Canada Conducts Historic Category-Based Selection for Trades Occupations in Express Entry

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to more candidates in the latest Express Entry draw of 2023.

On August 3rd, the department invited 1,500 candidates in the first-ever targeted category-based Express Entry draw for candidates in the trades. The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 388. This targeted draw aims to attract professionals in trades like carpentry, plumbing, and welding to bolster Canada’s construction sector.

Earlier on August 2nd, IRCC conducted a category-based draw for candidates with French proficiency, granting 800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates with a minimum CRS score of 435. Another draw for French speakers had taken place on July 12th.

All-program Express Entry draws resumed on August 1st, where IRCC invited 2,000 candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with a minimum CRS score of 517. This marked the first all-program Express Entry draw since July 11th.

In July, there were several notable draws, including a category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates on July 11-12, where 3,800 candidates were invited with a minimum CRS score of 375. On July 11, there was an all-program draw with 800 candidates invited and a minimum CRS score of 505, the highest score for any all-program draw in 2023.

The month of July also saw draws on July 4-7, with various category-based selection draws for candidates in STEM occupations, healthcare professionals, and candidates with strong French-speaking abilities.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an application management system that assesses candidates based on human capital factors like work experience, occupation, language ability, education, and age. The system assigns a Comprehensive Ranking System score, and candidates with higher scores are more likely to receive invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

IRCC introduced new category-based selection criteria on May 31, emphasizing specific attributes over just high CRS scores. The new categories focus on healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, agri-food, and strong French-language proficiency, aiming to address labor force gaps and promote the French language across Canada.