The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an Express Entry pathway specifically designed for skilled tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, welders, heavy equipment operators, and other certified trade workers who want permanent residence in Canada.

Who Is the FSTP For?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program targets qualified tradespeople whose occupations fall within specific NOC TEER 2 groups. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, FSTP has lower language requirements and does not use the 67-point selection factors grid. Instead, it has its own eligibility criteria focused on trade-specific experience and certification.

Eligible Occupations

FSTP covers six NOC major groups under TEER 2: industrial, electrical and construction trades (NOC 72XX); maintenance and equipment operation trades (NOC 73XX); supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production (NOC 82XX); processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators (NOC 92XX); chefs and cooks (NOC 6320); and butchers and bakers (NOC 6330). Your occupation must fall within one of these groups. Check your specific NOC code using IRCC's official NOC search tool before applying.

Work Experience Requirements

You need at least two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in an eligible skilled trade within the five years before your application. The experience must be continuous and in the same NOC group. Experience gained in Canada or abroad both count toward this requirement, unlike some programs that restrict credit to Canadian experience only. If you completed an apprenticeship in your trade, that apprenticeship experience typically counts toward the two-year requirement.

Language Requirements

FSTP has lower language thresholds than FSWP, recognizing that many trades occupations rely more on technical skill than on written communication. You need CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing, in English or French. While these are the minimum eligibility thresholds, remember that your CRS score depends on your actual language results — higher language scores still add significantly more points and improve your chances of receiving an ITA.

Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification

This is the key distinguishing requirement of FSTP: you must have either a valid job offer from a Canadian employer for full-time work in your trade, OR a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian province or territory. A certificate of qualification (sometimes called a Red Seal or interprovincial standards certificate) demonstrates that your trade skills have been assessed and certified to Canadian standards. Not all trades are regulated in all provinces, so check with the relevant provincial trades authority for your occupation.

If you are pursuing a job offer route, the offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and from an employer who has been approved under IRCC's guidelines. Unlike FSWP job offers, FSTP job offers do not need to be supported by an LMIA, but they must still meet IRCC's requirements.

No Education Requirement

One advantage of FSTP is that there is no minimum education requirement. You do not need to complete an ECA. For tradespeople who built their skills through apprenticeships and on-the-job training rather than formal post-secondary education, this removes a significant barrier that exists in other programs.

How FSTP Fits Into Express Entry

Once you confirm FSTP eligibility and create your Express Entry profile, you will be placed in the same pool as FSWP and CEC candidates. Your CRS score is calculated the same way as other candidates. IRCC sometimes holds category-based draws specifically targeting trades occupations, which can have lower cut-offs than all-program draws. Monitoring the draw history and IRCC announcements about upcoming category draws can help you time your profile submission effectively.