Gerami Law PC is all set to make intakes for the new Skilled Trades Stream Immigration program which was unveiled yesterday by Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney.

The new stream which targets foreign skilled trade workers will start accepting applications in January 2013.

Minister Kenney has pointed out that the Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labor shortages in some regions of the country, including remote regions such as Northern Ontario, and will help grow the economy.

With only an acceptance rate of 3,000 applications in the program’s first year, Gerami Law PC advises clients to start filing their applications and that it will be best to use a professional representative to overcome complications and delays.

Applicants to the skilled trades program will not have to meet the criteria of the points system used for the rest of the federal skilled worker category.

Instead, the new program will give weight to applicants who:

  • Have a job offer in Canada;
  • Have basic proficiency in French or English, but not at the level required by the skilled worker points system;
  • Can prove they have recently worked in the trade and have a minimum of two years’ experience;
  • Can show their occupation falls within the federal trade classification system.
  • The federal government will consult with the provinces to come up with a list of jobs where there are vacancies before January. The list is expected to include such trades as pipe-fitters, mechanics, transportation jobs and electricians.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/12/08/pol-skilled-trades-program-kenney.html