Federal Skilled Trades
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the three programs under the Express Entry system. It uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank and invites applicants qualified in a skilled trade.
The primary eligibility for FSTP includes work experience in a skilled trade National Occupation Classification (NOC) code within or outside Canada.
The eligibility criteria include:
Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of regular full-time employment (or equivalent part-time) experience, within the past five years in a skilled trade which may not be continuous but acquired after obtaining the correspondent qualifications to perform such a job.
Job offer: A valid offer of full-time employment for a period of at least one year from up to 2 Canadian employers.
Certification: Alternative to a job offer, have a Certificate of Qualification in the said skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
Language Proficiency: A minimum language ability of CLB 5 in speaking and listening and a minimum of CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Which are the eligible NOCs for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The Federal Skilled Trades Programs requires you to have experience in one of the positions in the following NOC codes:
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 utility supervisors and central control operators.
Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers
What is a certificate of qualification?
A ‘certificate of qualification’ or a ‘qualification certificate’ is issued by the body that governs trades in a Canadian province or territory or by a federal body. This certificate proves your qualification to practice a particular skilled trade in Canada upon:
Passing a certification exam and meeting all the requirements to practice the said trade in that province or territory.
