Sorry,long...

I've been looking at so many different immigration agencies on the web and then i come on british expats to see if i can find any info on the companies i may wanna go ahead and use.Seems to me like I should be very vary of companies promising things that sound too good to be true.However,i have a problem as my husband and I want to move to Canada but have no real qualifications and are not skilled
There was a company offering us a way to get to Canada if my hubby was to do a study program which begins with a correspondence course carried out in your current country of residence. Once the course has been completed, you then go to Canada to begin the Practicum (Work experience) section with a sponsoring employer for three weeks. This consists largely of basic Health and Safety training and for our construction trade courses and is designed for those who have never been on a building site. After the work experience the employer will sponsor him for twelve months work. This work is at Apprentice level, since 14 weeks is not enough time to learn any trade fully(thats what it says on the site)
If we were to do it ourselves and not use a migration company,Is there any way we can go to Canada by applying for jobs etc?
What other way can we go?
Currently my hubby is working as duty operations manager of a company and has been working for his current employer for nearly 10 years.

Is it worth doing this course with this immigration company?
All in all it will cost us about 9grand,we don't mind the cost if it means working and living in Canada because we don't exactly fit the skilled criteria

Just a couple of thoughts.

I have never heard of this as a way to get into Canada. That doesn't mean it is not legitimate, but I would tread carefully. They are asking for a lot of money. I would expect a legitimate operation to charge a retainer (absolute maximum 1/3) with the balance on completion - i.e when you get the work permit they promise. If they want more than 1/3 up front I would be very, very wary indeed.

Canadian apprenticeships are typically over four years. AFAIK there are no "get-in-quick" schemes for workers who have not completed an apprenticeship programs. It may be possible for entry as a student, but I don't know about this. Maybe others will be able to comment.

Thankyou for taking the time to reply jon.
They are not asking for the payment upfront but gradually over the course of the help we'll be receiving from them.I think its 3000 to begin with,then another 3 after we are given work permits...Oh i hope its legit and works out.I doubt we'll get anywhere with just applying for jobs online and hoping for the best

Run....run like the wind.

You definitely wont get anywhere by doing that, and even if someone was to make a job offer, by the sounds of things it wouldnt get approved in any event (assuming you're correct in no quals/no skills).

Im not really sure what to suggest, but I'd think very carefully before handing 9k over- even if it is in installments. Plus, I wouldnt be suprised if they have get out clauses etc, while still making you responsible for full payment.
These type of companies seem very exploitative to me- ie/ charging extortionate fees to people who have no other option.

I don't have any real qualifications, just a couple of crap grade cse's from school, what I do have though is experiece in a job.

It really surprised me though, I am a salesman and salesmen are ten a penny in my experience, BUT, we decided we were going to Canada, we did a points test (online and there are many out there, I am sure there will be one in the wiki), we had EXCACTLY 67 points, just enough to get in.

BUT...the 67 pointes were only attained once we had a written offer of a job.

So, sent my cv out on spec to a few company's, got a good reply to both, me and the Mrs did a reccie in Aug, I had 2 interviews, it turned out I got both jobs, picked the one I wanted and then the new employer did what they needed to do to satify services canada that I was the one for the job (LMO).

So we got a 3 year work permit and once we sell our place, we will be on the next flight out.

My point is, if you are determined enough, and it sounds like you are, then GO FOR IT, you'll be surprised (as I was), that if you can get a job, you can be fast tracked.

Good luck.

PS. What do you do?

COMPLETELY AGREE.

Thankyou for your post tones_guy,you've made us feel alot better We really do want to go and are determined.My husband's currently works in a company based in heathrow as a duty operations manager,he's been working there for about 10 yrs.Even before that he's more or less been in customer service jobs.He's always been really good at his jobs and gets promoted quite quickly after he's started.I know that if he applied for jobs,he'll get really good references if a canadian employer gave him a chance.
Anyway,sorry to drone on but is it better if he went out there in person to look for a job?

There is the Community Identifed Stream in Nova Scotia that need no points or large amounts of cash. We entered this way and it was very fast - around 15 months in all. Send me a Private Message and I'll answer your questions.

Hi- im sorry to keep putting a downer on things, but there are tons of people who have years experience, would get a good CV, but still wouldnt get in. Ask around in the immigration forum- there are a few contributors who know the score inside out, and im sure they can give you some proper advice...

That's the ticket, I was surprised I got in, experience does overtake the need for lets say a degree etc..., and the type of work your OH does, does not require a degree or specific job qualifications.

And yes, there is no substitute to going out there and doing face to face interviews.

As I mentioned, try set a few up, be specific and identify targets to see before you go, set interviews up and go for it.

If you need any other info about my situation PM me.

Cheers Chris.

I am sure those with this tons of experience will answer your thread here, I am just sharing my experience and I got in.

Chris

Most trades need to have 9000hrs + behind them, qualifications do count in trade, but only when you have been checked checked and double cheked :curse:

i have seen the websites etc on becoming an electrician in XX weeks etc, but once you get down to it and meet the guys over in canada you will see that you dnt stand a chance at working there.

Alberta are taking on more than trades, do a search on google.ca and check them out, i know its hard, but try and do a interview recci and line up meeting and greeting whilst there, also go with references and resume in hand, dont use the term CV as they dont like it, also look on the wiki and make sure that your resume is canadian'd as they like to see it.

Some on here have got job offers from being in the uk, but most people want to meet you face to face

Hope it helps
Gill

Thankyou so much guys,your advice is invaluable Hopefully going there in person will help.Also gonna look into the nova scotia thing.

Article in today's Calgary Herald that may give some hope for the OP.

New rules to woo foreign workers

This would apply more to B.C. and Alberta I believe.

Cheers
Steve