Trade Occupations and the Express Entry System
October 29, 2024
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With a growing demand for qualified workers in various trades, Canada offers numerous opportunities if you are looking to build a future in the vibrant North American country. Trade occupations play a crucial role in Canada’s economy, and the Express Entry system provides a streamlined pathway for skilled tradespeople seeking Canadian permanent residency. Understanding how trade occupations fit into the Express Entry framework is essential if you are aiming to navigate the immigration process successfully.
Want to know if you qualify for an Express Entry as a foreign trade worker? Then, look at our guide, which offers insight into requirements, strategies, and opportunities for trade workers who want Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry and related programs.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a specialized pathway in the Express Entry system that helps qualified tradespeople get Canadian permanent residence. The program acknowledges skilled trades workers' essential contributions to Canada's economy and provides an efficient immigration process.
Eligibility Requirements For the FSTP
Candidates need at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled trade during the five years before applying. After receiving certification, they must get this experience to practice the trade in their country of residence. In addition, they must meet Canada's simple admissibility requirements and plan to live outside Quebec.
Work Experience and Job Offer Criteria
Candidates who want to qualify under the FSTP need a valid job offer with full-time employment lasting at least 12 months. A certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority in their skilled trade can also qualify them. Their Canadian work experience should show that they completed all duties of their trade occupation and worked independently during this time.
Qualifying Skilled Trade Categories
Skilled workers from specific NOC groups can apply to this program:
- Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades,
- Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades,
- Major Group 82: Supervisors in natural resources and agriculture,
- Major Group 92: Processing and manufacturing supervisors,
- Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks, and
- Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers.
Eligible candidates must submit their Express Entry profile to receive a CRS score. This score places them in the pool for potential Invitation to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence. Qualified tradespeople will find this program particularly appealing since it has accepted candidates with CRS scores as low as 199 points, making it a readily available option.
Language Requirements For Trade Occupations
Language proficiency is the life-blood requirement for trade workers who want permanent residence through Canada's immigration programs. The assessment system will allow candidates to communicate daily at work.
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Levels
The FSTP sets specific Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels as language requirements. English language candidates need these minimum scores.
| Language Ability | Minimum CLB Level |
|---|---|
| Speaking | CLB 5 |
| Listening | CLB 5 |
| Reading | CLB 4 |
| Writing | CLB 4 |
Language Requirements For Trade Occupations
French language candidates must meet similar Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) requirements that match CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
Accepted Language Tests
Applicants must prove their language proficiency through these government-approved tests. English Tests you can take and submit include:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (General Training),
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General), and
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core.
French Tests include:
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada,
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada.
The test results stay valid two years after their issue date. Applicants must have valid results while creating their Express Entry profile and submitting their permanent residence application.
Importance of Language Skills in The Selection Process
Language skills significantly affect a candidate's success in the Express Entry system. Research shows that language ability ranks among the key factors that predict immigrant success, along with pre-landing Canadian work experience. A candidate's strong language skills boost their employment prospects and social integration, making them essential in calculating the CRS score.
Trade workers may not need advanced language mastery to perform their jobs well. However, they need good communication skills to maintain workplace safety and work effectively with others. These minimum requirements strike a practical balance between job needs and integration abilities.
Provincial Nominee Programs for Skilled Trades
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) provides a significant immigration pathway that helps provinces meet their skilled trade workforce requirements. The PNP has become one of Canada's quickest ways to attract and retain skilled trade workers since its launch in 1998.
Overview of PNPs Targeting Trades
PNPs exist throughout Canada, and each province and territory manages its unique nomination system, though Quebec and Nunavut do not participate. These programs help fill regional labor gaps and meet economic requirements in skilled trade sectors. Provinces select qualified candidates through Express Entry pools or direct applications and provide enhanced and base nomination streams.
Benefits of Provincial Nomination
Skilled trade workers gain these essential benefits through provincial nomination:
- Your Express Entry profile gets 600 CRS points automatically,
- Processing completes faster (usually within 6 months),
- Qualification requirements are lower than those of federal programs,
- You get a clear path to Canadian permanent residence, and
- Province's support services become available to you.
Notable PNP Streams For Tradespeople
The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream in Ontario leads the way among provincial initiatives that target trade workers. Trade workers with Ontario work experience in eligible skilled trades can apply through this stream without a job offer or employer sponsorship.
Provincial application fees vary by region:
| Province | Application Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 2,085.52 - 2,780.69 |
| British Columbia | 2,050.46 - 4,865.50 |
| Alberta | 695.07 |
| Nova Scotia | No Fee |
PNP immigrants show excellent results in the labor market with impressive employment rates and wages. These outcomes stem from the program's success in connecting skilled workers with each province's specific needs and its focus on Canadian work experience and professional qualifications.
Strategies to Improve Express Entry Prospects for Tradespeople
The Express Entry system rewards careful preparation and ongoing efforts to improve qualifying factors. Skilled trade workers can substantially boost their chances when focusing on essential CRS aspects.
Enhancing Language Proficiency
Language proficiency is among the most effective factors in the Express Entry system. Strong language skills in a single language can earn candidates up to 260 points. The recommended approach has the following:
| Language Level | CRS Points |
|---|---|
| CLB 9+ | 160 |
| CLB 7-8 | 128 |
| CLB 5-6 | 96 |
Candidates should retake language tests if their original scores do not maximize points. Higher scores in future attempts can be achieved through regular practice with online resources, language exchange programs, and professional coaching.
Gaining Canadian Work Experience
Canadian work experience offers significant advantages in the Express Entry system. Skilled trade workers can improve their profiles in several ways:
- Getting temporary work permits from Canadian employers,
- Building experience in their designated trade,
- Creating professional networks in their industry, and
- Getting employer references and documentation.
Research shows that candidates with Canadian work experience have better success in the labor market, which makes this aspect valuable during selection.
Getting Relevant Certifications And Qualifications
A Certificate of Qualification in a skilled trade can substantially boost your career prospects. This certification validates your competency to practice the trade according to Canadian standards. The certification process includes these steps:
- Provincial authorities assess your skills and experience,
- You complete the required examinations,
- You meet practical work requirements, and
- You submit qualification documents.
Your certificate adds up to 50 more CRS points without requiring a job offer. Certification requirements differ across provinces and trade categories within the NOC system. Skilled trades workers should keep their Express Entry profiles active even with lower scores. Specialized draws under the FSTP typically need lower CRS scores than standard draws.
FAQs
What Are Trade Occupations?
Trade occupations generally refer to professions in the building and construction sectors that require formal qualifications. Examples include carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, and painters/decorators.
Am I Allowed to Stay And Work in Canada While My Work Permit Extension is Processed in Canada?
Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) do not need to show proof of funds. However, proof of funds is a requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the FSTP.
Can I Change Employers While Applying For a Work Permit Extension in Canada?
Yes, jobs classified under Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category 3 are eligible for Express Entry, provided they meet specific criteria. The job must be full-time, non-seasonal, last at least one year, and be skilled as defined by the NOC.