The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently updated its list of trade occupations eligible for Express Entry certificate of qualification as of September 8, 2023.
Initially, there were 101 occupations on this list, which included truck drivers. However, on November 6, 2023, the IRCC removed truck drivers from the list of occupations eligible for a certificate of qualification.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these changes, including how to qualify and the benefits it offers.
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What’s New in the Express Entry Certificate of Qualification List?
The IRCC has updated the list of eligible occupations, which now includes a total of 100 occupations. On November 06, 2023, IRCC removed truck drivers from the Express Entry Certificate of Qualifications list.
The best part? You don’t need any prior work experience in these occupations! you just need to get a certificate of qualification for one of these eligible occupations.
How Do You Benefit from a Certificate of Qualification?
Obtaining a certificate of qualification in one of these trades can boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by up to 50 points, significantly improving your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
The best news is that you don’t need a job offer from a Canadian employer to earn these points.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is open to individuals already in Canada with a valid Express Entry profile and those planning to create one.
If you fall into either category, enrolling in one of these skilled trades programs is a smart move.
How to Obtain a Certificate of Qualification
To secure your certificate of qualification, follow these simple steps:
- Choose a Trade: Pick one from the list of eligible occupations that interests you.
- Get Proficient: Become skilled in your chosen trade.
- Pass the Exam: Clear an examination conducted by a Canadian province.
Full List of Eligible Occupations
Here’s a comprehensive list of the occupations eligible for Express Entry certificate of qualification:
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists – 22114
- Drafting technologists and technicians – 22212
- Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) – 22311
- Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics – 22312
- Chefs – 62200
- Cooks – 63200
- Butchers – retail and wholesale – 63201
- Bakers – 63202
- Hairstylists and Barbers – 63210
- Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations – 72010
- Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations – 72011
- Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades – 72012
- Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades – 72013
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers – 72014
- Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades – 72020
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews – 72021
- Supervisors, printing and related occupations – 72022
- Supervisors, railway transport operations – 72023
- Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators – 72024
- Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations – 72025
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors – 72100
- Tool and die makers – 72101
- Sheet metal workers – 72102
- Boilermakers – 72103
- Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters – 72104
- Ironworkers – 72105
- Welders and related machine operators – 72106
- Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200
- Industrial electricians – 72201
- Power system electricians – 72202
- Electrical power line and cable workers – 72203
- Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers – 72204
- Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians – 72205
- Plumbers – 72300
- Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers – 72301
- Gas fitters – 72302
- Carpenters – 72310
- Cabinetmakers – 72311
- Bricklayers – 72320
- Insulators – 72321
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402
- Railway carmen/women – 72403
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors – 72404
- Machine fitters – 72405
- Elevator constructors and mechanics – 72406
- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers – 72410
- Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators – 72411
- Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics – 72420
- Appliance servicers and repairers – 72421
- Electrical mechanics – 72422
- Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics – 72423
- Other small engine and small equipment repairers – 72429
- Crane operators – 72500
- Water well drillers – 72501
- Other technical trades and related occupations – 72999
- Concrete finishers – 73100
- Tilesetters – 73101
- Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers – 73102
- Roofers and shinglers – 73110
- Glaziers – 73111
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) – 73112
- Floor covering installers – 73113
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers – 73200
- General building maintenance workers and building superintendents – 73201
- Pest controllers and fumigators – 73202
- Other repairers and servicers – 73209
- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators – 73301
- Railway and yard locomotive engineers – 73310
- Railway conductors and brakemen/women – 73311
- Heavy equipment operators – 73400
- Printing press operators – 73401
- Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction – 73402
- Supervisors, logging and forestry – 82010
- Supervisors, mining and quarrying – 82020
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services – 82021
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors – 82030
- Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services – 82031
- Underground production and development miners – 83100
- Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers – 83101
- Logging machinery operators – 83110
- Fishing masters and officers – 83120
- Fishermen/women – 83121
- Supervisors, mineral and metal processing – 92010
- Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities – 92011
- Supervisors, food and beverage processing – 92012
- Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing – 92013
- Supervisors, forest products processing – 92014
- Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing – 92015
- Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling – 92020
- Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing – 92021
- Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing – 92022
- Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing – 92023
- Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly – 92024
- Power engineers and power systems operators – 92100
- Water and waste treatment plant operators – 92101
- Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing – 93100
- Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing – 93101
- Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators – 93102
What Is a Certificate of Qualification?
A certificate of qualification signifies that you are qualified to work in a specific skilled trade. It indicates that you’ve passed a certification exam and meet the requirements to practice your trade in a specific Canadian province or territory.
How to Get a Certificate of Qualification in Canada
Each province or territory in Canada has its own certification process and requirements. Here are some resources to get you started:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
You can also visit the official Canada website for federally regulated skilled trades.
Conclusion
The latest update to the Express Entry Certificate of Qualification occupation list brings exciting opportunities for those dreaming of a future in Canada.
With 101 eligible occupations and the chance to earn additional CRS points without a job offer, this is a golden opportunity.
Take the first step today by exploring the eligible occupations and start your journey towards a brighter future in Canada.
