The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) is one of the immigration pathways under Canada’s Express Entry system, designed for skilled workers who are qualified in specific skilled trades and want to become permanent residents of Canada. The program is tailored for individuals with experience in trades like construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and related occupations.
Key Features of the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Work Experience: You must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- Trade Certification: You must either:
- Have a valid job offer of full-time employment from up to two Canadian employers for at least 1 year, or
- Hold a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
- Skilled Trades: Your work experience must be in a trade listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups for skill level B, which includes occupations such as:
- Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
- Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Language Proficiency: You must meet the required language proficiency levels:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening.
- CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Education: There is no minimum education requirement, but having higher education can improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Who Can Apply?
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- Skilled Trades Workers: Individuals who are experienced in specific skilled trades listed under the NOC skill level B. Examples include electricians, plumbers, welders, and chefs.
- Certified Tradespersons: If you have a provincial or territorial certificate of qualification for your trade, you can apply without a job offer.
- Foreign Workers with Job Offers: If you have a valid job offer from one or two employers in Canada for at least 1 year, you are eligible even if you do not have a trade certification.
Program Benefits:
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- No Points-Based Selection: Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, there is no points-based grid for selection. The key is meeting the work experience, job offer or certification, and language requirements.
- Lower Language Requirements: Compared to other Express Entry programs, the FST program has lower language proficiency requirements, especially for reading and writing.
- Fast Processing: Like other Express Entry programs, FST applications are typically processed in 6 months or less after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submit your complete application.
Additional Requirements for FST
- Job Offer or Certification:
- If you don’t have a Canadian trade certification, you need a valid job offer from a Canadian employer for at least 1 year. If you do have a certification, you don’t need a job offer.
- No Settlement Funds for Those with Job Offers:
- If you have a valid job offer in Canada, you do not need to show proof of settlement funds. However, if you don’t have a job offer, you must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.
Ineligible Work Experience:
- Any work experience gained while you were a full-time student (for example, during a co-op program) does not count.
- Self-employed work does not count for the FST program.
Common Trades Covered Under the FST Program:
- Construction: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and bricklayers.
- Manufacturing: Welders, machinists, and tool and die makers.
- Cooking and Baking: Chefs and bakers.
- Heavy Equipment: Operators and mechanics.
- Maintenance: HVAC technicians and millwrights.
Key Differences from Other Programs:
- The FST program is specifically for skilled trades, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) is for professionals across various industries, and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for those with Canadian work experience.
- FST has lower language requirements than the FSW program.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) is an excellent option for skilled tradespeople who are looking to immigrate to Canada and have job offers or trade certifications in their field.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)?
The FST program is an immigration pathway under Canada’s Express Entry system, designed for skilled tradespeople with work experience in eligible trades to apply for permanent residency (PR). It caters to specific occupations like construction, maintenance, manufacturing, and other skilled trades.
- Who is eligible for the FST program?
To be eligible for the FST program, you must:
- Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent in part-time) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- Hold a valid job offer from a Canadian employer (or two) for at least 1 year or have a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- Meet the minimum language proficiency requirements (CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing).
- Do I need a job offer to apply for the FST?
Yes, unless you have a certificate of qualification in your trade from a Canadian province or territory. If you do not have this certification, you will need a valid job offer from up to two Canadian employers for at least 1 year.
- Which trades are eligible under the FST program?
The FST program is designed for trades that fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level B, which includes:
- Industrial, electrical, and construction trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers).
- Maintenance and equipment operation trades (e.g., heavy equipment operators).
- Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production.
- Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors (e.g., machinists, welders, chefs, bakers).
- What are the language requirements for the FST?
The FST has lower language requirements compared to other Express Entry programs:
- CLB 5 (Canadian Language Benchmark) for speaking and listening.
- CLB 4 for reading and writing.
These language tests can be taken in either English or French through approved tests like the IELTS, CELPIP (English), or TEF (French).
- What is a certificate of qualification for the FST program?
A certificate of qualification is a document issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial body that certifies that you are qualified to work in a specific trade. It usually involves passing a certification exam. This certification confirms that you meet the required Canadian standards for your trade.
- How do I get a certificate of qualification in Canada?
To obtain a certificate of qualification, you must contact the regulatory body for trades in the province or territory where you plan to live and work. This usually involves:
- Passing a trade exam.
- Showing proof of your training and work experience in your trade.
- What is the minimum work experience required for the FST program?
You need at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time) in an eligible skilled trade within the last 5 years before applying.
- Do I need to meet any educational requirements for the FST program?
There is no formal education requirement for the FST program. However, if you have educational credentials, you can submit them to boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry pool.
- Can I apply for the FST program if I plan to live in Quebec?
No, the FST program does not apply to those who intend to live in Quebec. Quebec has its own skilled trades immigration programs.
- Do I need to show proof of funds for the FST program?
You do not need to show proof of settlement funds if you have a valid job offer in Canada. However, if you do not have a job offer, you will need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.
- How is my application processed under the FST program?
Your FST application is processed through the Express Entry system. You must create an Express Entry profile, and your application will be evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). If your CRS score is high enough, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
- What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for the FST program?
The CRS is a point-based system used to rank applicants in the Express Entry pool. It considers factors like:
- Age.
- Education.
- Work experience.
- Language skills.
- Job offers or trade certification.
Higher scores improve your chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.
- Can I include my family in my FST application?
Yes, you can include your spouse/common-law partner and dependent children in your FST application. They will be processed for permanent residency along with you.
- What is the processing time for the FST program?
FST applications, like other Express Entry applications, are usually processed within 6 months or less after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submit your complete application.
- Can I apply for the FST program if I’m outside Canada?
Yes, you can apply for the FST program even if you are outside Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., having the required work experience, job offer, or trade certification).
- Does self-employment count as work experience for the FST?
No, self-employed work experience does not count toward the work experience requirement for the FST program. You must have been employed by a company or organization in a skilled trade.
- Can I switch between FST and other Express Entry programs?
Yes, if you qualify for multiple Express Entry programs (like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)), you can be considered under any of them. The system will automatically assess you for all programs for which you are eligible.
