Let's look at some of the NOCs of the Trade priority category in the Express Entry:
1. Maintenance Supervisor and the Express Entry priorities: what you need to know
The Maintenance Supervisor occupation (NOC 72014) belongs to the category 72 - technical occupations and the trade sector, but is NOT included in the Trade Express Entry priority occupation list.
The only Supervisors who are included in the Trade Express Entry priority are those who work in the oil and gas sector: Oil and Gas Services Supervisors with NOC 82021.
This means that if you are a Maintenance Supervisor, your occupation may be in demand in Canada, especially at the provincial level, but there is no priority at the federal level through Trade Express Entry.
2. Note to mechanical technicians: which NOCs give priority to apply for permanent residence, and therefore require fewer points, and which do not
NOC 72401 — Heavy-Duty Equipment Technicians
These are mechanical technicians for the maintenance and repair of heavy equipment, including:
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Loaders
- Cranes
- Quarry dump trucks
- Tracked special equipment
- Agricultural machinery
Please note:
To work in this profession, you need a license ONLY in the provinces of Quebec and Alberta.
This profession is on the list of the priority occupations for the Trade Express Entry category. NOC 72410 — Automotive Service Technicians
These are technicians who service and repair vehicles. Licenses are REQUIRED for this profession in almost all provinces. There is no priority through the federal type of immigration through Trade Express Entry.
3. Welder and immigration through Trade Express Entry: what is crucial to know
Welders are a priority specialty for the Trade Express Entry program. Occupation code: NOC 72106 — Welders and related machine operators.
What is important:
This is a licensed profession in all provinces of Canada. But licensing is NOT MANDATORY. If you have a license, you can get up to 50 additional points in the Express Entry system.
However, to apply through Express Entry for this profession, living and working in the province of Alberta, you must either:
- Have a valid license,
- Or be officially registered as a welder's apprentice.
If you are an apprentice, you can apply under the federal Trade Express Entry category. BUT: apprentices are not eligible through the Alberta provincial program because only licensed specialists are required there.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
Copyright 2025 «SKI Immigration Inc.»
All rights reserved.
