Quebec invites skilled workers in manual & intermediate jobs, i.e., on July 31, Quebec extended another round of invitations through its Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).
This marks the first time the province has targeted workers in the Intermediate and Manual Skills stream since launching invitations under the PSTQ earlier this year.
Details Of The Latest Draw
On July 31, 2025, the Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration invited 273 candidates to apply for permanent selection under the PSTQ’s Intermediate and Manual Skills stream.
To qualify in this draw, candidates were required to:
- Achieve a score of at least 661 points or higher.
- Be living in Quebec but outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community.
- Have at least 24 months of work experience within the past five years, including a minimum of 12 months in Quebec in their primary occupation.
The profiles selected came from the Arrima bank on July 28, 2025, at 8 a.m.
About The Intermediate And Manual Skills Stream
As Quebec invites skilled workers in manual & intermediate jobs, let us discuss in detail about the stream.
Well, this pathway is designed for foreign nationals who meet certain employment, education, and language criteria. Specifically, candidates must:
- Have a main occupation that falls under FEER categories 3, 4, or 5.
- Ensure that their profession is not among Quebec’s regulated occupations.
- Demonstrate French-language proficiency at level 5 or above in speaking and listening, as measured by the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (or an equivalent test).
If applying with a spouse or common-law partner, the accompanying partner must demonstrate French proficiency at level 4 or higher in both speaking and listening.
In terms of education, candidates must hold one of the following:
- A diploma equivalent to a Quebec high school diploma
- A diploma from a full-time study program of at least one year, equivalent in Quebec to:
- Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
- Attestation of Vocational Specialization (secondary level)
- Attestation of College Studies (CEGEP level).
The program must consist of at least 600 hours (secondary level) or 900 hours (college level) of study. Importantly, the diploma must be obtained before submitting the PSTQ application.
Note: FEER (Formation, Études, Expérience et Responsabilités) is the French equivalent of TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) in Canada’s NOC system.
Understanding FEER Categories 3, 4, And 5
FEER 3
Jobs in this category usually require:
- Post-secondary programs of less than two years at a community college, institute of technology, or CEGEP.
- Apprenticeship training under two years.
- More than six months of on-the-job training or specific work experience.
- Several years of related experience from a FEER 4 occupation.
FEER 4
Occupations in this category typically require:
- A high school diploma.
- Several weeks of on-the-job training alongside some high school education.
- Related experience from a FEER 5 occupation.
FEER 5
These jobs demand minimal training and often do not require any formal education.
Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) officially replaced the Regular Skilled Worker Program in late 2024. However, it only came into effect by mid-2025, when the province started issuing invitations.
On July 17, 2025, Quebec conducted its first-ever draws under the PSTQ, focusing on two streams:
- Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills stream
- Exceptional Talent stream
During this initial draw, 238 invitations were issued. The province primarily targeted candidates already living in Quebec, with French language skills, provincial work or study experience, and employment in in-demand occupations.
With the July 31 draw, Quebec has now expanded the PSTQ to include the Intermediate and Manual Skills stream, opening the door for more candidates to qualify for permanent residence.
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