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General Information on becoming a Temporary Foreign Worker
Information about Trades regulated in Alberta
Living in Alberta
Settlement Information
Worker Rights
Information Specific to Employers
Information Specific to Employment Agencies
Resource Contacts
Becoming a Permanent Resident
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program is administered by two federal government departments, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (Service Canada) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The TFW Program provides an opportunity for foreign workers to work in Canada temporarily.
Information on gaining employment in Alberta as a Temporary Foreign worker is available at: http://albertacanada.com/immigration/working/temporaryforeignworkers.html
Information on work permits for temporary jobs can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/work/index.asp
To access the information on the following topics is available on the HRSDC website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/index.shtml
It is illegal for employment recruitment agencies, employers or any other organization to charge a fee to obtain employment in Alberta.
To read more, including information on who can legally represent you if you choose to hire an immigration representative, check out CIC’s web pages on http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/representative/index.asp
There are two types of designated trades:
Trade and occupation descriptions provide updated specific information. It is important to become informed about how your trade is practiced and regulated in Alberta. See Trades & Occupations.
Topics for individual trades and occupations include:
Prior to coming to Canada a Temporary Foreign Worker must have a written offer of employment for a position holding a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO):
Canadian citizens or permanent resident in Canada may learn the skills of their occupation by participating in a training program called apprenticeship. They may become certified by completing an apprenticeship program or earning their certification through the Qualification Certificate Program. Temporary Foreign Workers are not eligible to become registered apprentices, but do have the opportunity earn their trade certificate by demonstrating their skills through the Qualification Certificate Program.
To work in a compulsory certification trade, a Temporary Foreign Worker MUST hold a recognized trade certificate or have an approved Qualification Certificate Program application in the trade before coming to Canada. Compulsory certification trades usually involve work where public and worker safety needs to be more closely monitored.
Under extenuating circumstances permission may be granted for an extension of up to 180 days if the worker and employer have shown progress towards certification. The employer must submit a written request to International and Provincial Assessment Services that describes the training the individual has participated and a formal training plan for the applicant which includes a minimum 40 hours trades refresher course. The plan must clearly indicate when the course starts, curriculum to be delivered and the name of the course instructor. If permission for the extension is not granted, the application will be canceled.
Although certification is available in optional certification, it is not required. The Qualification Certificate Program is available for optional certification trades and is recommended.
Temporary Foreign Worker Overview
Submitting Your Application
Application Processing
Examination Timing and Process
Certificate Employer Declaration Letter
Submit to:
International and Provincial Assessment Services
Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Community, Learner and Industry Connections
Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education
10th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 – 102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L5
Canada
Applicants from outside Canada may contact International and Provincial Assessment Services at 1-780-415-9535 or 1-780-644-2619
Common reasons for application delays or cancellation:
After your application is approved, it will remain active for a period of up to one year. Once you arrive in Canada, you will have up to 180 days to complete the certification process. Extensions beyond 180 may be considered if an employer is able to demonstrate positive steps have been taken towards certification.
The 180-day period provides time to become familiar with the trade terminology and to become accustomed to the Alberta work environment before writing the Qualification Certificate Program exams.
Upon arrival in Alberta, the applicant has 180 days to challenge the theory exam for the trade and for some trades, a practical exam. The pass mark is 70%. The time period may be extended beyond the 180 day period if the employer can demonstrate support for the applicant progressing in the certification process.
During the 180-day time period, the applicant is permitted two attempts. If after two attempts the applicant is not successful, the application is cancelled.
A third attempt on the exam may be permitted if the employer can demonstrate a formal training plan for the applicant and the applicant is progressing toward certification.
Once an approved applicant has passed the required exams for the trade, and a positive letter of declaration is provided by the employer indicating:
a Qualification Certificate is issued to the applicant.
To review resource materials or exam counselling information to prepare for the exam(s), please go to the Trades and Occupations list, click on the specific trade, and click on the "Qualification" button at the top of the page.
Exam Counselling Sheets provide a summary of the number of questions for each topic on the related examination.
For most trades the National Occupational Analysis (NOA) is available. The NOA provides:
Note the name of the occupation beside the link - you are going to an external web site so slightly different terminology may be used (i.e., Alberta uses the title “Electrician” where the related NOA is known as “Construction Electrician”.
For all trades there is a Textbook and Resource List identifying learning materials commonly used in Alberta training programs.
For all trades there is a Glossary of Terms. There may be additional Glossaries in the National Occupational Analysis (NOA).
For some trades there is a ILM Cross Reference document to assist applicants or trainers in assessing the skill and knowledge gaps related to the NOA. The document cross references the NOA to available Individual Learning Modules (ILMs).
For some trades preassembled Qualification Study Packages of ILMs are available. Click here for a complete list of Qualification Study Packages.
Mailing Address:
International and Provincial Assessment Services
Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Enterprise and Advanced Education
10th Floor Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 4L5
Email: tfwinfo@gov.ab.ca
If you are calling from outside Canada you may contact International and Provincial Assessment Services at 1-780-415-9535 or 1-780-644-2619.
Alberta offers a high standard of living and quality of life that is among the best in the world. Alberta’s strong economy places it in high demand for those looking for a new home in Canada. Before you decide to come, make yourself familiar with what life is like in Alberta, to see if it is the right place for you.
Provincial Information - http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/living/index.html
Edmonton- http://www.movetoedmonton.com/living/
Calgary- http://aboutcalgary.ab.ca/immigration/
Fort McMurray - http://www.fortmcmurrayonline.com/government/welcome.aspx
Red Deer - http://www.movingtoreddeer.ca/AgenciesHelp/EmploymentImmigration.aspx
Lethbridge - http://www.lethbridge.ca/home/default.htm
Medicine Hat - http://www.medicinehat.ca/
Grande Prairie - http://www.cityofgp.com/Default.htm
As a temporary foreign worker, your employer is responsible for making sure that you are covered by medical and health insurance and worker’s compensation when you arrive in Canada.
All workers, including temporary foreign workers, are covered by provincial Employment Standards. In general, occupations in Alberta are covered by Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Visit the Alberta Employment and Immigration web site for more information. http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/working/temporaryforeignworkers.html
There are a number of organizations throughout Alberta that provide services to help Temporary Foreign Workers settle in their life and work in Canada. Services include the following:
Canadian laws protect every worker in Canada. This includes temporary foreign workers like you. Your employer:
Every province and territory has an office that deals with labour and employment laws. A person at your local employment or labour standards office can talk to you about fair pay, hours of work, rest periods, working conditions and provide other services. You do not need your employer’s permission to call this office or visit its website. They cannot punish you or have you deported for it.
For more information on worker rights visit Citizen and Immigration Canada’s web site at http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/work/tfw-rights.asp
Topics addressed include:
You may also consult the Alberta Labour Relations Board web site at http://www.alrb.gov.ab.ca/guidecontents.html
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program is administered by two federal government departments, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (Service Canada) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The TFW Program provides an opportunity for Canadian employers to address labour shortages by temporarily hiring foreign workers.
To work in a compulsory certification trade in Alberta, workers are required to have an approved application before coming to Canada and successfully achieved certification within 180 days of arrival in Canada.
Employers credit success with Temporary Foreign Workers (Tradespersons) to
Success means moving beyond training to providing support. This is best accomplished by:
For information on the following topics go to http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/index.shtml
How to Hire a Temporary Foreign Worker – A Guidebook for Employers
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/RESOURCES/PUBLICATIONS/tfw-guide.asp#a4
For recruitment requirements
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/communications/advertrecrutment.shtml
Employers interested in hiring temporary foreign workers are required to go through a specific process to bring them to Alberta. Several government departments are involved in that process and it is important to understand what roles the federal and provincial governments play in it. For further information refer to: http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/employers/temporaryforeignworkerprogram.html
Temporary Foreign Worker: Guide for Employers Using Employment Agencies
http://employment.alberta.ca/documents/WIA/WIA-IM_tfw_er_agencies.pdf
Orientation Checklist - http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/living/index.html
Employment agencies who recruit for Alberta businesses credit success to being able to navigate the different measures of success for companies and workers, and working toward relationships that meet the goals of both employers and temporary foreign workers. The agency/trainer role can support the process from initial recruitment to trade certification in Alberta.
To best match employers and workers, effective employment agencies recommend
To ensure worker success, employment agencies recommend:
Temporary Foreign Worker: Guide for Employers Using Employment Agencies
http://employment.alberta.ca/documents/WIA/WIA-IM_tfw_er_agencies.pdf
Orientation Checklist - http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/living/index.html
Alberta Foreign Worker Hotline
Call: Toll-free in Alberta 1-877-427-6419
Outside of Alberta 780-427-6419
Email: immigration.info@gov.ab.ca
www.albertacanada.com/immigration
www.albertacanada.com/jobs
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/AHCIP.html
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/ainp.html
Alberta Temporary Foreign Worker Helpline
Call: 780-644-9955 (Edmonton local calling area) or 1-877-944-9955 from anywhere in North America
Employment Insurance (EI)
Regular Benefits, Maternity and Parental Benefits, Sickness Benefits, Compassionate Care Benefits, Fishing Benefits, Workers and/or Residents Outside Canada, Family Supplement
Toll-Free: 1 800 206-7218
Employment Standards
Call: (780) 427-3731 (Edmonton local calling area)
Or toll free in Canada by dialing 1-877-427-3731
www.employment.alberta.ca/es
How to Hire Foreign Workers Seminars
www.alberta-canada.com/immigration/howToHireForeignWorkers/index.cfm
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Toll-Free: 1 800 206-7218
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is an employer driven program. An Employer and Worker Application for a Skilled Occupation (ABPNP 005) is required to select a Skilled Worker to be considered for a nomination to become a permanent resident.
http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/employerdriven.html
