Express Entry Invitations Pour in for Skilled Trades Workers Seeking Canadian Residence

Skilled trades workers around the world perked up this week as Canada rolled out the red carpet, inviting 1,000 of them to apply for permanent residence.

The December 18 draw targeted electricians, welders, heavy equipment operators and other in-demand occupations. Competition was fierce, with the minimum score for inclusion set at 425 points on Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System.

“We have long waiting lists for many infrastructure and construction projects across the country,” explained International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen. “Bringing more tradespeople on board will help us get shovels in the ground faster while offering new immigrants abundant job opportunities.”

This was the second Express Entry Draw this week as Canada ramps up efforts to attract vital workers. Just two days back, 1,325 candidates qualified in an all-program draw requiring 542 points.

The flurry comes on the heels of an unexplained one-month hiatus in invitation rounds. The government revealed no reasons for the temporary halt, simply tweeting on November 14 that “an IT issue impacting candidates’ ability to upload documents” had been resolved.

Over 5,900 IT professionals and engineers were invited the following week in the first category-based draw since the pause. More openings targeted French speakers and healthcare professionals the next two days.

The Express Entry System manages applications for Canada’s key economic immigration routes – the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Launched in 2015, it uses a points-based system to assess candidates’ human capital factors like work experience, languages and education then ranks them in a pool. Those scoring highest on core metrics like demand in their field get invited to apply.

Canada has welcomed over half a million newcomers through Express Entry to date and aims to admit 114,000 more annually by 2025.

Trades hopefuls are cheering this week’s invitation round as a promising sign of the abundant opportunities ahead. Meanwhile, Hussen promises still more draws in 2023 as the country strives to meet its ambitious growth targets.

“Canada’s doors are open,” the Minister affirmed. “We’ve got big plans in place and plenty of room for those ready to work hard and help us build the economy of tomorrow.