Ok,anyone got the lowdown on this place?I'm an industrial spark and it looks as though Alberta require such positions in their provincial nominee program,which could be a good way for us to get out there.

I've heard the name on here but I'd love to know some real life advice and experiences of this place. I've looked online and the rates of pay are very impressive and there seem to be opportunities availiable to the likes of myself however the only info I can find is from 2008 and it's a mixed bag of results really.

Some peeps say that it's a bit like dodge city yet others say if your self diciplined(which I am) then you'll be fine living on the camps.from what I can gather there's money to be made up there and being brutally honest that is a big part of my life,I've always had good jobs with good pay and this last year I've run my own business and made very little income which I've hated!!!

I've always worked hard and long hours so that side of it won't be a problem but I'd love to know how it is up there right now and how us ex pats are treated!!!

Are you talking about Fort McMurray ? if so I have met half a dozen guys who have came back to BC in the last year or so because the work has slowed down and the rates of pay have fallen as a result, these guys where real rough neck kinda guys and not the kind of people you would want to mess with, I think its pretty ruff up there for the faint hearted

Yes I'm sorry,fort mc Murray,I'm trying to get into the lingo already!!not bothered who I work with really as I've worked with all sorts in my life so far but the bit about work slacking off concerns me,I wouldn't want to go there just to find it dying off.I,like most Brits have watched that program ice road truckers and it seems like there's a lot of work oop north searching for oil/gas etc,although looking online it dosent seem to be that easy to get a foot in the door up there,not much advertised?

I had a backhoe driver in doing some work for me and he had come back from fort mac and bought his own machine just to earn some cash while he was laid off, that was 18mths ago, my next door neighbour is still up there and I have never seen him, but as I said its real tough, the men are men and the wild life is scared.

Then it is Fort McMoney.

We have some posters who have lived/worked there and it has been discussed before. Try using the search feature to see if you can find some of the threads.

We also have some posters who work in the oil business in AB so hopefully they will be able to give you an idea of job prospects.

Haa ha,yeah I thought as much,they sound like the valley boys I used to work with!!I'm tough enough myself so no probs there but like I said it's down to the financial aspect for me really as I'd love to buy my own place in Canada and keep my British home as my pension scheme,i've only got 8-9 years on my mortgage so I'll have finished by 42-43.

A nice 5 or so years there would near enough see me retired!!!!

Are there many other well paid areas of Canada to work then?as I said northern territories would be fine but I'm finding it difficult to get info on the place?

Thanks,will do.

Here is one for example:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=Fort+McMurray

I've been in Fort Mac since June 08 working on new construction at one of the sites, funnily enough 10 minutes ago I was talking to our Electrical General Superintendent who was saying he can't hire enough well qualified electricians. We work an 11 on 3 off rotation and a Journeyman electrician earns about $42/hr for the first 40 hrs then time and half for the next 10 then double for the next 20 then another 40 at straight time so if you do the maths you will earn really good money. Down side is you live in camp, the summers are hot and the winters cold (-40C a regular occurence and snow for 6/7 months). Fort Mac is about 450km north of Edmonton and is pretty isolated but has enough shops, bars etc to keep you sane, good for bikes, quads, snow machines, hunting, has three sports centers, ice hockey team etc. Cost of living is high rent for a 4 bed house 3-4 thousand a month and a mobile home can cost over 400k! Some people settle hear but most come to make money and make their homes elsewhere - I live in Edmonton and am lucky as I get my flights paid in and out each rotation. Get in touch with the local Electricla Union IBEW 424 for advice on membership and red seal etc. Hope this helps - PM for more info if needed

Hey thanks,that's top advice and sounds exactly what I'm after.I'm very well qualified/experienced over here with over 15 years of experience.I was a ford trained apprentice and we also covered a lot of mechanical work and I'm not bad at that either!!

That's good to hear that there's a shortage of sparks,hope there still is by the time I get out there.as I've read on here it appears that the red seal certificate is the one to go for,I'll be studying in this country first and hopefully do the exam asap when we land.thanks again for the comments.