New NOC List for Express Entry Certificate of Qualification (CEC) in 2023

In a significant move, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially updated the list of trade occupations eligible for Express Entry certificates of qualification on September 8, 2023. This update brings about a transformative change, expanding the opportunities for individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada. With a total of 101 occupations now on the list, this development is set to make the dreams of many aspirants come true.

The Game-Changer: No Work Experience Required

One of the most remarkable aspects of this update is that it does not require any previous work experience in any of the listed occupations. Instead, all you need is to obtain a certificate of qualification for one of these 101 occupations. This is a game-changer for anyone aspiring to build a career in Canada.

Boosting Your CRS Score

A certificate of qualification is not just a piece of paper; it can be your ticket to significantly boosting your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. It offers up to 50 additional CRS points to your Express Entry profile, making it a valuable asset in your immigration journey. These points can be the difference between receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or not.

No Need for a Job Offer

In addition to the no-work-experience requirement, another remarkable feature of this update is that you don’t need a job offer from a Canadian employer to earn these additional points. This opens up the doors for a more diverse range of candidates to qualify for Express Entry.

Enroll in Skilled Trades Programs

If you’re already in Canada with a valid Express Entry profile or planning to create one, we strongly recommend considering enrolling in one of the skilled trades programs. These programs are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen trade.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Qualification

Once you’ve become proficient in your chosen trade through a skilled trades program, the next step is to clear an examination to obtain a certificate of qualification from one of the Canadian provinces. This certificate is your proof of expertise and your gateway to exciting career opportunities in Canada.

Expanding Horizons: Express Entry Draws

With the introduction of these additional occupations, there is a high likelihood that we will witness Express Entry draws specifically for Transport and/or Trade occupations in the near future. This means more opportunities for candidates with skills in these areas.

Full List of 101 Occupations Eligible for Express Entry Certificate of Qualification

Here’s a comprehensive list of the 101 occupations eligible for the Express Entry Certificate of Qualification:

• Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists – 22114
• Drafting technologists and technicians – 22212
• Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) – 22311
• Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics – 22312
• Chefs – 62200
• Cooks – 63200
• Butchers – retail and wholesale – 63201
• Bakers – 63202
• Hairstylists and Barbers – 63210
• Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations – 72010
• Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations – 72011
• Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades – 72012
• Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades – 72013
• Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers – 72014
• Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades – 72020
• Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews – 72021
• Supervisors, printing and related occupations – 72022
• Supervisors, railway transport operations – 72023
• Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators – 72024
• Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations – 72025
• Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors – 72100
• Tool and die makers – 72101
• Sheet metal workers – 72102
• Boilermakers – 72103
• Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters – 72104
• Ironworkers – 72105
• Welders and related machine operators – 72106
• Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200
• Industrial electricians – 72201
• Power system electricians – 72202
• Electrical power line and cable workers – 72203
• Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers – 72204
• Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians – 72205
• Plumbers – 72300
• Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers – 72301
• Gas fitters – 72302
• Carpenters – 72310
• Cabinetmakers – 72311
• Bricklayers – 72320
• Insulators – 72321
• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
• Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402
• Railway carmen/women – 72403
• Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors – 72404
• Machine fitters – 72405
• Elevator constructors and mechanics – 72406
• Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers – 72410
• Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators – 72411
• Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics – 72420
• Appliance servicers and repairers – 72421
• Electrical mechanics – 72422
• Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics – 72423
• Other small engine and small equipment repairers – 72429
• Crane operators – 72500
• Water well drillers – 72501
• Other technical trades and related occupations – 72999
• Concrete finishers – 73100
• Tilesetters – 73101
• Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers – 73102
• Roofers and shinglers – 73110
• Glaziers – 73111
• Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) – 73112
• Floor covering installers – 73113
• Residential and commercial installers and servicers – 73200
• General building maintenance workers and building superintendents – 73201
• Pest controllers and fumigators – 73202
• Other repairers and servicers – 73209
• Transport truck drivers – 73300
• Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators – 73301
• Railway and yard locomotive engineers – 73310
• Railway conductors and brakemen/women – 73311
• Heavy equipment operators – 73400
• Printing press operators – 73401
• Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction – 73402
• Supervisors, logging and forestry – 82010
• Supervisors, mining and quarrying – 82020
• Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services – 82021
• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors – 82030
• Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services – 82031
• Underground production and development miners – 83100
• Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers – 83101
• Logging machinery operators – 83110
• Fishing masters and officers – 83120
• Fishermen/women – 83121
• Supervisors, mineral and metal processing – 92010
• Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities – 92011
• Supervisors, food and beverage processing – 92012
• Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing – 92013
• Supervisors, forest products processing – 92014
• Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing – 92015
• Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling – 92020
• Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing – 92021
• Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing – 92022
• Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing – 92023
• Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly – 92024
• Power engineers and power systems operators – 92100
• Water and waste treatment plant operators – 92101
• Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing – 93100
• Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing – 93101
• Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators – 93102

What is a Certificate of Qualification?

A certificate of qualification is an official document that certifies an individual’s qualification to work in a specific skilled trade. It serves as evidence that the individual has successfully passed a certification exam and met all the requirements to practice their trade in a particular province or territory.

In conclusion, the updated Express Entry Certificate of Qualification Occupation List represents a golden opportunity for individuals looking to establish a career in Canada. With no work experience required and the potential to boost your CRS score significantly, this is a game-changer in the world of immigration. So, if you have a dream of making Canada your home, start exploring the possibilities and consider enrolling in a skilled trades program to kickstart your journey.