Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a recruitment drive targeting skilled tradespeople such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists from around the world, including Kenya.

The drive is part of a broader effort to fill high‑demand sectors that also include STEM, healthcare, defence, cybersecurity, critical minerals and education.

Applicants should begin by searching for open positions on Canada’s Job Bank, a government‑run portal that lists vacancies and identifies employers recruiting internationally.

IRCC provides an online immigration tool that matches users with the most suitable immigration programme after answering a brief questionnaire.

Prospective immigrants must verify whether their occupation is regulated in the province or territory where they intend to settle and arrange for credential recognition before applying for a work permit.

Once an immigration pathway is secured, newcomers can access government‑backed settlement services designed to ease their transition to life in Canada.

Canada plans to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026 through two major work‑permit programmes, with 60,000 slots allocated to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

IRCC confirmed the recruitment drive in a post on X on Monday, 5 October, emphasizing the need for skilled tradespeople to build homes and support critical infrastructure.