How to Immigrate to Canada as a Glazier

What is a building without windows? Many people will admire skyscrapers whose facades are made entirely of glass panes, or beautiful residential buildings with huge windows that provide residents with a beautiful view and plenty of natural light.

Few people will think, “Hey, it took a professional to install that window perfectly and safely,” and that’s where glaziers have an advantage. One of the most unassuming professions in the world means good demand and even better wages.

Have you ever thought about immigrating to Canada as a glazier? We suspect that the first thing you want to know is whether you will find a job and how much you will earn.

• Glaziers are very much in-demand in Canada, as with all other trades, so the odds of you being able to find a job are very good.
• Glaziers typically earn around $63,900 a year in Canada. This is 21 higher than the average trade worker salary, which also gives an indication to the demand for qualified glaziers

So what are the options when it comes to immigration and permanent settlement in Canada? There are many opportunities for skilled workers to settle in Canada, live and work there full time, and eventually become Canadian citizens.

How You Can Immigrate To Canada

The first option is the Express Entry Program, Canada’s premium immigration program. Launched in 2015, the program is designed to expedite the immigration applications of talented foreign workers so they can come to Canada and start work as quickly as possible. The program includes three immigration streams depending on your occupation and qualifications:

• Skilled Worker Program – for people with managerial or professional qualifications and experience;
• Skilled Trades Program – for qualified trades workers and journeymen under one of the following major groups:
  • Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades; Glaziers are in this group
  • Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
  • Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
  • Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
  • Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
  • Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers
• Canada Experience Class – for people who fall into one of the above two categories and have at least one year of experience working in Canada already.

Skilled Trades Program Requirements

• Skilled work experience – you must have at least two years work experience within the last five years as a qualified glazier before you apply
• A valid full time job offer (minimum contract of one year) or a certificate of qualification as a plumber from a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.
• Language ability – certain aspects of your job will depend on your ability to communicate effectively with customers, for this reason you will need to pass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test and earn a minimum CLB score of 4 in all four sections; reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• Qualifications – there is no educational requirement, however it will boost your score if you have your qualification/certification credentials evaluated.
• Eligible – you must be eligible to immigrate to Canada, this means you cannot have a criminal record, you must be in good health and you must have legal status in the country you are living in now.

When you arrive in Canada, you must be assessed by a provincial authority! Each province has its own independent body that assesses your skills. So make sure you get assessed in the province where you want to work. An alternative to Express Entry is to apply directly to the province where you want to live and work through the Provincial Nomination Program. If the province has a need for skilled glaziers (pretty much all provinces need all types of skilled workers), they will justify your application for permanent residence to the Immigration Refugee Council of Canada with a Provincial Nomination.