The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is intended for people who already work in Canada. It takes into account the fact that you may have already set up social networks and have Canadian work experience. To be eligible to apply for this program, you have to have worked for at least one year in a skilled, professional or technical position at a Canadian company. You must also pass a language test.
You don’t qualify for the CEC if you’re self-employed. Some foreigners who attend university in Canada gain experience working at a coop or interning. Those positions don’t count as skilled, professional or technical positions within the Canadian workforce.
However, the CEC is ideal for people who graduate from a Canadian university or college. Those people are usually allowed to stay in the country temporarily with a postgraduate work permit. After one year of working in a qualified field under that permit, you may become eligible to apply for Express Entry under the CEC. 5 years of Canadian work experience.