There are a number of reasons why no Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates were declared. IRCC prioritizes sending CEC invitations to candidates who are eligible for more than one program. IRCC invites candidates to apply for the CEC when they are eligible for both the FSWP and the CEC, or if they are eligible for all three programs including the FSTP. The reason is because CEC candidates do not need to have a proof of funds in order to apply for immigration, where as FSWP and FSTP candidates without a Canadian job offer do. So, it is more desirable for candidates who are eligible for both to apply through the CEC.

If FSTP candidates were eligible for other programs, IRCC would invite them to apply for those programs first. Otherwise their scores were not high enough. IRCC occasionally holds draws specifically for FSTP candidates to give these skilled workers an opportunity to apply for Canadian immigration.

It stands to reason that as more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are issued, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement could go down. IRCC will have to continue inviting candidates from all programs in order to meet its 2023 immigration targets according to its current multi-year immigration levels plan. About 80% of candidates who respond to their invitations in these new all-program draws are expected to get decisions in six months.