Skilled trades play a vital role in a knowledge-based economy and are essential to maintain Canada’s competitive position. The Government of Canada and immigration department developed Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in 2013 to address the growing shortage of skilled trade workers in areas that were experiencing rapid growth due to the increasing strength of the economy. The economic immigration program was developed at the request of Canadian businesses and employers who were struggling to find enough skilled trade workers to help them complete their work on time.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.
Minimum program requirements
To qualify under this program, an applicant must:
Important Points
FAQ’s
What is skilled trade?
Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. All occupations under skilled trade are skill type B.
What are trade occupations?
Trade occupations as per National Occupational Classification (NOC) are as follows:
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 7201 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 7202 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 7203 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 7204 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 7205 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 7231 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 7232 | Tool and die makers |
| 7233 | Sheet metal workers |
| 7234 | Boilermakers |
| 7235 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
| 7236 | Ironworkers |
| 7237 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 7241 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 7242 | Industrial electricians |
| 7243 | Power system electricians |
| 7244 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 7245 | Telecommunications line and cable workers |
| 7246 | Telecommunications installation and repair workers |
| 7247 | Cable television service and maintenance technicians |
| 7251 | Plumbers |
| 7252 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 7253 | Gas fitters |
| 7271 | Carpenters |
| 7272 | Cabinetmakers |
| 7281 | Bricklayers |
| 7282 | Concrete finishers |
| 7283 | Tilesetters |
| 7284 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 7291 | Roofers and shinglers |
| 7292 | Glaziers |
| 7293 | Insulators |
| 7294 | Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
| 7295 | Floor covering installers |
| 7301 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 7302 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 7303 | Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
| 7304 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 7305 | Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
| 7311 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 7312 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 7313 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 7314 | Railway carmen/women |
| 7315 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 7316 | Machine fitters |
| 7318 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 7321 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
| 7322 | Motor vehicle body repairers |
| 7331 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
| 7322 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
| 7333 | Electrical mechanics |
| 7334 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
| 7335 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
| 7361 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 7362 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 7371 | Crane operators |
| 7372 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
| 7373 | Water well drillers |
| 7381 | Printing press operators |
| 7384 | Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c. |
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 8211 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 8221 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 8222 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 8231 | Underground production and development miners |
| 8232 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 8241 | Logging machinery operators |
| 8252 | Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers |
| 8255 | Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
| 8261 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 8262 | Fishermen/women |
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 9211 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
| 9212 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
| 9213 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
| 9214 | Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing |
| 9215 | Supervisors, forest products processing |
| 9217 | Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing |
| 9221 | Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling |
| 9222 | Supervisors, electronics manufacturing |
| 9223 | Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing |
| 9224 | Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing |
| 9226 | Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing |
| 9227 | Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly |
| 9231 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 9232 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
| 9235 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
| 9241 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
| 9243 | Water and waste treatment plant operators |
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 6321 | Chefs |
| 6322 | Cooks |
| 6331 | Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
| 6332 | Bakers |
What is Certificate of Qualification?
A Certificate of Qualification proves that a person is qualified to work in certain skilled trade in Canada. Trade certification in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction. Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. With a Certificate of Qualification, applicants prove they have passed a certification exam or met all the requirements to practice their trade in a specific province or territory.
How can I get a Certificate of Qualification from Canada?
Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. You should contact following provincial, territorial, or federal bodies to know more about the process and requirements:
| Province | Department / Regulatory Agency |
| Alberta | Apprenticeship and Industry Training |
| British Columbia | The Industry Training Authority (ITA) |
| Manitoba | Apprenticeship Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Apprenticeship & Trades Certification Division |
| Northwest Territories | Apprenticeship and Trades |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency |
| Nunavut | Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification |
| Ontario | Jobs and Employment |
| Prince Edward Island | Apprenticeship Training and Skilled Trade Certification |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission |
| Yukon | Apprentices and trades |
If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
Do I need an offer of employment to qualify under Federal Skilled Trade program?
Not all trades are regulated in all the provinces. Where a trade is not regulated, an offer of employment from a Canadian employer may help. Tradespeople who have an offer of employment for one year or more in their trade from a Canadian employer are eligible to apply.