Federal Skilled Trade

The Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) is a program that allows experienced, skilled trade foreign workers to immigrate to Canada.

The Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) program allows experienced skilled trade foreign workers with a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification to become permanent residents in any Canadian province or territory besides Quebec.

FSTC candidates may have lower CRS scores than other candidates in the Express Entry pool because they are not required to prove their level of education.

The IRCC has held program-specific draws for FSTC candidates with lower CRS scores.

Federal Skilled Trades Class Requirements

• Meet the basic language proficiency which meets the minimum threshold set by the Minister: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing;
• Have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority;
• Meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification;
• Provide proof that you have obtained 2 years of full-time work experience in the skilled trade in the five years prior to your application;
• Be able to demonstrate the skills and experience in the essential duties as performed in that occupation;
• There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program;
• You must show that you have sufficient funds for you and your family to settle in Canada; and
• Are currently able to legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Skilled Work Experience Eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Class Falls under the Following Categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

• 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, and
• Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.

FSTC candidates must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.

If you plan on immigrating to Quebec, please contact TWA for more information.