Hi everyone

To start with i am new to this forum so i hope I'm posting this in the right place.
I'm currently trying to find an employer in Calgary, Alberta to take me on the provincial nominee program.
I have a city and guilds NVQ level 2 in bricklaying and construction (I'm still not 100% sure if this qualification is recognized in Canada) and will have to take extra training when over their.
anyway to cut to the point i just wanted to know if the construction industry has been effected in Canada as bad as in England and what the chances are of be being successful??
Also does anybody know any good job sites for construction??

hope i have made sense

Hi Dom and welcome to the forum.

Construction has definitely been hit, if you do a search of the forums (top right) then you'll find lots of threads from people who are either struggling to find work, or who have gone out on a TWP and been made redundant. The economy in Canada is not great at the mo and unfortunately there are lots of Canadians out of work so it makes it much harder for foreign workers to find an employer willing to go through the LMO process for them.

As for job websites, have a read of the Job Hunting section of the Wiki (on blue bar at top of page) which will explain the best way to go about trying to find work - websites are not terribly effective. It's got loads of good articles which will hopefully help.

As for extra training, I don't know if bricklaying is a trade that you would need your Red Seal in to work in Canada? Again, just put 'Red Seal' into the Wiki and it'll bring up the info about that for you, I know most trades need to get it, but am not sure about bricklaying.

Basically, grab a cuppa and get reading! This forum will have loads of useful info for you.

Best of luck.

Construction's definitely been hit, no question. The only brickie I know out here in Calgary does almost exlusively blockwork on condo projects and cladding on houses etc due to the lack of brick homes. It's a bad time to be looking for work in that industry, but you never know...

Hi

I think the link that you are looking for is -- http://www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca/in...ex_content.asp

Also if you check the job bank site out then there is a need still in alberta, plus arriving on a recci and calling at doors may help, especially in these times

http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/res_eng...yer&Student=No

LB

That's what I was thinking .... not many brick buildings in Calgary ... some of the larger public buildings maybe .....

Try this one, my husbands a stonemason and we found it helpful

same boat as you though, think we've picked the wrong time to start the ball rolling

http://www.tradesinfo.ca/

Hey thanks for all your input guys i will have a nice long read through things now.
My plan is to be over in Canada by about October 2010 so i just pray that these bad times fly over nice and quick.
I'm also a little worried that Ive heard a few times that not much is built out of brick over their and feel I'm really going to struggle finding work.
I'm 24 and only have 2 years experience as it is.
This is why I'm thinking of doing a couple of courses in IT, that way i will have experience and qualifications in something else.
My long term girlfriend has already got her PR and will be moving over next year when she finishes university... just hope i can sort myself out

Do you live with your girlfriend? If you've lived with her for at least a year (and can prove it with joint bank account, joint rental agreement, utility bills in both names, etc) then she could sponsor you once she moves to Canada.

If you don't already live with her, then could you? So that you can get the year of living together before she moves?

All the masonry companies are laying guys off, don't come over this year unless you have to it will be hard to get a job.

No i don't live with my girlfriend. she is a student and lives in student accommodation and after losing my construction job here in England and now working a minimum wage job Ive had to stay living with my parents(rent free which is awesome of them) as I'm trying to save for the big move and generally survive.
So i don't think it would be good idea for us to live together for them reasons.
If me and my girlfriend opened a joint bank account would that be enough?
and if she was to sponsor me how would it work?
would she have to arrive in Canada without me and then apply to sponsor me and if so how long roughly would it take for paper work and stuff to come through?

sorry if I'm blabbering on

No, you have to prove you've lived together as man and wife for at least a year. So if you're not prepared to live together then that route's out.

Have a read of the Wiki (on blue bar at top of page) which will give you all the info you need - just put 'spousal sponsorship' into the search bar and it'll bring up the article.

Ok cheers, i will have a look, so living to together might be the best option, its something we will both have to look into.

hi im a bricklayer in calgary been here nearly a year been bricklaying in england for about 12 years i got my job before i got here and thought or was led to belive i would be bricklaying but really there is not much brickwork here havent done mush since ive been here its stone and fake stone calgary isnt really good for brickwork only commercial work is mostly done in brick work here but the work is good but its slowed down alot hopefully it will pick up again when you get here let me know i may be able to get you a job