Canada

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney answers a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, December 3, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

A new immigration program aimed at getting skilled workers into Canada faster will start on Jan. 2.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says the new rules will help address labour shortages.

To qualify, applicants will need to already have a job offer or be pre-qualified by a province or territory.

They'll also have to meet language requirements and have a minimum of two years of work experience in a skilled trade.

The program will accept a maximum of 3,000 applications in the first year.

The federal government is working with provinces, territories and labour groups to draw up a list of occupations that will be eligible.

It's expected to include electricians, welders, heavy equipment mechanics and pipefitters.