Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages, say the Feds

A Federal Skilled Trades Program is being launched on January 2, 2013. The announcement was made by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney on December 10. “The new Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth,” said Minister Kenney. “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.” The program criteria are built around the following four requirements:

1. 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;
2. meet a basic language requirement;
3. have a minimum of two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson, to ensure that the applicant has recent and relevant practice as a qualified journeyman; and
4. 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.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will accept up to a maximum of 3000 applications in the first year of the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters, among others. CIC is currently working with the provinces, territories and federal government partners on the list of skilled trades’ occupations that are experiencing acute labour shortages and which will qualify under the program. This list will be announced prior to the program opening on January 2, 2013.

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