Express Entry Advice

[Schulz]

Dear All,

My situation seems to place me in a grey area, meaning I am not sure how best to apply, so I am seeking any advice you may be able to offer. I am seeking to apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

I am a 27 year-old UK citizen and moved to Vancouver, BC on a 2 year IEC visa after graduating from university in England with a B.Sc. in Sport and Exercise Science (June 2017). This is not the field I have been working in. I was offered the role of Apprentice Plumber shortly after arriving here, and really loved the job, so decided to change career. I have been doing this job since February 2018 and have 2500+ hours registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA). It is listed under NOC 7251 http://noc.esdc.gc.ca/English/noc/Profile.aspx?val=7&val1=7251&ver=16. Here it says "apprentice plumber".

On that basis, I completed the Express Entry eligibility wizard, which suggested I had enough points to apply (CRS calculation 519 points). I have had an ECA done and completed an IELTS English exam scoring 9.0 in each category.

Today I began my online application for express entry. Reaching the 'Work History - Occupation' section, I see the following:

If the "primary occupation" is:

• a qualified trade (four-digit code begins with 632, 633, 72, 73, 82, 92), this is the date they became qualified to practice on their own in Canada. (For example, when they moved from apprentice to being a licensed tradesperson.)
• any other job, this is the date they first obtained the minimum education or training stated in the NOC description. (Note: if the NOC only states high school, this is the date they graduated.)

I am not a licensed Journeyman Plumber. I have been working as an apprentice. However, as mentioned earlier, "Apprentice Plumber" is listed under NOC 7251, suggesting my work as an apprentice qualifies as experience in Skill Level B. Moreover, NOC 7251 states "trade certification is voluntary in British Columbia".

It seems as though there is a disconnect between the NOC 7251 description and the options I have during my application for Express Entry. When being asked the "date I first became qualified to practice in this occupation", what do I put? I qualify as an apprentice plumber, so could put the date I graduated high-school (in the UK), although this has not been verified with an ECA, which only looked at my university degree. I'm also aware that I'm not fully qualified in this occupation.

Do my 2 years of experience here in Canada count for nothing in terms of immigration points?

If so, what are my options for applying to remain here in Canada?

 

[OldBoy31]

From what I just read on google, "Currently, BC remains the only province with no compulsory-designated trades. Compulsory certification restricts the practice of a trade, or certain aspects within the trade, to certified journeypersons or an indentured apprentice."
It means you are correct and getting a trade certificate is voluntary and not mandatory. You should be able to claim points.

 

[Schulz]

Thank you for the reply.

My concern is actually less about the points in this scenario. I am worried that they specifically give an example of "when they moved from apprentice to journeyman" and by submitting an application with a date, they could see this as me falsely stating that I'm a qualified Plumber?

In any case, do you think I should put the date I began this career, or the date I graduated from high-school and became qualified to be an apprentice?

Is there an opportunity to submit a cover letter with my application to explain this to the officer that will process my case?

 

[jes_ON]

My concern is actually less about the points in this scenario. I am worried that they specifically give an example of "when they moved from apprentice to journeyman" and by submitting an application with a date, they could see this as me falsely stating that I'm a qualified Plumber?

In any case, do you think I should put the date I began this career, or the date I graduated from high-school and became qualified to be an apprentice?

Is there an opportunity to submit a cover letter with my application to explain this to the officer that will process my case?

I understand the dilemma. I wonder if the next version of the NOC will have separate NOCs for apprentices, it seems that´s what IRCC would like.

I suggest putting your high school graduation date and providing a letter of explanation (LOE), you can upload it as part of your employment documents.