immigration programs operate through the Express Entry system, including the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Provincial Nominee Program also allows people to apply for Canadian immigration through the Express Entry system or using the “traditional” application method. Foreign skilled workers with at least two years of full-time work experience within the last five years can apply for the FSTP if they fall into any of the qualifying trades and meet all of the other criteria. These qualifying trades are based on the most in-demand jobs in Canada that are listed by the Federal Government.
Canada’s economy and infrastructure will continue to grow and with this growth comes an increase in demand for skilled tradespeople across this vast country. Thousands of Canadian job opportunities are popping up due to the expansion of the economy and as millions of older workers retire from the labor force. These include many skilled trades, but there aren’t enough local skilled workers available to fill all of these open positions. This is why the Federal Skilled Trades Program was established; to utilize the aid of foreign skilled workers or tradespeople who are interested in immigrating to Canada.
The Express
Entry System
The Express Entry system is used by several Canadian immigration programs. One of them is the FSTP – Federal Skilled Trades Program. Express Entry is used as an efficient online system to oversee the management of millions of applications for permanent residency in Canada from skilled workers. Applicants need to enter details about their education, work experience, English and French language skills, immediate family members who will immigrate to Canada, and other relevant information. Once they are done, they can submit their Express Entry profile for review by the Canadian immigration officials.
If an applicant is deemed eligible, they will be accepted into the Express Entry pool with other candidates. Express Entry uses a point-based Comprehensive Ranking System, which ranks applicants according to the information they entered in their online profile and various selection factors. Candidates in the pool who have the highest point scores, those who receive a nomination for a Provincial Nominee Program, or applicants who get a qualifying Canadian job offer may be given an Invitation to Apply – for Permanent Residency in Canada!
Eligibility Requirements
You need to meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The minimum requirements are as follows:
1. Pass the required English or French language levels for each of these abilities:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Listening
2. The applicant must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a qualified skilled trade within the previous 5 years before sending an application for the FSTP.
3. The applicant must also meet the job requirements for their specific skilled trade according to the NOC or National Occupational Classification (with the exception of a certificate of qualification).
4. The applicant must currently have a valid full-time Canadian job offer lasting at least one year or be in possession of a certificate of qualification in their specific skilled trade. This can be issued by a Canadian territorial, provincial, or even federal authority.
Required Experience
in Skilled Work
All of the eligible trades in the FSTP are listed under major and minor groups using the National Occupational Classification. The groups are as follows:
- Industrial, Construction, and Electrical Trades
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance Trades
- Supervisors and other technical jobs in agriculture, natural resources, and production associated with these sectors
- Central control operators, utility supervisors, manufacturing, and processing
- Cooks and chefs
- Bakers and butches
You need to have proof that you have actually worked in one of the eligible occupations and performed all of the essential duties as well as the majority of the main duties shown for the trade.
Required Education Level
Currently, there is no requirement for an education level when applying for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, you can improve your ranking in the Express Entry pool by providing proof that you’ve completed a high school or post-secondary education in Canada. You can also get points by receiving an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) from an authorized organization which shows that the high school or post-secondary education you received outside of Canada is equal to a diploma, degree, or certificate from the Canadian education system. If you have any of these, you should include it on your Express Entry profile to increase your chances of being added to the pool and receiving an ITA.
Proof of Funds
To be able to receive permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants need to show proof that they have the necessary funds to move to Canada and get settled. A skilled immigrant must have enough financial resources to pay for his or her living expenses and those of accompanying family members after moving to Canada.
Applicants are exempted from this rule if they currently can work in Canada legally and have received a valid Canadian job offer.
You can show proof of your income via official letters from your bank or other financial institutions. If you have a valid Canadian job offer, your employer in Canada can provide an official letter. The letters showing that you have adequate financial resources to take care of yourself and your family when you move to Canada must contain certain information (further details can be provided during the process).
Benefits of the FSTP
There are plenty of benefits for foreign tradespeople who want to bring their family to live in Canada. When approved for Express Entry immigration via the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the tradesman and their family will receive various benefits. All of the family members will be allowed to work, study, and live in Canada for an indefinite amount of time. They get to access free public healthcare, and the option to invest in properties or a permanent home. The family can even act as sponsors for family members outside of Canada who are interested in settling in the country too. On top of that, after living in Canada as a permanent resident for three years and satisfying other criteria, an immigrant can apply to become a Canadian citizen. These are only a few of the benefits that a skilled tradesman and their family can enjoy through the FSTP.
