First Of The Skilled Trades Immigrants Welcomed By Canada

17 Aug 2013

The new Skilled Trades Immigration stream of Canada welcomed its first Permanent Residents in just 7 months after its launch. Jason Kenney, Employment Minister and Chris Alexander, Immigration Minister made the joint announcement in Calgary and Toronto. They welcomed an electrician who has been working for a Calgary-based company since June 2012 and a plumber from Ireland.

Eric Byrne, who originally arrived in Canada through a work-abroad program, got his trades certificate at Ontario and found work at University Plumbing and Heating.

Byrne said that Canada is a great country and the people have been exceptionally warm and welcoming. He was very pleased with being qualified for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. He said that the program recognizes the value of his skill set and has allowed him to stay in Canada and integrate seamlessly as a permanent resident.

Paul Lyttle who is also from Ireland, had been working for Unitech Electrical Contracting Inc. as an electrician since June 2012. Lyttle said that he’s grateful for the opportunity to stay in Canada and is looking forward to being able to make long-term plans.

Byrne and Lyttle are the first of a number of successful applicants hailing from a variety of countries including Lithuania, Germany, Latvia and India.

Alexander said that the Canadian Government is focused on economic growth, long-term prosperity and job creation, and the new Federal Skilled Trades Program enables Canada to attract and retain skilled workers so that the regional labor shortages can be addressed and Canada’s economy can be strengthened. Individuals from any stream of work can apply for this Federal Skilled Trades Program for Canada.

Kenney added the new stream is a momentous improvement to Canada’s immigration system which has not been open to in-demand skilled workers for too long.

He said that Immigrants like Paul are set for success and he is pleased that this new program will enable Paul, and others like him, to contribute skills to Canada’s economy on a permanent basis.

Earlier, the skilled trades people had to apply through either the Canadian Experience Class (individuals who studied in Canada or were already working here temporarily) or the Provincial Nominee Program (immigrants selected by provinces to meet local labor market needs).

However, the new immigration stream that was announced in budget 2012 and officially launched in January, aims to facilitate immigration for skilled trades people in a bid to address serious labor shortages in some parts of the country.

The government has earmarked around 3,000 spaces for skilled trades people. Anyone from the skilled trades can apply for a Canadian Federal Skilled Trades Program through this new immigration program.

The government noted that the approval rate for the program is around 88%. Heavy-duty equipment mechanics, Welders, Pipe-fitters and Electricians are among the occupations eligible for the new stream.

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