The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for people who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.
Requirements
Meet required levels of English or French (CLB 5 equivalent to IELTS 5.0 –Listening, 4.0 –Reading,4.0 –Writing, 5.0 –Speaking)
Meet all job requirements for that skilled trade according to the NOC
Have 2/5 years of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in a skilled trade before application
Have an offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body
Plan to live outside the province of Quebec
Currently eligible groups
Industrial, electrical and construction trades
Maintenance and equipment operation trades
Supervisor and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
Chefs, cooks, butchers and bakers
Full-time employment means that you have to work a total of at least 30 hours over a period of one week for two years in your skilled trade within the five years before you apply.
For example:
Full Time - 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
Part time - 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
OR - 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
Up to two employers can commit to employing you for at least one year of continuous full-time work, meaning a total of at least 30 hours of work per week.
In Canada, provinces and territories issue certificates of qualification in the skilled trades. To get a certificate, the provincial or territorial trades authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you are eligible to write an exam to be certified.
