Federal Skilled Trade (FST) Program

The Federal Skilled Trade Program is one of the ways in which potential immigrants with eligibility status or foreign trade workers with requisite work experience or skills in eligible trade occupation can relocate or migrate to Canada as Permanent residents. It is under the administration of the Express Entry Immigration System. The Federal Skilled Trade Program was created by the Canadian Government with the sole aim of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in Canada.

 Federal Skilled Trade Program was created in 2013 by the Canadian Government With the purpose of addressing the shortage of skilled workers in Canada in provinces or territories experiencing rapid economic growth. With the increasing complain by Canadian Businesses and employers of shortage of skilled or experienced workers, the Federal Skilled Trade Program was birth alongside other economic immigration programs.    

Eligibility for Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)       

The first step to take is to check if you are eligible or qualify for the Federal Skilled Trade program. There are a lot of factors that determine if one is qualify for the FSTP, these factors are predicated on the ability of the applicant to adapt and establish themselves economically in Canada. The following factors will determine if you are eligible to apply or not.

1. Language Proficiency

Canada has two official languages; are English and French. Anyone who wishes to migrate to Canada using the Federal Skilled Trade Program must prove that he is proficient in one of the languages. This is done by taking language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or if the person is proficient in French, he or she can take the Test d’evaluation de Francais (TEF). The test entails Writing, reading, listening and speaking. Applicant must score a minimum of ‘5’ Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in listening and speaking, and “4” CLB in Reading and Writing in the Language test.

It is important to note, IELT, CELPIP and TEF languages tests must be done with the approved Agency of the Immigration, Refugees and Canada Citizenship (IRCC).

• Requisite Work Experience

Applicant must have a minimum of two years experience in the trade or job role he or she is applying for on a full-time basis within five years in which application is submitted. The National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups determine eligible skilled trade under the Federal Skilled Trade Program.  The NOC groups are further divided into various occupations with the required skill, which is skill Type B.

Below is the National Occupation Classification categories.

Major Group 72, this consist

• Industrial
• Electrical
• Construction

Major Group 73, this consist

• Maintenance
• Equipment Operation

Major Group 82. This consist

• Technicians and Supervisors in Natural Resources
• Agriculture

Major Group 92. This consist

• Central control Operators
• Utility Supervisors
• Processing and Manufacturing

Minor Group 632. This consist

• Chef and Cook

Minor Group 633. This consist;

• Butchers and Bakers.

Minor Group 723. This consist of Metal Forming, Machining, shaping and erecting trades.

Minor Group 724. This Consist Electrical Trade, Electrical Power line and Telecommunication workers.

• 7241 Electricians excluding Industrial and Power system
• 7242 Industrial Electricians
• 7243 Power System Electrician
• 7244 Cable and electrical power line workers
• 7245 Telecommunications line and Cable Workers.
• 7246 Telecommunication installation and repair workers
• 7247 Cable Television service and maintenance technician.

Minor Group 725. This consist of plumbers, gas fitters and pipefitters

• 7251 Plumber
• 7252 system installers, pipe fitters, sprinklers, and steamfitters.
• 7253 Gas fitters

Minor Group 727 Cabinet makers and Carpenters

• 7271 Carpenters
• 7272 Cabinet Makers

Minor Group 728 consist of plastering trades and Masonry

• 7281 Bricklayers
• 7282 Concrete finishers
• 7283 Tiles setters
• 7284 Drywall installer, finisher, lathers and Plasterers.

Minor Group 729. This consists of other construction trades.

• 7291 Roofers
• 7292 Glaziers
• 7293 Insulators
• 7294 Decorators (excluding interior Decorators) and Painters.
• 7295 Floor covering installer

Major Group 730. This consist of Supervisors, contractors, maintenance trade and Heavy equipment transport operators.

• 7301 Mechanic trades, supervisors and contractors
• 7302 Supervisors, contractors, maintenance trade and Heavy equipment crews.
• 7303 Supervisors and Printing.
• 7304 Railway transport operation and supervisor.
• 7305 Supervisors, Motor Transport ground transit operators.

Minor Group 731. This consist of Transportation equipment mechanics and Machinery excluding motor vehicles.

• 7311 Industrial Mechanics and construction millwright.
• 7312 Heavy-duty equipment Mechanics
• 7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning
• 7314 Railway Carmen/women
• 7315 Aircraft inspector’s aircraft mechanics
• 7316 Machine fitters
• 7318 Mechanics and Elevator constructors

Minor Group 732. This consist of an Automotive Technician.

• 7321 Truck and bus mechanics, mechanical repairers, and Automotive Service technician.
• 7322 Motor vehicle body repairers.

Minor 733. This consist

• 7331 oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
• 7332 Appliance servicers and repairers
• 7333 Electrical Mechanics
• 7334 all-terrain vehicle Motorcycle and related mechanics

Minor Group 736. This consist of train crew operating occupations.

• 7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineer
• 7362 Railway conductor and brakemen/women

Minor 737 Group. This consist of driller, blasters and crane operators

• 7371 Crane Operators
• 7372 Driller, blasters-surface mining, construction and quarrying
• 7373 Water WELL DRILLERS
• Permanent Job offers

Applicant must have gotten a full-time job offer from a Canadian company or employer of labour for at least for a period of one year, or a certificate of qualification to practice from a province or Federal governing body in Canada. The applicant is required to submit proof of employment while submit his or her application.

• Financial Proof

Applicants are required to show proof of financial capacity and ability to bankroll his or her family stays in Canada. 

• Work outside Quebec

The Federal Skilled Trade Program is not for those whose desire is to work and live in Quebec. Quebec has its own established skilled immigration program named, Quebec Skilled Trade Program. The Federal Skilled Trade Program is designed for immigrants who wish to work and live in the following areas in Canada.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward
• Newfoundland
• Saskatchewan

Immigrants through the FSTP program can stay permanently, but the visa issued initially comes with a five years validity which can be extended before the expiration. Recently a new feature was added to the Federal Skilled Trade Program to ensures that immigrants who came to Canada through FSTP adhere to the law of the land.

Conclusion

 FSTP is also an opportunity for immigrants to apply for Canadian Citizenship.