Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta?
 

That is for the UK. Other countries may be different.

Aviator is in Canada .

I don't know about Canada but here in New Zealand bricklaying is not the same as for the UK at all.

Mostly it is light weight bricks used as cladding over a timber frame.

These tradesmen would quote for a contract or job. It would not be by brick/block or metre.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Houses in Alberta tend to be built from wood, some may have brick or stone facing, other buildings are built of concrete, I don't think in 10+ years I've seen a house being built of brick. I too have never heard of price work, I've heard of piecework - very common among trades and prices for the complete job.

Not sure where or when your friend bought a house on a lake with acres of land for $280k, doubt it was anywhere near Calgary, have a look at Realtor.ca for house prices.

Alberta is in a slump right now, we can only hope things improve quicker than forecast, I should imagine there will be very few employers needing to hire migrants requiring paperwork at the moment.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Hi,
I think most of the work I'll be doing will be industrial and big build not so much on the houses.
He bought his house 5/6 years ago it's in barrhead?
Being offered the work isn't an issue as I've already found that and they know my position and our happy to help. If things go slow I also do a lot of steel work for concrete (rebar) over here so there's a possibility I could do that I've seen a lot of jobs advertised for it.
Thanks

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

2 jobs available for Bricklayer in Alberta - Bricklaying really is not a big thing here. http://www.wowjobs.ca/BrowseResults....r=25&si=A&Dup=

Barrhead is miles from anywhere hence the cheap housing.

You may be offered work but an LMO or whatever it is called these days may not be issued, as there are loads and I mean loads of people out of work due to the oil field downturn hence why people have suggested going the IEC route. I'm not trying to pee on your parade but it may not be as easy as you think. BTW $39 per hour is a decent wage, I know people that live on lots less.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

I've had 5 companies out of the 6 reply to my emails so far all saying they'd be happy to help all offering here or there abouts the same money.
The friend I was talking about works building cranes I believe for the oil fields at fort mcmurray? And recently in Edmonton he seems to have plenty on and doing well is it just luck? Are people really struggling? Thanks

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Yes people are really struggling. Companies may say they are willing to help you but how likely a work permit is I don't know, you can but try. This is why I said you will probably end up where the job is compared to where you want to be. The unemployment rate after a quick google is at 7% compared to the same time last year of 4.4. The UK is at 5.4% in comparison. I know several people that have lost jobs in the last few months, thankfully most of them have found some kind of employment. A lady I work with is now working part time restaurant compared to full time office as jobs are hard to come by.

It used to be, 6 or 7 years ago, if you got the interview, you got the job! If I were you I'd be applying for the IEC and then taking it from there.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Did you look at IEC? It's the very first place you should start. But you need to make a profile quickly and get in the pool. Like today.

If you get an invitation, you can apply for a two year open work permit.

S

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Yes. That is how it is for here in NZ also, with the exception of Quake City.

Hopefully the OP will take the suggestion ref IEC.

Re: Bricklaying work in canada
 

Not a bad wage for one person would not like to live on it as a couple.

Look into unions fella not sure if there is a bricky one.

It is very very different working here backwards is not the word be prepared to work with lots drug user,s its the norm in construction its very frustrating and tiring.


Try not to be sponsored by a company they use it to there advantage.

good luck

By the way i am in BC alberta could be different

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Hi
As others have mentioned the economy isn't as strong in Alberta as it was a couple of years ago, but if you have a 'concrete' offer of employment and are willing to throw the dice go for it.
Just don't burn all your bridges back home as insurance maybe.
Advice can help but living it will only give you the answers you want.
Back when I came I boarded the plane with no job no where to live plus 2 dogs
As they say ' good timber does not grow with ease, the stronger the wind the stronger the trees'

Good luck and all the best for 2016

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Hi are you two by any chance bricklayers? I'm guessing you've both emigrated there?
I've been reading a lot about Alberta's economy picking up in 2016 so here's to hoping!
It won't be the only wage as she will also be working, not as good money but at least they'll be two coming in!

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

So did you make yourself a profile and become a candidate in the IEC pool? The draws for UK citizens are going on now and there are just over 4,000 spots left (when I last looked). If you get an invitation to apply for a work permit and then apply you could have that work permit within weeks.


S

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

I'd take what your friend has said with a pinch of salt personally, as most on the forum will say that the cost of living in Canada is on a par with the UK, or even a bit higher - certainly not half! $39 is about £19 an hour, so if you're on around that or less in the UK then you should be fine in Canada. You'll need decent savings to get started, just car insurance alone will take a big chunk (make sure you're sitting down when you get quotes!).

And I second what everybody else has said about the IEC, I don't think a LMIA would be granted for a bricklayer but even so IEC will be your quickest and easiest route over by a mile.

Best of luck with it.

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta -Canada
 

Calgary on average is about 25% cheaper than the area I currently live in and my understanding is Edmonton is cheaper than Calgary?
We've got the savings to get started over there so that's no problem

Re: Bricklayer/concreter wanting to move to Alberta?
 

Terminology is different in North America.

Its called Piecework over here. Means the same thing as Price work.