A new Federal Skilled Trades Programme is being launched in Canada in January to address the country’s growing demand for skilled workers. It will accept up to 3,000 applications in 2013 and aims to ensure applicants that they will have the right skills and experience needed to succeed in Canada. Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters although a full list will be published before the programme starts on 02 January 2013.

In order to qualify, applicants will need to have an offer of employment in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory to ensure that applicants are ‘job ready’ upon arrival and need to meet a basic language requirement. They will also need to have a minimum of two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson and have the skills and experience that match those set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC B) system, showing that they have performed the essential duties of the occupation.

‘The new Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth,’ said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, adding, ‘For too long, Canada’s immigration system has not been open to these in-demand skilled workers. These changes are long overdue and will help us move to a fast and flexible immigration system that works for Canada’s economy’.

According to Michael Atkinson, president of the Canadian Construction Association, the introduction of a dedicated and streamlined programme for skilled trades addresses many of the shortcomings from the current Federal Skilled Worker Programme, explaining, ‘The new programme ensures greater consideration is given to the needs of industry when processing eligible immigration applications’.

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It will help to make sure that Canada’s immigration system works for small employers in need of skilled trades’ people, said Dan Kelly, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. ‘With the shortage of qualified labour in many parts of Canada growing once again, the launch of the Skilled Trades immigration stream is very welcome news,’ he added.

The Federal Skilled Trades Programme will complement other avenues already in place for skilled trades persons to immigrate to Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programmes, said Kenney, confirming, ‘As promised in Economic Action Plan 2012, we are creating a new immigration stream to facilitate entry of skilled trades persons. The Federal Skilled Trades Programme will help transform Canada’s immigration system into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth and long term prosperity’.