I will be immigrating to Edmonton March 2012.
I am just wondering what working conditions are like in engineering/Manufacturing, what the people/attitudes are like compared to the UK and the working hours etc?
I will be a service engineer, visiting many different customers mostly based in Alberta.

Thanks

Entirely dependent on employer and the culture there, and in that position on how hard you want to push yourself.

Some employers are laid back places to work, others expect 60 hr weeks. In the oil industry there is a lot of that "here till the job is done" thing is my impression.

Skill level is far lower here than in the UK.
I have been here 21 years and am now a Manufacturing Engineer.
You spend most of the day showing people what to do......

I dont... I think its entirely luck of the draw to be honest.

My hubby is a service Engineer, and I guess it definately depends on the company! He works for a small company, that has clients in the States, Europe, Australia and Egypt.....he gets to travel which is sometimes enjoyable, and sometimes tiring. If hes home he works a 40 hour week, if hes away, its all nighters, etc sometimes to get the job done.
Can you get some clarification from your employer on the working week for hours etc?
Good luck with your move! And get some good thermals, it can get pretty cold and stay that way in Edmonton over the winter!

I am working in the oil/gas industry at the moment and I am astonished how far projects overrun and no one bats an eyelid. I suppose it will remain like this while they are profitable.