A Newcomer’s Guide to Working in the Skilled Trades in Canada

Whether you already have trades experience in your home country, or you want to start a new career in the skilled trades – Canada has options to support your career.

This article is your guide to navigating the skilled trades as a newcomer to Canada. With more than 300 designated trades to choose from and a huge demand for trades workers, your career starts here.

The Perks: Tons of Jobs with Good Pay

Many people choose the skilled trades in Canada because they’re careers that promise stability and decent pay. With hundreds of thousands of tradespeople retiring and a growing population, Canada’s projects high demand across the skilled trades in the years to come. Just among the Red Seal trades – only a fraction of the total trades in Canada – the government projects more than 250,000 workers will be needed over the next decade.

In addition to job availability, the skilled trades also pay well. Skilled tradespeople are paid, on average, approximately $90,000 per year, with certain high-demand positions paying well into the six figures.

What Jobs are Considered Skills Trades?

A skilled trade is a specialized, hands-on occupation that requires technical knowledge. This includes a big range of occupations from welders to hairstylists, plumbers to butchers.

Generally, skilled trades occupations fall into one of four broad categories: construction, transportation, manufacturing, and services. Within these sectors, there are more than 300 designated trades in Canada.

Canada also offers Red Seal endorsements to 54 specific trades occupations. The Red Seal endorsement allows tradespeople to more easily work in other provinces and territories, offering greater mobility and freedom to these workers.

Regulation of Skilled Trades in Canada

The skilled trades are regulated occupations in Canada. This means that in order to work as a skilled tradesperson, first you must obtain a license of certification. These licenses are regulated at the provincial level – meaning that the exact criteria for licensing vary depending on where you intend to live in Canada.

To become certified, tradespeople must complete an apprenticeship which includes on-the-job training alongside short periods of in-class technical training. An apprenticeship allows the apprentice to earn money while they learn. Additionally, the Canadian government offers financial aid to help apprentices complete their training – including loans, employment insurance, and tax credits.

Internationally Trained Tradespeople: How to Work in Canada

If you worked as a tradesperson in your home country, you still must obtain the proper certification before practicing your trade in Canada. The exact process for certification varies by occupation and province/territory. A good first step is to contact the provincial authority for your intended province of destination.

In some cases, it may be possible to submit your foreign training and experience for consideration to meet Canada’s certification standards. For example, Skilled Trades Ontario offers a Trade Equivalency Assessment which will evaluate your foreign experience to determine if you meet the standard for Ontario’s certification (or if any of your foreign experience can be credited towards the partial completion of Ontario certification).

If you are unable to meet the certification process with your foreign experience, you will have to complete the apprenticeship requirements for your trade. These apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job experience, which can help cover your living expenses while obtaining your full certification.

New to the Skilled Trades: How to Get Started in Canada

If you are new to Canada and have never worked in the skilled trades, you can follow the same career path as any Canadian hoping to work in the Skilled Trades.

Step 1: Find a Trade

The first step is choosing a trade that fits your interests and strengths. With more than 300 designated trades in Canada, there are plenty of options to explore. Some trades are more physically demanding, others are more technical, and some require a mix of both.

It’s worth taking some time here. Look into job demand, typical wages, and working conditions. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the Red Seal trades, which offer greater stability and flexibility.

Step 2: Find an Apprenticeship Opportunity

Once you’ve chosen a trade, the next step is to enter an apprenticeship program. In Canada, apprenticeships are the standard pathway into most skilled trades.

An apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You’ll learn directly from experienced tradespeople while also completing technical training through a college or training provider.

Each trade has its own apprenticeship structure, including the number of hours required and how training is divided between work and school.

Step 3: Find an Employer (to provide on-the-job training)

To begin an apprenticeship, you typically need an employer who is willing to hire you and train you. This is one of the more challenging steps, especially when you’re just starting out.

Many people find their first opportunity by applying directly to companies, reaching out to contractors, or using job boards. Networking can also help here. Talking to people already working in the trades can lead to opportunities that aren’t always publicly advertised.

Not sure where to start? Check out our guide on finding a job in Canada.

Step 4: Register Your Training Agreement

Once you’ve found an employer, you’ll need to officially register your apprenticeship with your province or territory. This involves submitting a training agreement that outlines your apprenticeship details, including your employer, trade, and training plan.

Registration is important because it ensures your work hours and training are recognized toward your certification. Without it, your experience may not count toward completing your apprenticeship.

Step 5: Get Certified

After completing your apprenticeship, you’ll need to pass a certification exam to become a fully qualified tradesperson. If your trade is part of the Red Seal program, you can take the Red Seal exam, which allows you to work across multiple provinces and territories without needing to re-certify.

Once certified, you’re officially recognized in your trade and can work independently, take on more advanced roles, or even start your own business.

Immigration to Canada through the Skilled Trades

The focus of this article is about how to work in the skilled trades in Canada, not how to immigrate. However, we’d be fools not include some basic information about Canadian immigration options for skills tradespeople. At a broad scale, there are four main pathways for skilled tradespeople hoping to immigrate to Canada:

1. Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Trades Program: For skilled tradespeople who have a job offer in Canada and/or a Canadian certificate of qualification to practice their trade. Learn more.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many PNPs offer pathways for skilled tradespeople. Like the federal program, most of these require a job offer and/or certificate to practice the trade in Canada.
3. Work Permit: Canada offers a range of different work permit options, including job-offer based work permits, Working Holiday programs, work permits for partners of students, and more.

These options all present different challenges. If you are serious about immigrating to Canada, begin by taking our Canadian immigration quiz. You may also consider booking a consultation with our regulated immigration consultant to better assess your immigration options.

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