Express Entry Trades Draw: Canada Invites 1,250 Skilled Workers

Express Entry Trades Draw Returns: Realistic Profiles That Could Receive an ITA

After nearly a year-long pause, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a much-anticipated Express Entry draw for the skilled trades category on September 18. This draw invited 1,250 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 505 to apply for permanent residence (PR). Let’s break down what this means, who could qualify, and review some realistic candidate profiles that would have made the cut.

Key Highlights

• IRCC invited 1,250 skilled trades candidates with a minimum CRS score of 505.
• This was the first trades-specific Express Entry draw in nearly a year.
• More trades draws are expected before the end of 2025.
• Candidate profiles with high language scores, Canadian work experience, and trade certifications fared well.
• Having a certificate of qualification and family in Canada added extra points.
• Profiles like cooks, carpenters, and electrical mechanics were strong contenders.

Why This Draw Matters for Skilled Trades Workers

While Express Entry draws typically focus on general CRS scores, IRCC has been using category-based draws to target specific occupations with strong labour demand. Trades are a top priority for Canada’s immigration system due to ongoing labour shortages in construction, manufacturing, and food services. This makes it an ideal time for tradespeople to explore how they might qualify under this targeted stream.

Candidate Profiles That Could Receive an ITA

To better understand what kind of profiles could succeed in this draw, let’s look at three fictional but realistic examples. These cases demonstrate how different factors—like Canadian experience, education, and language skills—can add up to a competitive CRS score.

1. Kavitha Mustafa – Cook from India

Kavitha is a 25-year-old cook with impressive credentials. She has:

• A two-year culinary degree from India
• Two years of international work experience
• One year of Canadian work experience
• A Certificate of Qualification from Skilled Trades Ontario
• CLB 10 in English

Thanks to her strong language abilities and Canadian experience, Kavitha scored a total of 510 CRS points—well above the 505 cut-off in the latest trades draw. Her certificate of qualification and high CLB score gave her a significant boost.

2. Mohamed Saddiq – Carpenter from Bangladesh

Mohamed, age 31, is a skilled carpenter with a solid background:

• A three-year degree in carpentry from Bangladesh
• One-year diploma from BCIT in Canada
• Three years of foreign and one year of Canadian work experience
• CLB 9 in English
• A brother who is a Canadian PR

Even without a certificate of qualification, Mohamed earned 521 CRS points by combining high language proficiency, education credentials from both Bangladesh and Canada, and having a sibling in Canada. These additional points made him a strong fit for the trades category.

3. Jonathan Nwogu – Electrical Mechanic from Nigeria

Jonathan, age 32, is an electrical mechanic currently working in Ontario. His qualifications include:

• Three years of foreign and three years of Canadian work experience
• Diploma in Electrical Techniques from George Brown College
• CLB 10 in English
• A spouse, Efe, with a Master’s degree, CLB 12, and three years of Canadian work experience

Jonathan doesn’t yet hold a certificate of qualification but still achieved a respectable 506 CRS points. His spouse’s education and experience contributed additional points under the spousal factors section.

How to Qualify for a Trades Draw Through Express Entry

To be considered for a category-based Express Entry draw—like this one targeting skilled trades—you’ll need to meet a few key criteria:

1. Meet the Base Eligibility

You must first qualify for one of the Express Entry-managed programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

2. Have Work Experience in an Eligible Trade

To qualify under the trades category, your experience must:

• Be in a single NOC-coded skilled trade occupation
• Include at least six months of full-time, continuous work (or equivalent part-time)
• Be completed within the past three years

3. Meet Language Requirements

Trades candidates must demonstrate strong English or French language skills. For English, that typically means at least CLB 7 or higher across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. A higher CLB (like 9 or 10) will earn you more CRS points and improve your chances of selection.

4. Additional Boosters

If you’re serious about maximizing your CRS, here are a few extras that can push you over the threshold:

• Canadian education credentials
• Canadian work experience
• Having a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or PR
• A provincial nomination (can add 600 points!)
• Certificate of qualification in a skilled trade

If you’re exploring the provincial route, provinces like Manitoba also offer targeted immigration streams for skilled workers in trades. You can learn more about how your profile fits under the Manitoba PNP.

Final Thoughts

This latest trades-focused draw is a strong signal that IRCC continues to value skilled trades as a cornerstone of Canada’s workforce. If you’re a tradesperson with the right combination of experience, language skills, and education, you have a solid shot at being invited through Express Entry.

Not sure where your CRS score stands?

Take the next step by evaluating your eligibility—then make a plan to boost your score and strengthen your profile.

For more insights on immigration updates, candidate profiles, and Express Entry strategies, make sure to check out our latest posts on Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and CRS Score Improvement.