Last August 6, Canada held a rare Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) draw a day after their previous all-program draw, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 250 FSTP candidates. 

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 415. FSTP candidates who earned at least 415 points were sure to have received an ITA. 

Following the all-program draw on August 5th that saw 3,900 ITAs issued, including this recent draw, Canada has now sent out a total of 4,150 ITAs in two days. 

Despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Express Entry continues to remain strong and consistent, sending out a record number of invitations this 2020. As of this latest round, 61,850 candidates have been invited to obtain permanent residency in Canada, the most invitations issued at this time compared to every previous year since Express Entry was launched in 2015.

This draw marks the seventh ever FSTP-specific draw in Canada’s immigration history. Created in 2013 as a pathway for skilled workers with experience in a skilled trade, FSTP is a means to address the shortage of workers in various skilled trades occupations throughout Canada.

Candidates who wish to apply for the FSTP category must have at least two years of work experience in the following trades: 

• industrial, electrical and construction;
• maintenance, equipment operation;
• technical and supervisor jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production;
• processing, manufacturing, utilities, central control operations;
• chefs, cooks;
• butchers or bakers.

Because the program targets specific candidates, it often accounts for the least number of ITAs issued via eligible Express Entry programs. In 2019, only 1,000 of the 85,300 candidates who were issued ITAs belonged to the FSTP program.

Another reason the program is so small is that candidates in the FSTP program usually have lower CRS scores compared to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Program. Hence, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds rare FSTP-targeted draws so trades candidates can continue to support Canada’s labor market needs.

Today’s draw marked the first FSTP-specific draw of 2020 and the first since October 16, 2019. 

Want to know if you qualify for Canada’s Express Entry? Fill out our eligibility form to receive a free assessment from Enhance Visa.