Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Federal Skilled Trades program is one of the three programs to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry on the basis of Skills and previous work experience. The requirements of this program are:

  1. Skilled Work Experience: You must have at least 2 years of full time or equivalent part time experience in a skilled trade in the last 5 years.
  2. Job offer: You should have a full time job offer for at least 1 year or a Certificate of Qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian Provincial, territorial of federal authority. 
  3. Language Ability: You must take an approved language test in either English or French. The minimum required score is CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing. 
  4. Education: There is no minimum requirement of education for this program, however you can get additional score for your education equivalent or above the level of Canadian secondary school (high school). You will need to get your educational credentials evaluated to claim these points.
  5. Proof of Funds: You must show that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family members for at least 1 year in Canada. However, this condition is waived if you are currently working in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
  6. Admissibility: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you don’t have any issues such as criminal history or serious health problems that could prevent you from immigrating.
  7. Express Entry: The FSW is managed under the Express Entry system, and if your CRS score is high enough, you’ll be invited to apply for permanent residence.

Trades eligible to qualify for Federal Skilled Trades Program are those classified under the following groups of National Occupational Classification (NOC):

  • Major Group 72 which includes technical trades and transportation officers and controllers excluding Sub-major Group 726; transportation officers and controllers
  • Major Group 73; general trades
  • Major Group 82; supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
  • Major Group 83; occupations in natural resources and related production
  • Major Group 92; processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor, and operators and controllers
  • Major Group 93 including central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-major group 932; aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Minor Group 6320; cooks, butchers and bakers
  • Unit Group 62200; chefs

If your trade is one that is regulated by provinces or Federal Government then find out details about how to get certified from the links given below:

The occupations and jobs eligible to apply for Federal Skilled Trades Program in each major group are as under:

Major Group 72:
  • Industrial, Electrical and Construction trades
  • Contractors and Supervisors in Machining, Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting, Electrical, Telecommunications, Pipefitting, Carpentry, and Construction Trades,
  • Machinists, Machining and Tooling Inspectors,
  • Tool and Die Makers, Sheet Metal Workers, Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters, Boilermakers, Ironworkers and Welders,
  • Electrical Trades, Electrical Power Line and Telecommunication Workers,
  • Plumbers, Pipefitters and Gas Fitters,
  • Carpenters and Cabinetmakers,
  • Masonry and Plastering Trades,
  • Roofers, Glaziers, Insulators, and Painters
Major Group 73:
  • Maintenance and Equipment Operation trades
  • Contractors and Supervisors for maintenance trades and heavy equipment and Transport Operators,
  • Construction millwrights, Industrial Mechanics, Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics,
  • Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanics,
  • Railways Carmen/women, Aircraft Mechanics,
  • Machine Fitters and Elevator Mechanics,
  • Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, Motor vehicle Body Repairers,
  • Oil Mechanics,
  • Appliance Servicers and Repairers, Electrical Mechanics,
  • Motorcycle, All-terrain Vehicle and Small Engine Mechanics,
  • Railway Engineers, Conductors and Brakemen/women,
  • Crane Operators, Drillers and Blasters,
  • Printing Press Operators
Major Group 82:
  • Supervisors and Technical jobs in Natural Resources, Agriculture and related production
  • Supervisors in Logging and Forestry,
  • Contractors and Supervisors in Mining, Oil and Gas,
  • Underground Miners, Oil and Gas Drillers,
  • Logging Machinery Operators,
  • Contractors and Supervisors in Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscaping,
  • Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock workers,
  • Fishing Vessel Masters and Fishermen/women 
Major Group 83:
  • Underground production and development miners
  • Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
  • Logging machinery operators
  • Fishing masters and officers
  • Fishermen/women
Major Group 92:
  • Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities Supervisor and Central Control operators,
  • Supervisors in Mineral and Metal Processing, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing,
  • Supervisors in Food and Beverage Processing, Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing, Forest Products Processing,
  • Supervisors in textile, Fabric, Fur and Leather Products Processing and manufacturing,
  • Supervisors in Assembly, Fabrication and Manufacturing,
  • Control and Process Operators in Mineral and Metal Processing, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing,
  • Pulping, Papermaking and Coating Control Operators,
  • Power Engineers, Power System Operators, Water and Waste Treatment Plant Operators
Major Group 93: 

(Excluding Sub Group 932):

  • Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
  • Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
  • Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
Minor Group 6320:
  • Cooks
  • Butchers
  • Bakers
Unit Group 62200:
  • Chefs

*The list may not be exhaustive and up-to-date. It is best to visit the official website to check for the trades eligible at the time of your application.