Electricians
 

Hi all very new first timer here,,, so please take it easy with me, I'm a 45yr old Industrial Electrician in Ireland just waiting to lose my job. I have already applied for my Canadian PR, and I hope to settle my family in Alberta but was hoping to get a first hand reality check from electricians that have settled there.
I don't expect to find the "streets paved with gold" like they were in London when I was younger (not). But want the heads up on the pitfalls of living and looking for work in all parts of Alberta and is there anything you would have done different with 20X20 hind sight
Cheers
ps there's a drink in it for ya's when I get over

Re: Electricians
 

Hi, Welcome to BE

Im not an electrician myself, but I think the main reality check is the hassle of getting the red seal qualification. Without it its hard to either find a job, or at least find one that pays top rates.

Good luck!

Re: Electricians
 

Thanks for the reply

Re: Electricians
 

You can sit the exam, given enough certifiable hours. The Red Seal is an inter-provincial endorsement of the AB license. Without being licensed then pretty much all you can do is run around behind a qualified electrician and on a low wage, likley $10 an hour. If you are coming over it is worth taking the exam. I know of several mature students who have done it and had no problems.

Re: Electricians
 

I just don't see that. Of all the electrical contractors I've employed (commercial and also residential for a house build), there's always been a supervisor (qualified) and a team of guys that work under him (unqualified). Even the unqualified guys are earning $30+ p/hr, so it's not the end of the world in terms of earnings if you haven't passed the exams, but it may limit the breadth of opportunity somewhat.

Re: Electricians
 

Thanks for the advice lads obviously the smart thing to do (cant say I've always done the smart thing) would be to study for the exam before I land,,,, If I was just looking after my own ASS I'd go and take any job on offer and learn on the job do some study. But the wife and daughter might have something to say about that
One more thing about the RED SEAL I have looked at the RED SEAL page but it dose not give info (or maybe I just missed it) on what to study ie regulations etc,,, Does anybody have info on Canadian trade books they could recommend I buy????
Thanks again for all the help
John

Re: Electricians
 

You need this, or equivalent for the province you are going to. Some of it has to be filled in by employers, so best to get done before you leave the UK. All has to be originals, no copies accepted.

http://www.itabc.ca/Assets/ITA+Train...ge+Package.pdf

There is no list of texts. Contact an institution that delivers the program and they should be able to tell you what to study.

Re: Electricians
 

Thanks for the link Aviator,,, but if I read it right I could take the ita examination or the red seal examination both lead me to the same goal they will entitle me to work anywhere???
I have just ordered the 2009 Canadian Electrical Code book and ESAT (Electricians Self Assessment Tool) cd, so have to knuckle down now and start studying again
Thanks for all you help

Re: Electricians
 

:thumbsup:
PM me i'm an electrician in vancouver chaz

Re: Electricians
 

You challenge the one exam, it is administered by the training authority in your province and you get Red Seal if it is a Red Seal trade. With that it is recognized across Canada.

Re: Electricians
 

Unless the info you are exchanging is confidential, it is often more helpful to post information into the forum. This not only benefits the OP, but also others in similar situations. Thanks

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

You've got it, also try IPT's Electrical Handbook - Herb Putz - Handy item! & CE Code Handbook.

Red Seal is a good way to go, you can then work unsupervised. Go to Calgary to sit exam and this will give you the certificate to work in any area i.e domestic/commercial/industrial also any province. Just opens up more doors!!

You need 70% pass mark, it's quite hard so plenty of studying should do the trick. You can re-take while there but you can only do this once in a particular time, I think a year????

Let me know how you get on with everything!

Good Luck

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

Hi...I'm an Irish electrician over here. When you say Industrial...do you mean maintenance or construction industrial? You will need your Red Seal. Employers really do expect that now as opposed to a couple of years back when there was a severe shortage. The code book and the CD should be all you need. If I have some other material I will send it on to you. The majority of the 'industrial' work is in Fort Mac....oil and gas. The guinness is expensive here too!!!

Re: Electricians
 

Thanks Angela will check out the books, sitting the exam is the thing to do it's just I've been away from studying so long. I did a PLC course last year and it was a struggle to knuckle down and concentrate.
Are you an electrician????
Cheers
John

Re: Electricians
 

Hi I've both, I served my time in maintenance back in the stone age of the 80's and then when I went to England I went into construction, and when I came back to Ireland at the end of the 90's got back into maintenance have been working in a Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in Cork as a shift maintenance spark for the last 10yrs. Obviously I'd bite your hand off for any other material you have. Are you living in Alberta?? where is Fort Mac? I'll check it out on GOOGLE maps
As for Guinness, as I'm a Dub trying to intergrate with the Corkies I've taken to drinking Murphy's and Beamish and watching Hurling instead of Football
Cheers
John

Re: Electricians
 

Excuse me for butting in, but on page 7 of that form it mentions that you need to get the notary public of a Province to sign the declaration. I know this is out of anybodies hands on here, and please don't take this the wrong way but how do they know that you haven't made up your work experience?

Re: Electricians
 

They don't. You are signing the declaration as true and it is a legal undertaking, you are then swearing an oath to the the notary or lawyer who is signing as confirmation of this (you have to sign in front of the notary or lawyer).

Re: Electricians
 

They don't have to know. You are stating that what you have written is true and they are verifying that it was you that wrote it and it's your signature on the form.

Edit: I see Aviator beat me to it.:thumbup:

Re: Electricians
 

Has to be those sharp aviation minds eh!

Re: Electricians
 

Yep my husband sure is.

If you send me your address I can send off a couple of bits to you. PM me!

Like people say you can go under someone else ticket but not always on good wages, it just depends on the companies you work for. I do know people who did this and took Redseal later.

It hasn't been easy to find work this end and feel you really need to be in Canada to find and apply for it. Seems plenty there though!

They seem to be quite strict, hot on time keeping and taking breaks to the minute!!!! So really have to watch the time. Going on TWP is a difficult one, can be risky, as the LMO cannot be transferred over to another contract. But it can lead to permanent work and PR can be fast-tracked. We've always played safe, because what if we don't get PR or our contract suddenly ends?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

Hi John

Here is how we did it coming to Calgary:

1. Job offer (conditional on 2 & 3) from Canadian employer.
2. Possitive assessment from AIT.
3. Positive LMO from Service Canada (employer sends you a copy)
4. Apply for Work Permit in London or at Canadian POE.
5. Apply Service Canada for SIN number Apply CHR for Alberta Health.
6. Start work for employer & study for exam.
7. Pass exam.

Fort Macmurray is up north-work is mainly oil and gas and you would be on camp. Tough conditions going by most accounts. Construction work around Calgary is slower than it has been in the past and many of the electrical contractors wont get/or apply for an LMO. There is also the maintenance route where there are some positions and with pharma experience you could be able to sort something.....but the money wont be as good. Could never get a taste for Murphys and hurling wont be as popular here!! The Calgary Chieftains are the local GAA side here. Have a good look around the WIKI here as there is an abundance of info on it and post here with any questions. There are lots of people here willing to help and give information.

Re: Electricians
 

Ok thanks for that, I'm still going to supply some references from my current employer and try to get some from my previous employers. I'm going to need to sit three IP Red Seal exams, Electrical, Refrigeration, and Gas. So If and when I do get accepted, I'll have 3 more other obstacles to jump over to get the job I want. I've jumped over the first one which I did on Saturday, the English test, which I will find out how I have done in a couple of weeks time.

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

I think the ones who have already taken the Redseal also need to consider the other certificates you require in some employment. I.E WHMIS Certificate, etc,etc. Not sure where and when to takes these.

I guess having these will open a few more doors?

Does anyone know?

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

Hiya Angela
I wont be heading over until I hopefully get my P.R. and then they wont see me for dust. I just got delivery of the Canadian Elec Code book and the ESAT CD so have to start learning
Cheers
John

Re: Electricians
 

Unless you are handling hazardous materials WHMIS is not necessary for an electrician. If it is required an employer would generally organise it.

Re: Electricians
 

I'm looking forward to seeing the Chieftains playing when I get over,, I think I'll be starting from part 5 from your list,, fingers crossed.
I have been working right up until now so did it the slow way, in the next week or two I'll be sending my supporting documents
cheers

Re: Electricians
 

That sounds more like it pretty much the way it is here

Re: Electricians
 

It's just some of the job listings as Journeyman Electrician (commercial/industrial) are asking for some of these certs. But yeah was hoping employers would organise these as part of the package.

I would think depending what you apply for you would need these certs??

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

It would not be make or break having WHMIS. Knowing what it is is always advantageous. Not really a thing to think of as part of a package, if you can breath you can pass WHMIS.

Re: Electricians
 

Hi


LOL!

Cheers :)

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

WHMIS training is generally provided by employer. Have you visited Calgary or done a recce John? I would advise it especially if you're coming with family. "Canada is different" is much overused statement but very true!

Re: Electricians
 

No I haven't done it and I know I should have, but when I put the wheels in motion to emigrate I new my days were numbered in the job but had no finishing date, so decided not to take a break or holiday since Feb09 except for the usual bank holidays "building up rainy day money"
So I lose my job (careless hey) this Saturday morning at 7:30am GMT to a 61yr old :sneaky: incompetent fool who couldn't fault find his way out of a lit room with an arrow pointing at the door and a flashing red light above it saying this way out Pat who was offered in the region of €100,000 in redundancy and refused (there's no pockets in a shroud). And then I had to train him up because he's a Pfizer Colleague and I'm a contractor who's done the job for the last 10yrs.
Sorry for going on it's late here I'm getting tired and grumpy :eek:
So getting back to the topic I hope to get over there in September

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

Is there any other certs that we should consider, other than the Redseal?

We've already been out several times and stayed with a Canadian family. Have visited areas around Manitoba, Alberta, BC including Van Island. I think it's very important but has left me thinking may not be for me long-term. My husband has the opposite view!! So I'm keeping a very open mind but still would like to consider the move, it's one of them.

Back out to Banff in Jan to do a bit of skiing and hopefully activate Visas if they finally come?????????? Meds done Jan/April '10.

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

The IP Red Seal will be enough to get a job as an electrician. Anything else is a bonus.

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

Sounds about right, same as here!

One thing I've noticed, the advertising through cic job bank has suddenly decreased. Used to be pages and pages of Electricians required across Canada. Now there's a page or two.

Was hoping new oilsands projects to kick start about now with accomodation, any news on that?

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

I'm not sure about the oilsands projects as I have not worked up there. They do seem to be a little slower than previous years. As regards electrician vacancies: there definitely has been a slowdown. Constuction is not as busy in Calgary due to the downturn but they are expecting an improvement towards the end of summer. LMO's are increasingly difficult to get. Either employers dont want the hassle or Service Canada are being more stringent and thorough.

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

That's pretty much what we've heard!!

I knew LMO's were difficult, one being hassle and the other due to the downturn.

We're due to get visas anytime soon and then have to make a discission, to go, stay or wait a bit longer. No point going if standard of life isn't either simular or financially viable. I have known people to have gone and have struggled, even with enough money behind them. A good job offer and salary is a MUST!

Like I've said, previously visited Canada a few times and now wonder if it's the right choice for us? I like Canada, still has it's ups/downs like the UK. Nothing seems stable at the moment. The good thing about Canada I think there'll be more opportunities for the kids, and housing is somewhat cheaper. I think your suggestion of visiting before people go is a definite one!!

What's your experience and are you applying for PR now, or just staying on TWP for now?

Angela

Re: Electricians
 

You really wont know if it is for you until you have lived here. Is it worth the risk? Well that depends on what you give up and what you and your family have to gain. Our story is a long one and for another thread perhaps but here is the short version: came out in '08. Went back to Ireland 10 months later for a few different reasons. Irish economy in a mess...could not get work etc. Got a job offer back in Calgary. Came back in Feb '08 and got laid off in June.........company decided to downsize. Applied for PR in April. Waiting for LMO to come through for another job which should be in next 2 weeks or so. A bit of a mess really. Definitely more opportunities for the kids......wouldn't necessarily agree that housing is cheaper. The cost of living is more expensive than Ireland. Big things cheaper,(cars, houses, etc.) but small things more expensive, (groceries, clothes etc.).

Re: Electricians
 

Hi

SUMMERY:

That's been very much like our story here, company had to downsize, o/h went through applying for own job process and he was one of the lucky guys. Have an opportunity to apply for another job in UK, better money and is a American company with businesses in Canada, may look into this for the time being.

We knew families that went on TWP's and had these problems, we could of joined them at the time but the economy made us to decide to hold-off, don't take a risk and wait for PR. Now that PR is nearing I'm still not convinced it's the right time yet. I think within the next year or two we'll see a change. It's got to be financially right, the rest will flo nicely once this has been established. For us it's not clever to be too hasty.

I agree cheaper big things and smaller things expensive. When we did our research we found overall it wasn't dis-simular to the U.K, give or take this and that. I do think you get more for your money on the housing front, but o.k depends where you live, like the U.K. Overall get more for your money! I guess maybe because you have basements and you can get hold of land easily.

Opportunities, that's something that drives me, more prospects for the O/H and the kids. I'm been very established in what I do here and earn well, but nothing to say I couldn't re-start this in Canada. Just takes time to re-establish.

I like the idea that Canada is not that far away from the U.K, so therefore easier for family or us to travel to and fro. I like the idea there's an open door should things go wrong and it wouldn't be so disruptive if we had to come back. I like that we have a supportive Canadian family to help us through.

Weather, well a little nervous of Mosi bites ( I'm a target) and severe winter conditions. Something I guess we all have to get around i.e spray Muskol and put on extra layers, or hibernate lol.

You quote that you won't know until you live here, is right and I know it can take a year, two or three to settle in. I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to keep an open mind, knowing that we can come back and it may/may not be forever.

My thoughts have clearly changed over this last year and I can't help but open up and say what I feel. I have discussed this with O/H and family and it's conflicting. I'm just going to sit this out and what will be will be. Only time will be my answer.

I'm sure I'm not the only one going through this difficult transition?

Cheers for your advice on certs etc and hope the other guy finds what he's looking for.

Hope your PR will be fast tracked fairly quickly :fingerscrossed:

Angela :)