Canada Lists 25 Skilled Trades in Demand as Kenyans Explore New Opportunities to Work Abroad

Canada has announced a growing demand for skilled tradespeople, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians and mechanics, as the country seeks workers to support its housing and infrastructure projects.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a public call encouraging qualified workers to explore available immigration pathways. The department said applicants with the relevant training, skills and work experience could find opportunities in different parts of the country.

The demand comes as Canada continues to address labour shortages affecting its construction and industrial sectors. The country is also implementing a recruitment initiative aimed at increasing the number of skilled tradespeople available to support its housing needs.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Team Canada Strong initiative, announced in April 2026, commits approximately KSh 780 billion (USD 6 billion) towards recruiting, training and employing between 80,000 and 100,000 Red Seal trades workers over five years.

The programme includes paid work placements and apprenticeship support. Eligible apprentices can receive up to KSh 1.3 million towards their first-year salary, while workers who obtain Red Seal certification may qualify for a bonus of approximately KSh 649,000.

For Kenyans interested in working in Canada, the Express Entry system offers one possible route to permanent residence. Its trades category covers about 25 occupations, including carpenters, plumbers, welders, bricklayers, industrial electricians, pipefitters and heavy-duty equipment mechanics.

On October 1, 2026, Canada invited 3,500 candidates through a trades-focused Express Entry draw. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 476, compared with 518 in a Canadian Experience Class draw held two days earlier.

Applicants seeking to qualify through the Federal Skilled Trades Program generally need at least 12 months of full-time work experience in an eligible trade within the previous three years. The experience can be gained in Kenya or another country, provided it meets the programme’s requirements.

Candidates must also satisfy the applicable language requirements. Under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark is 5 for speaking and listening and 4 for reading and writing.

A Canadian job offer is not compulsory for every candidate applying through the trades category, although a qualifying offer may improve an applicant’s CRS score. A provincial nomination can add 600 points, significantly increasing the candidate’s chances of receiving an invitation.

Canadian Job Bank figures cited in the report indicate that carpenters can earn between KSh 3,238 and KSh 6,476 per hour. Plumbers earn a median hourly wage of approximately KSh 4,402, equivalent to about KSh 9.1 million annually for full-time work.

Kenyans interested in applying should first establish whether their actual work duties match an eligible occupation under Canada’s National Occupational Classification system. They should also take an approved language test, such as IELTS General Training or CELPIP General, and create an Express Entry profile if they meet the relevant requirements.

IRCC had not announced the date of its next trades-focused draw as of October 22, 2026.

The announcement comes as Canada prepares to introduce changes to its Express Entry points system on November 3, 2026. Under the announced reforms, eligible candidates with Canadian work experience or qualifying job offers in high-wage occupations could receive additional CRS points.

The changes are expected to affect how candidates are ranked, making it important for prospective applicants to check the latest eligibility rules before submitting or updating their profiles.

Although the recruitment initiative seeks to increase the supply of skilled workers, participation in the programme does not automatically guarantee a job, an immigration invitation or permanent residence. Applicants must meet the requirements of the specific employment and immigration pathways they pursue.

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