Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada is currently in demand of skilled trades people. As such, the Federal Skilled Trades program is geared towards attracting these men and women to work in Canada and obtain their Permanent Residence.

In order to qualify, your particular trade needs to be on a list of eligible occupations and you must meet all the necessary licencing required of the trade.

Further, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is only accepting 5,000 applications per year in total. Each trade also has its own individual cap. If you are interested in applying under this program, you should act fast to ensure your application is submitted prior to the caps filling up.

Qualifying for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

In order to be considered eligible for the program, you must:

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec;
You must meet the required levels in either English or French for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening);
You must have at least two years of full-time work experience or an equal amount of part-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply;
You meet all the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC); and
You have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year, or a certificate of qualification for that skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body.

List of Eligible Occupations 2014

The NOC or National Occupational Code is a categorization of your, and all, occupations. Based on the NOC associated with your trade, you will be able to see duties, educational and skill requirements as well as determine under what exact NOC you qualify.

All 90 skilled trades from the following NOC Skill Level B groups are eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program:

Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical and construction trades;
Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades;
Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical occupations in national resources, agriculture and related production;
Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;
Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks;
Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.

Certificate vs. Job Offer

You are not required to meet licensing requirements at the time of application, but a Citizenship and Immigration officer must be satisfied that you are capable of performing the job offered to you.

If the occupation is regulated in Canada, meaning, it requires certain licencing or certification, the officer must also be satisfied that you can be expected to successfully qualify for licensing/certification when in Canada.

Your offer of employment must be valid at the time your permanent resident visa (if any) is issued.

How We Can Help

The Federal Skilled Trades program focuses heavily on:

Intended trade;
Your experience;
Your skills and credentials; and
Your adaptability to life in Canada.

These are the key elements to any application under this category and will need to be sufficiently demonstrated should you hope to be successful in your application. Providing the right documentation goes far beyond the minimum requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Ensuring that an officer is satisfied that you not only meet the minimum requirements but are a suitable candidate for Permanent Residence in Canada will mean the difference between approval or denial.

We will assist you:

Draft the necessary forms;
Help demonstrate that you have full time or a combinational of two part time employment offers accounting for one year;
Draft appropriate supporting documentation demonstrating your skills, education, experience etc.;
Demonstrate that you are well suited for Permanent Residence in Canada;
Help you determine the most appropriate NOC for you with the highest chance of success based on your unique situation;
Compile the strongest possible case as per your unique situation;
Prepare you for your for any interview should one be requested;
Follow up with Citizenship and Immigration Canada on your matter to ensure the fastest possible processing time; and
Of course, be with you every step of the way.

For more information on the Federal Skilled Trades program, feel free to browse our vast collection of information on the subject or contact us directly at 1-877-622-8182 or 416 477 2570. You can also email at Info@ToImmigrate.com.,

Submitting a Stronger Application for Express Entry

Express Entry is the new system that the Immigration and Citizenship Canada has created that allows immigrants to enter into Canada faster than other immigration programs.

What is express entry?

If you’re a skilled immigrant and interested in getting an express entry into Canada based on the experience and skills that you have, starting in January 2015, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada will put in place an electronic system that will:

Make entry into Canada much faster and easier
The applications will be done online by creating a profile online, which will focus on your skills and work experiences, along with other things.
This system will manage permanent residency applications for the three Economic programs that Canada has in place

The three economic programs that the Express Entry will be used for are:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class

What do I have to do?

As a candidate, you have to create an Express Entry profile online, which looks at:

Work related skills
Qualifications
Language skills
Work experiences
Education

Not all candidates who create the online profile will be selected into the pool, only those that meet the criteria for the Economic programs that Canada has in place will be entered into a pool from which the employers will be able to select certain individuals.

How do I make my application stronger?

In order for you to submit a strong application for the Express Entry Pool and to be a candidate with high ranking, your application has to be strong in the following areas:

Language

Meet the minimum language level
Bilingual
Able to speak both English and French

Education

Even though under some Economic programs there is no education requirement and the focus is more on work experience, the application can be made stronger if you have high level of education
High school diploma carries the lowest points, while a doctorate carries the highest points
If your education level is a post-secondary level education with more than three years, this allows you high points

Work experience

Foreign work experience
Canadian work experience
Transferability of skills

Nomination from Canadian province/territory

Nominated by a province to immigrate to Canada
Shows you already possess skills, have the work experience and education

Offer of Employment

If you already have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, this will make your application much stronger since this shows that you have the means to financially be stable in Canada once you arrive

Your application is ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System. This system gives you a score out of 1.200 points. This score of 1,200 is divided into four different factors and each of these factors focus on different aspects

Skills and Experience Factor
Spouse or Common-Law Factor
Transferability Factor
Nomination Factor

Are there other factors that might also be considered?

Yes, with the Express Entry program, various kinds of factors are taken into consideration when selecting the application from the Express Entry Pool of candidates.

If you are between the ages of 20-29, your application is given higher points compared to someone who is either older or younger.

We understand that age is a factor that you are unable to control, which is why government of Canada looks at other factors such as education and skills that you possess that will make your application strong

If you are not coming alone, but rather coming with your spouse or common-law partner, their skills and education is also taken into consideration

If you do not have an offer of employment, then you need to show your financial status. This is to show that once you arrive in Canada you are able to support yourself and if you are coming with your family, that you area able to financially support your family also.

HELP IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE!

We know the process for these kinds of applications can be brutal, as there are many things that need to be considered and a lot of the things can become very mind-boggling. At Akrami & Associates we have experienced immigration representative that will help you through the process and help you get the results you want. So give us a call and we will help put your mind at ease

What Is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

Similar to that of the Federal Skilled Workers Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program allows those with skilled trades to become a permanent resident.

The first thing you should know is what a skilled trade is. Citizenship and Immigration Canada sets out which skilled trades are eligible for this program. Based on the type of duties set out in the National Occupation Classification or NOC, the tasks that you have performed may match the skilled trade Canada is seeking.

Like other programs, the Federal Skilled Trades Program has basic requirements that must be met before being eligible for consideration into the program. Some requirements include,

having at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years before you applied
meeting the job requirement for your skilled trade as set out in National Occupation Classification
having a valid job offer

For those who have been working part-time, you may still meet the work experience requirement. As set out on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, as long as you have been working part-time and the amount of hours is equivalent to full-time work, you may still be eligible for this program.

In terms of the National Occupation Classification requirements, some of the skilled trades currently entitled to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program include electrical trades, construction trades, etc... In addition to this, there are various documents that must be provided, such as, samples of your previous work and reference letters.

As you can see, the Federal Skilled Trades Program has various factors that must be taken into account as you fill out an application. The process can be demanding and, often times, complex. It may be difficult to gage for yourself what is the right documentation to send in with your application or whether you are even eligible to apply.

At Akrami & Associates, our legal professionals will be able to make an assessment on your eligibility and assist you with your application. Call us today for more information and we will gladly assist you in any way we can.

Are you Eligible For Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada is a country that offers individuals many opportunities. The vast number of opportunities, specifically job opportunities, is one of the reasons that Canada has a thriving economy.

If you have experience and training in a particular trade or occupation and feel that you can contribute to Canada’s growing economy, then immigrating to Canada may be an option for you. This is if you are interested in becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada. If you have experience in a particular skilled trade, then the Federal Skilled Trades Program may be a way you can obtain Permanent Resident status in Canada. The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for people who want to become Permanent Residents based on having experience and qualification in a particular skilled trade.

The skilled trades eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are under these major groups 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 utilities supervisors and central control operators

Am I Eligible For The Federal Skilled Trades Program?

One of the first questions you must ask yourself in any type of immigration application is whether you are eligible to apply under the specific route or category you are considering as a possibility for you. Like any other immigration program under Citizenship and Immigration Canada, this is a question you must ask yourself if you are thinking of applying under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

To apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must meet the following requirements:

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec;
You must meet the required levels in either English or French for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening);
You must have at least two years of full-time work experience or an equal amount of part-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply;
You meet all the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC); and
You have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year, or a certificate of qualification for that skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body.

Only a province or territory can issue a certificate of qualification in the skilled trades. The province or territory will assess your training, experience and skills and make a decision regarding whether you are eligible to write an exam to be certified for the particular skilled trade. In this case, you may need to have access to an employer in Canada who is willing to give you the required experience and training you will need.

It is also important to note that under the Federal Skilled Trades Program the requirement for full-time work experience means at least 30 hours of work per week or an equal amount of hours in part-time work. Also the work has to be paid work experience.

Also, another point to note that could apply to your situation is that a maximum of two employers can agree to employ you for at least one year of continuous work experience, either full-time or equivalent hours in part-time.

At Akrami & Associates, our team of legal professionals has the knowledge, skills, and expertise to help you achieve your immigration needs and goals. We are a dedicated team that will put together a strong and compelling application for you that will give you the best chance of receiving a positive determination on your application.

Federal Skilled Trades Language Requirements

Whether you are considering applying for the Federal Skilled Trades program or are already preparing your documents, you should also prepare to take a language test. As part of the requirement for the Skilled Trades program, you will have to demonstrate your language proficiency in one of Canada’s two official languages; English or French.

This test will need to be conducted by a third party designated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. When reviewing your application, an Immigration Officer will want to see that you have the necessary language capabilities of being a productive and contributing member of the Canadian labour market and able to adequately function in the work place. It is difficult to work with a language barrier and in order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades program; you will need to prove that this will not be an issue for you.

Where to Get a Language Test

In order for your language proficiency to be assessed, you will need to have it completed by a designated third party. These organizations are as follows:

English

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test only)
IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only)

French

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français (both modules must be submitted in order to demonstrate results for all four language abilities)

If you do not submit the results of your official language proficiency test with your application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you as incomplete.

Your test results must not be more than two years old at the time that you submit your application.

How to Obtain a Language Test

You must take a language proficiency test from an agency designated by CIC before starting the immigration process and submitting your application to Citizenship and Immigration.

Make arrangements to take a language proficiency test with a designated testing agency and pay the test costs
Do not request that your language test result be sent directly to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You will need to submit your original language proficiency test results with your complete application.
Determine if you meet the language proficiency requirement.

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

The CLB/NCLC levels which correspond to the CELPIP are:

CLB/NCLC Level	Test results for each ability
CLB/NCLC Level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
4	2H	2H	2H	2H
5	3L	3L	3L	3L
6	3H	3H	3H	3H
7	4L	4L	4L	4L
8	4H	4H	4H	4H
9 and above	5 – 6	5 – 6	5 – 6	5 – 6

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The CLB/NCLC levels which correspond to the IELTS are:

CLB/NCLC Level	Test results for each ability
CLB/NCLC Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
4	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0
5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
9 and above	8.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0	7.0 – 9.0

Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

The CLB/NCLC levels which correspond to the TEF are:

CLB/NCLC Level	Test results for each ability
CLB/NCLC Level	Speaking (expression orale)	Listening (compréhension orale)	Reading (compréhension écrite)	Writing (expression écrite)
4	181	145	121	181
5	225	180	150	225
6	271	217	181	271
7	309	248	206	309
8	349 – 371	280 – 297	233 – 247	349 – 371
9 and above	372+	298+	248+	372+

Keep a copy of your language proficiency test results for your records and future use. You may use these results in the future if you choose to submit another application as long as they are not more than two years old at the time your application is received.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Category seeks to accommodate Skilled Trades men and women seeking employment based on a list of acceptable occupations offered in Canada. This guide will help you determine whether or not your skill set meets the basic occupational requirements while assisting you in completing your application package.

Federal Skilled Trades Qualification

The basic thing to keep in mind when qualifying for the Federal Skilled Trades Category is:

plan to live outside the province of Quebec
meet the required levels in English or French
have at least two years of full-time work experience
meet all job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and
have an offer of full-time employment or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body.

Skilled Trades currently eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these major groups of the 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, and
Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators.

These major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations.

When it comes to certifying your trade in Canada, only the provinces and territories can issue certificates of qualification in the skilled trades. To get this certificate, the provincial or territorial trades authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you are eligible to write an exam to be certified.

You will likely have to go to the province or territory to be assessed. You may also need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training. If this situation applies to you, contact us. We will discuss your options with you and outline the strategy that works best for achieving your goals in Canada. With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way.