Latest Draw #448|CRS: 772|Provincial Nominee Program|752 ITAs|Oct 13, 2026

Express Entry Program

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada needs skilled tradespeople. The FST program offers electricians, plumbers, welders, and other certified trades professionals a direct path to permanent residence with lower language requirements.

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Processing

6 months or less

Recent Cutoff

415

Last Draw

250 ITAs

Max CRS

1,200 pts

Program Overview

About Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) is designed for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada. Unlike FSW, the FST has lower language requirements and does not require post-secondary education.

Canada has persistent labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance trades. The FST recognizes that skilled trades are learned through apprenticeships and on-the-job training rather than formal education.

To qualify, you need either a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory. The program targets tradespeople in construction, industrial, and maintenance sectors.

FST is a program, not a draw. The Federal Skilled Trades Program has not had its own program-only round since August 2020. Tradespeople are invited in the trades category round. The latest one was on October 1, 2026: 3,500 invitations at CRS 476, after 3,000 invitations at CRS 477 on April 2. Category rounds are open to Express Entry candidates who qualify under FST, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Canadian Experience Class and have at least 12 months of full-time work in one of the 25 occupations IRCC lists for the category.

Skilled trades immigration to Canada in 2026

Which trades are in demand, provincial routes, certification, and how trades rounds work.

Read the full guide

Key Benefits

Lower language requirements

No formal education required

Trades-specific draws with lower cutoffs

High demand for skilled trades

Job offer or certification pathway

Path to Canadian citizenship

Free CRS Assessment

Find out your CRS score and which Express Entry rounds you could be invited in.

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Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Meet these requirements to qualify for Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Work Experience

At least 2 years of full-time skilled trades work experience (3,120 hours) within the 5 years before applying, all in the same NOC. It must be paid work, and work done while studying does not count. The trade must be in NOC Major Group 72 (excluding 726), 73, 82, 83, 92 or 93 (excluding 932), Minor Group 6320, or Unit Group 62200.

Job Offer or Certification

You need either a valid full-time job offer for at least 1 year, OR a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. If your province does not certify your trade, you need the job offer.

Language Proficiency

CLB 5 for speaking and listening. CLB 4 for reading and writing. Lower than FSW requirements, recognizing trades workers' skills.

Education and Proof of Funds

There is no education requirement. You must show settlement funds unless you are already authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.

Eligible Trade

Your occupation must be in an eligible NOC group. Major groups include industrial, electrical, construction, maintenance, and supervisory trades.

Meet Trade Requirements

Meet the job requirements for the trade as described in the NOC. Trades often require licensing or certification.

CRS Scoring

Comprehensive Ranking System

Your CRS score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool.

Work Experience

80 points

Canadian and foreign skilled trades experience contributes to CRS.

Age

110 points

Maximum points at ages 20-29. Points decrease after 30.

Language (First)

136 points

FST has lower minimums, but higher scores boost CRS significantly.

Education

150 points

While not required, education adds CRS points. Trades certifications count.

Certificate of Qualification

50 points

A Canadian trade certificate adds 25 points with CLB 5+, or 50 with CLB 7+ in all four abilities. Job offers no longer add CRS points.

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Draw History

Recent Express Entry Draws

Track recent CRS cutoffs to understand your chances.

Aug 6, 2020Federal Skilled Trades

415

CRS Cutoff

250 invitations

Oct 16, 2019Federal Skilled Trades

357

CRS Cutoff

500 invitations

May 15, 2019Federal Skilled Trades

332

CRS Cutoff

500 invitations

Sep 24, 2018Federal Skilled Trades

284

CRS Cutoff

400 invitations

May 30, 2018Federal Skilled Trades

288

CRS Cutoff

500 invitations

Nov 1, 2017Federal Skilled Trades

241

CRS Cutoff

505 invitations

How to Apply

Application Process

Step-by-step guide to applying for Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Verify Trade Eligibility

Confirm your occupation is in an eligible NOC group for FST. Gather evidence of your trade qualifications and experience.

Obtain Job Offer or Certification

Secure a valid Canadian job offer or get your trade credentials assessed and certified by a Canadian province.

Take Language Test

Complete IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF. FST requires CLB 5 for speaking/listening and CLB 4 for reading/writing.

Create Express Entry Profile

Submit your profile with trade experience, job offer or certification, and language scores.

Receive ITA

Trades-specific draws often have lower CRS cutoffs. When invited, you have 60 days to submit your PR application.

Submit Application

Complete your PR application with all supporting documents, medical exam, and biometrics.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Federal Skilled Trades Program

What occupations are eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

FST covers skilled trades in NOC Major Groups 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, and 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932), Minor Group 6320, and Unit Group 62200. All of your qualifying work must be in one NOC, and you must have done the lead statement and most of the main duties of that NOC. IRCC's trades category list for Express Entry rounds is shorter than the FST list (25 occupations), so check both.

Do I need a job offer or a certificate for FST?

You need one or the other. Either a valid full-time job offer for at least one year, or a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. A certificate means you passed the certification exam. Provinces assess your training and experience first, and some require an employer to give you hands-on experience. If your province does not certify your trade, you need the job offer.

What is the $5000 skilled trades program in Alberta?

Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training programs include grants up to $5,000, but no single $5,000 program exists. The federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant pays $1,000 per year (up to $2,000 lifetime) for completing the first or second year in a Red Seal trade. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant adds $2,000 for completing certification. Combined federal grants reach $4,000. Alberta's Apprenticeship Training Award Tuition Bursary provides up to $2,000 per technical training period for low-income apprentices. The Canadian Apprenticeship Loan offers up to $4,000 interest-free per training period. Provincial top-ups depend on the trade and program.

What's the highest paid skilled trade?

The highest-earning skilled trades in Canada include power line technicians ($90,000 to $130,000+), elevator constructors and mechanics ($85,000 to $115,000), industrial electricians ($80,000 to $110,000), heavy equipment operators in oil sands ($95,000 to $140,000), pipefitters and steamfitters ($75,000 to $105,000), instrumentation technicians ($75,000 to $105,000), and crane operators ($75,000 to $100,000). Unionized journeyperson rates and overtime push these figures higher. Northern, remote, and resource-sector roles pay premiums. The Federal Skilled Trades Program covers most of these occupations. Trades-only Express Entry rounds cut off at 505 on September 18, 2025, 477 on April 2, 2026, and 476 on October 1, 2026, and only the 25 occupations on IRCC's 2026 trades list can be invited in them. Of the trades above, only industrial electricians are on that list.

What is the quickest trade to get a certificate?

Quickest certification trades include locksmith (3 to 6 months), HVAC technician basic (6 to 12 months), forklift operator (1 to 5 days for licensing), commercial driver Class 1 or A (3 to 12 weeks), welder pre-employment (8 to 16 weeks), and basic landscaper (8 to 12 weeks). Fully Red Seal-certified trades like electrician, plumber, and carpenter take three to five years through apprenticeship. Pre-apprenticeship and certificate programs let workers start earning while they apprentice. Demand stays high in Canada for all these trades, with several aligned to the Express Entry Federal Skilled Trades Program.

What is the quickest trade to get into?

Trades with the lowest entry barriers include construction labourer (immediate hire with WHMIS and fall protection), warehouse and forklift operator (1 to 5 days licensing), Class 1 or A truck driver (3 to 12 weeks training), commercial cleaner, landscaper, and roofer's helper. Most require basic certifications: WHMIS, working at heights, first aid, traffic control. Apprenticeship-based trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder) start with pre-apprenticeship programs lasting 8 to 16 weeks before paid apprenticeship begins. Many provinces fast-track apprenticeship registration for foreign workers with verified experience. Trades-only Express Entry rounds cut off at 505 on September 18, 2025, 477 on April 2, 2026, and 476 on October 1, 2026.

What trade is in highest demand now?

Highest-demand trades in 2026 include electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, industrial mechanics (millwrights), carpenters, heavy equipment operators, automotive service technicians, refrigeration mechanics, and instrumentation technicians. Construction trades face national shortages from infrastructure spending, the National Housing Strategy, and provincial highway projects. Healthcare-adjacent trades like medical equipment technicians also see demand. Trades-only Express Entry rounds cut off at 505 on September 18, 2025, 477 on April 2, 2026, and 476 on October 1, 2026, prioritizing many of these occupations. Provincial nominee programs in Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Atlantic provinces target trades through specific streams. Apprentices earn while they train, with average wages of $25 to $45 per hour.

What is the $5000 apprenticeship incentive?

There is no single $5,000 apprenticeship incentive. Federal apprenticeship grants combine to up to $4,000: the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant pays $1,000 per year for the first or second year of a Red Seal trade (up to $2,000), and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant pays $2,000 on Red Seal certification. The Apprenticeship Service offered up to $5,000 to small and medium employers per first-year apprentice hired in Red Seal trades, plus an additional $5,000 for hiring underrepresented groups (women, Indigenous people, newcomers, racialized people, persons with disabilities). The Canadian Apprenticeship Loan offers up to $4,000 interest-free per training period.

Who is eligible for the federal skilled worker program?

FSW eligibility requires at least one year of continuous full-time skilled work experience in NOC 2021 TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations within the past 10 years, language scores at CLB 7 across all four abilities in English or French, and an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign post-secondary education. Candidates must score 67 of 100 on the Six Selection Factors covering age, education, language, work experience, arranged employment, and adaptability. Settlement funds of $15,263 for one applicant are required unless you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. There have been no FSW-only rounds in 2026; FSW candidates who also qualify for the Canadian Experience Class have been invited in CEC rounds at 507 to 523.

Which skilled trades are in demand in Canada?

In-demand trades in 2026 include electricians (industrial and construction), plumbers, welders, HVAC and refrigeration technicians, carpenters, industrial mechanics (millwrights), automotive service technicians, heavy duty equipment mechanics, sheet metal workers, ironworkers, gas fitters, instrumentation technicians, crane operators, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Trades-only Express Entry rounds cut off at 505 on September 18, 2025, 477 on April 2, 2026, and 476 on October 1, 2026, but only the 25 occupations on IRCC's 2026 trades list can be invited in them. That list includes electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, welders, carpenters, sheet metal workers, HVAC mechanics, and heavy-duty equipment mechanics; crane operators, ironworkers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are not on it. Provincial nominee streams in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces dedicate slots to trades. Cooks and chefs also fall under skilled trades.

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Explore Other Express Entry Programs

FSW

Federal Skilled Worker Program

CEC

Canadian Experience Class

Category-Based

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French EE

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.