Trades jobs for Express Entry in 2026
Latest trades round
476
Lowest CRS score invited
- Date
- October 1, 2026
- Invitations
- 3,500
- Round
- #447
2 rounds in 2026 so far.
For comparison, the latest Canadian Experience Class round, open to anyone with a year of skilled work in Canada, cut off at 519.
Who qualifies
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one of the jobs below within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad. The months do not have to be in a row, and they count even if this is not your main job.
IRCC checks that the work matched the job's description in the National Occupational Classification: its lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties, including all the essential ones. A job title alone is not enough.
You also need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program. The group decides which round you can be invited in; your CRS score decides whether you are.
The 25 jobs on the 2026 list
| Occupation | NOC 2021 | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
| Butchers - retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
Codes, titles and TEER levels as IRCC publishes them (NOC 2021).
What this means for you
Picture building homes, wiring them or keeping heavy equipment running in a country that needs your skills. The list also has gas fitters, cabinetmakers, bricklayers, sheet metal workers, machinists, millwrights and industrial mechanics, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, roofers, painters, floor installers, concrete finishers, construction managers and estimators, butchers and oil and gas drilling contractors.
The trades category is not the same as the Federal Skilled Trades program, one of the three programs that get you into the pool. You can qualify for the pool through any of the three and still be invited in a trades round. Some trades, such as electrician and plumber, are regulated by each province, and you will need its certificate to work.
Every trades round
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a job offer to be invited in a category round?
No. A category asks for recent work experience in a listed job, not a job offer. You do need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program.
- My main job is not on the list. Can I still qualify?
Yes, if you have 12 months in a listed job within the last 3 years. IRCC counts that experience whatever your primary occupation is.
- Can I be in more than one group?
Yes. If your experience fits two groups, or you also have strong French, you can be invited in any round you qualify for. Being in a group never stops you from being invited in a round open to your program.
- What CRS score do I need?
There is no fixed pass mark. Each round invites the highest-scoring people who qualify for it, so the cut-off is only known afterwards. The rounds on this page show where recent cut-offs have fallen.
Last updated October 20, 2026