Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): An Overview
The Canadian government launched the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) to promote skilled tradespeople to migrate to Canada to grow the economy. The program was designed to cater to the needs of skilled trade workers such as electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters, butchers, bakers, and others. The Canadian economy requires skilled tradespeople to fill up the gap in industries across the country.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of Canada’s economic immigration programs managed and operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To be eligible for this program, one needs a valid job offer, certificate or proof of qualification, and language proficiency.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the following criteria need to be fulfilled:
Work Experience
The applicant needs to have at least two years of full-time work experience or an equivalent amount of part-time experience in a skilled trade in one of the following areas:
- Industrial, Electrical and Construction Trades
- Maintenance and Equipment Operation Trades
- Supervisors and Technical Jobs in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production
- Chefs and Cooks
- Butchers and Bakers
Language Proficiency
The applicant needs to prove proficiency in either English or French by taking an approved language test and achieving a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
Education and Training
The applicant either:
- Has a Canadian diploma, certificate, or trade qualification, OR
- Has an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization.
Job Offer
The applicant needs to have a full-time job offer in Canada of at least one year from up to two employers in Canada, in one of the following skilled trades:
- NOC 72 – Industrial, electrical and construction trades
- NOC 73 – Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- NOC 82 – Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- NOC 632 – Chefs and cooks
- NOC 633 – Butchers and bakers
How to Apply for Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
To apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), follow the below steps:
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Determine eligibility by checking the required criteria and submitting language test results and ECA (if applicable).
Step 2: Find a Job in Canada
Find a job offer from a Canadian employer for at least one year.
Step 3: Apply Online
Apply online by submitting the application form and the required supporting documents.
Step 4: Wait for Response
Wait for a response from IRCC. The application after submission gets processed within six months.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to process the application for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The application processing time for the Federal Skilled Trades Program takes approximately six months.
2. Are there any exemptions to the language requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
No, there are no exemptions to the language requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, language proficiency requirements may be reduced for certain trade-skills.
3. What are the proof of qualification documents that can be submitted for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Proof of qualification documents include Canadian certification, licensing, or accreditation documents, provincial or territorial certificates of qualification, and trade qualifications from another country.
4. What is the NOC code in the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) code is a four-digit code that represents an occupation category. In the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the NOC code is used to identify skilled trades that match the job offer.
5. What happens if my job offer expires before my application is processed?
If the job offer expires before your application is processed, you may not get selected for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It’s best to secure a new job offer and update your application as soon as possible.