Skilled Immigrants: Work in Canada as a Plumber

Get Your High School Certificate

The first step to becoming a plumber in Canada is to get your high school certificate, preferably with some courses related to plumbing. This will help you meet the minimum education requirement for most plumbing apprenticeship programs and immigration programs. If you attended a vocational high school, you may have an advantage over other applicants.

Find an Employer for an Apprenticeship Program

The next step is to find an employer who is willing to hire you as an apprentice plumber in your preferred province or territory. You can use online platforms such as eJobbo to search for plumbing jobs in Canada and contact potential employers directly.

You can also check the websites of provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities for more information on how to apply for an apprenticeship program.

An apprenticeship program is a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction that lasts for about four years. During this time, you will learn the skills and knowledge needed to become a qualified plumber. You will also earn a wage while you learn.

Get Your Journeyman Certification

After completing your apprenticeship program, you will need to get your journeyman certification in plumbing or a related metalworking trade. This is a credential that proves your competence and ability as a plumber. To get your journeyman certification, you will need to pass a written exam administered by your provincial or territorial authority. You may also need to meet other requirements such as having a valid driver’s license or a criminal record check.

Gain Work Experience

Once you have your journeyman certification, you will need to gain at least two years of work experience within the last five years in plumbing or a related trade. This will make you eligible for most immigration programs that target skilled trades workers. Work experience is also important for building your reputation and network in the Canadian plumbing industry.

Choose an Immigration Program

The final step is to choose an immigration program that suits your profile and goals. There are several immigration programs that can help you move to Canada as a plumber, depending on your skills, qualifications, work experience, language ability, and location preference. Some of the most popular immigration programs for plumbers are:

• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This is a program managed by the Express Entry system that invites skilled trades workers who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The FSTP requires applicants to have at least two years of work experience in plumbing or a related trade, a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian authority, and a minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French.
• The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): This is a program that allows provinces and territories to nominate skilled workers who meet their labour market needs to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Each province and territory has its own PNP streams and criteria, some of which are aligned with the Express Entry system. The PNP streams that target plumbers vary by province and territory, but they usually require applicants to have work experience, education, language skills, and a job offer or an expression of interest from an employer in the province or territory.
• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP): This is a program that helps employers in the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) hire foreign workers who have the skills and experience they need. The AIP has three streams: the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, and the Atlantic International Graduate Program. The AIP streams require applicants to have work experience, education, language skills, and a job offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
• The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): This is a program that helps employers in rural and northern communities attract and retain foreign workers who can contribute to their economic development. The RNIP has 11 participating communities across Canada, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process. The RNIP streams require applicants to have work experience, education, language skills, and a job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities.

To apply for any of these immigration programs, you will need to have your credentials assessed by a designated organization to verify their equivalency to Canadian standards. You will also need to provide proof of your language proficiency in English or French, such as a test result from IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF. You may also need to submit other documents such as medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics.

How Much Do Plumbers Make in Canada?

Working in Canada as a plumber can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for skilled immigrants. However, it requires some preparation and planning to meet the requirements and expectations of the Canadian plumbing industry and the immigration system.

By following the steps outlined in this blogpost, you can increase your chances of finding a plumbing job and immigrating to Canada successfully.