Federal Skilled Trades Program
Overview
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the three programs managed through the Express Entry system. It targets qualified tradespeople who meet the requirements for a skilled trade occupation and who either have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or hold a Canadian provincial or territorial certificate of qualification. The FSTP has lower language requirements than the Federal Skilled Worker program and does not use the FSW points grid — candidates enter the Express Entry pool and compete for ITAs through the CRS.
The FSTP was introduced to address labour shortages in the skilled trades across Canada. It provides a pathway for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, heavy equipment operators, and other tradespeople to obtain permanent residence without needing a university degree.
Eligibility
Minimum requirements
- Work experience: at least 2 years of full-time (or equivalent) paid work experience in a qualifying trade occupation within the 5 years before applying
- Job offer or certificate: either (a) a valid full-time job offer in a qualifying trade for a period of at least 1 year, or (b) a certificate of qualification in the trade issued by a Canadian province or territory
- Language: CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening; CLB 4 in Reading and Writing
- Settlement funds: if the applicant has a valid job offer, proof of funds is not required; without a job offer (certificate pathway), proof of funds is required based on family size
Qualifying trade occupations
Qualifying occupations are in the following NOC major groups (TEER categories 2 and 3):
- Major Group 72 — Industrial, electrical, and construction trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters, pipefitters)
- Major Group 73 — Maintenance and equipment operation trades (e.g., heavy equipment operators, crane operators)
- Major Group 82 — Supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources and agriculture
- Major Group 83 — Occupations in natural resources and related production (e.g., logging, mining)
- Major Group 92 — Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Major Group 93 — Processing and manufacturing machine operators (select NOC codes only)
- NOC 6320 — Cooks
- NOC 6321 — Butchers
No ECA or points grid requirement
Unlike the FSW program, FSTP applicants do not need an educational credential assessment (ECA) and are not assessed against the FSW points grid (minimum 67 points). FSTP eligibility is assessed based on the work experience, language, and job offer/certificate criteria above. Once eligible, the candidate enters the Express Entry pool and is ranked by CRS score.
Selection criteria
Application process
Application process
- Obtain language test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada)
- Obtain a valid job offer (LMIA-backed or LMIA-exempt) from a Canadian employer, or obtain a provincial/territorial certificate of qualification
- Create an Express Entry profile and declare the FSTP as the applicable program
- Receive a CRS score based on all factors (human capital, skill transferability, additional points)
- Await an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw (all-program draw or trades-specific category-based draw)
- Submit a complete permanent residence application within 60 days of receiving the ITA
Category-based draws for trades
Under the category-based draw system introduced in 2023–2024, IRCC may hold targeted draws for trades occupations (Major Groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92) with CRS cut-offs lower than all-program draws. Trades candidates may be prioritised in these rounds regardless of their overall CRS score.