Canada's New Selection System for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

January 4, 2013POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 04-13CANADA'S NEW SELECTION SYSTEM FOR THE FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM (FSWP)The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa has reported that the Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced on 19 December 2012 the new selection system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) that will take effect on 04 May 2013, with the following salient features: 1. The improvements to the FSWP points system are based on a consistent result of research of the two most important factors in the economic success of immigrants namely the language proficiency and youth.2. The following are the final changes to the FSWP selection criteria:a. Minimum official language thresholds and increased points for official language proficiency, making it as the most important factor in the selection process;b. Increased emphasis on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience, are better positioned to adapt to changing labour market conditions, and who will spend greater number of years contributing to Canada's economy;c. Introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), so that education points...