Updated for 2025
Under Canada’s evolving Express Entry system, category-based selection now specifically targets trades occupations—ranging from industrial electricians and carpenters to cooks. For many skilled workers, especially those with hands-on industry experience, these trade-focused draws offer a faster pathway to permanent residence.
In this post, Immigration Nation explains which trades qualify, how the selection process works, and the recent CRS trends for these specialized rounds.
1. Why a Trades Category?
Canada continues to face labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, and hospitality. By introducing trade occupations as a dedicated Express Entry category, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to:
- Fill Skill Gaps: Attract and retain qualified tradespeople to address vital infrastructure, home-building, and industrial needs.
- Support Provincial Targets: Provinces benefit from these specialized draws, ensuring local industries can hire skilled labor quickly.
- Boost the Economy: Skilled trades enable Canada to maintain robust construction, energy, and manufacturing sectors—promoting growth nationwide.
Notably, cooks (NOC 63200) are included, reflecting Canada’s demand for trained culinary professionals in restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses.
2. Who’s Eligible for Trade Occupations?
To qualify under Express Entry’s trade occupations category, you must:
- Have at least 6 months of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in one of the eligible trades within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad).
- Meet all Express Entry requirements, meaning you’re eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program.
- Keep an active Express Entry profile, correctly listing your NOC code.
IRCC will automatically invite top-ranking candidates with these qualifications when a trades-specific draw occurs.
3. Eligible Trade Occupations
IRCC has identified specific 2021 NOC codes and TEER levels for trades. Below is the updated list:
Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | TEER |
Contractors & supervisors, oil & gas drilling/services | 82021 | 2 |
Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
Painters & decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
Roofers & shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
Other technical trades & related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
Heating, refrigeration & air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
Construction millwrights & industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
Electricians (except industrial & power system) | 72200 | 2 |
Welders & related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
Machinists, machining & tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
Home building & renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
Important: “Cooks” (NOC 63200) are newly included—a significant boost for culinary professionals aiming for permanent residence in Canada.
4. Recent Trade-Specific Draws & CRS Scores
IRCC has conducted multiple trade occupation draws since the category-based approach was launched. Here are some notable examples:
- Round #261 (August 3, 2023 – Trade occupations, Version 1)
- Invitations Issued: 1,500
- CRS of Lowest-Ranked Candidate: 388
- Round #300 (July 4, 2024 – Trade occupations, Version 1)
- Invitations Issued: 1,800
- CRS: 436
- Round #321 (October 23, 2024 – Trade occupations, Version 1)
- Invitations Issued: 1,800
- CRS: 433
Key Observations:
- CRS thresholds for trade draws generally hover between 380 and 450, lower than some other categories (e.g., Healthcare or General draws).
- Invitation sizes range from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 invites, reflecting the demand for skilled trades in construction, oil & gas, and more.
- Inclusion of Cooks signals a broad approach to trades, spanning manual construction roles to skilled culinary professions.
5. Projected CRS Ranges & Future Rounds
Score Trends
Candidates in trades often see CRS cut-offs in the high 300s to mid 400s—potentially more accessible than specialized streams like STEM or Healthcare. However, the exact score depends on:
- Supply of qualified trades profiles
- Size of each round (the more invites, the lower the cut-off tends to go)
- IRCC’s evolving labor priorities
Expected Frequency
We can anticipate 2–5 trades-focused draws per year, though IRCC’s scheduling is not fixed. With ongoing labor shortages in construction, mechanical trades, and cooking/hospitality, IRCC may sustain or even increase the frequency of trade-based rounds.
6. Maximizing Your CRS for Trade Draws
- Improve Language Test Scores
Strong IELTS/CELPIP or TEF/TCF results can significantly raise your CRS. - Obtain Provincial Nomination
A provincial nomination (PNP) grants +600 points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. Some provinces, like Alberta or Ontario, specifically target certain trades. - Document Your Experience Thoroughly
Provide reference letters and duties clearly matching your selected NOC. - Complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
If you studied outside Canada, an ECA can boost your CRS under education factors. - Maintain Up-to-Date Profiles
Keep your Express Entry profile current (e.g., updated language scores, new experience), ensuring IRCC accurately calculates your CRS.
7. FAQ: Trades Occupation Draws
- Are trade draws exclusively for “skilled trades” under the FST program?
Answer: Not necessarily. You can qualify under Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) if you meet that program’s criteria, as long as your NOC is on the trades list. - Does having a Canadian job offer matter for trades draws?
Answer: An offer isn’t mandatory, but it can add up to 200 extra CRS points (depending on the position’s TEER), boosting your invitation chances. - I have 3 months of experience in NOC 63200 (cook) and 3 months as a welder—can I combine them?
Answer: The 6-month requirement must be continuous in one occupation code. Splitting across multiple NOCs won’t meet the category’s single-occupation rule. - If I have part-time experience, how does IRCC calculate it?
Answer: Part-time hours can be converted to the equivalent of full-time. For example, 15 hours/week for 24 weeks = ~ 360 hours, which can be added up to 6 months’ worth if continuous. - I’m a carpenter with foreign experience only. Am I still eligible?
Answer: Yes. Your 6-month work experience can be abroad or in Canada, as long as it meets Express Entry’s program criteria (FSW, CEC, or FST). - Do I need a trade certification from a Canadian province or territory?
Answer: For Federal Skilled Trades specifically, you often need a certificate of qualification OR a valid job offer. For general draws or the FSW/CEC categories, a certification may not be mandatory—but it can still strengthen your application. - Why is “cook” included here? Isn’t that a separate field?
Answer: IRCC categorizes “cooks” under trades for Express Entry’s category-based draws, recognizing the widespread labor shortage in Canada’s culinary industry.
Immigration Nation – Edmonton Immigration Consultant: Your Trades Specialist
At Immigration Nation, our seasoned team helps skilled trades candidates:
- Determine the Right NOC: Ensuring your job duties align with the correct code (e.g., carpenter vs. construction millwright).
- Enhance Your CRS: From language test guidance to exploring PNP avenues, we uncover every possible point.
- Document Your Experience: We ensure letters of reference, job titles, and tasks reflect IRCC’s occupational standards.
- Track Draws & Deadlines: Category-based draws can happen unexpectedly. We keep you informed so you’re always ready to apply.
Call us at (780) 800-0113 or email [email protected]. We’re conveniently located at 9038 51 Ave NW, Suite 206, Edmonton, AB T6E 5X4—ready to help you seize your future in Canada’s trades sector.
Conclusion
With Canada’s trade occupations category, a new door opens for construction managers, welders, cooks, and many other professionals in high-demand roles. Draws typically set the CRS somewhere in the high-300s to mid-400s, but can fluctuate depending on IRCC’s invitation numbers and pool composition.
If you possess the required 6-month continuous work experience in a listed trade—and meet the general Express Entry requirements—then keep your profile active and watch for upcoming draws. For personalized guidance and an end-to-end approach, Immigration Nation – Edmonton Immigration Consultant remains dedicated to helping you achieve success in Canada’s robust and ever-growing trades sector.
Disclaimer: Information provided here is for reference only and may be subject to change. Always review official IRCC guidelines or consult a licensed immigration professional for the most accurate details.