Geting a Job in the oil sands?
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Hey guys/girls i am hopefully going to Calgary in March or April 2013 on the iec visa which will allow me up to 24 months in Canada. i am really hoping to get a job in the oil fields as an unskilled labour i just wondering how easy that might be ? i no the work is hard and hours long but i no i will be able for it as i had been a hard worker up until recently when i got let go from my apprenticeship i had 3 years and 3 months done of an electricians apprenticeship. 5 years in total experiance in the electrical game. i have searched everywhere for a job to finish my time to get my papers but no joy..so instead of staying and the dole (benefits) i want to go to Canada i am 23 will be traveling solo am not afraid of work i will be doing a few safety courses i no of 3 so far First Aid, WHMIS, H2SAlive any more to add to the list? i feel canada could give me a chance to make sumthin of myself and make a bit of money and have a good life geting a bit to old to be depending on people time to make the move..thanks to everyone who takes there time to reply it means a lot
from a cold wet ireland
Ross
from a cold wet ireland
Ross
#2
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Hi there, have a quick read through of these
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=nisku
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=nisku
Bare in mind though that if you are starting off as a leasehand / roughneck, most rigs you will work on shut down for what's called Spring Break.
This begins roughly April and can last into June. This is due to the ground that the rigs have to be moved onto thawing and being too soft for heavy equipment to travel. You could be super lucky and score a ob on whats called a pad rig (ie tons of hoels to drill in one location and the rig actually walks itself to the next destination - usually about 20 metres away lol) though it's rare to get on one of these as everyone wants to due to the continuing work.
Any questions then after you have 3 posts you can message me and i'll do my best to answer. Jingsamichty is also another poster that is in the business and can give some good pointers.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=nisku
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=nisku
Bare in mind though that if you are starting off as a leasehand / roughneck, most rigs you will work on shut down for what's called Spring Break.
This begins roughly April and can last into June. This is due to the ground that the rigs have to be moved onto thawing and being too soft for heavy equipment to travel. You could be super lucky and score a ob on whats called a pad rig (ie tons of hoels to drill in one location and the rig actually walks itself to the next destination - usually about 20 metres away lol) though it's rare to get on one of these as everyone wants to due to the continuing work.
Any questions then after you have 3 posts you can message me and i'll do my best to answer. Jingsamichty is also another poster that is in the business and can give some good pointers.
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Thank you so much will start reading now
#4
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Hey guys/girls i am hopefully going to Calgary in March or April 2013 on the iec visa which will allow me up to 24 months in Canada. i am really hoping to get a job in the oil fields as an unskilled labour i just wondering how easy that might be ? i no the work is hard and hours long but i no i will be able for it as i had been a hard worker up until recently when i got let go from my apprenticeship i had 3 years and 3 months done of an electricians apprenticeship. 5 years in total experiance in the electrical game. i have searched everywhere for a job to finish my time to get my papers but no joy..so instead of staying and the dole (benefits) i want to go to Canada i am 23 will be traveling solo am not afraid of work i will be doing a few safety courses i no of 3 so far First Aid, WHMIS, H2SAlive any more to add to the list? i feel canada could give me a chance to make sumthin of myself and make a bit of money and have a good life geting a bit to old to be depending on people time to make the move..thanks to everyone who takes there time to reply it means a lot
from a cold wet ireland
Ross
from a cold wet ireland
Ross
I take it you like fishing.Listen to all the advise here here especially LANCASTERIAN -- he is brilliant and knows exactly what he is talking about.My son went to Canada and did it the hard way --he is paying for it now pm me if you want good luck
#5
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
What happened if you don't mind me asking, it might help others.
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 141
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
If you want to have your electrical experience checked contact the Provincial government department covering trades:
http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/
Click Experienced Workers
Then click Qualification Certificates
My mate who is 55 (former graphic artist) started last year as an apprentice pipefitter in Nisku through Local 488. Starting wage is $22.50 an hour going to $40 and change after 3 year apprenticeship. He took a 2 month pre-apprenticeship course.
Sample camp job for electricians:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/detail-eng....tdnt=No&PgNum=
http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/
Click Experienced Workers
Then click Qualification Certificates
My mate who is 55 (former graphic artist) started last year as an apprentice pipefitter in Nisku through Local 488. Starting wage is $22.50 an hour going to $40 and change after 3 year apprenticeship. He took a 2 month pre-apprenticeship course.
Sample camp job for electricians:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/detail-eng....tdnt=No&PgNum=
#7
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Thanks i had checked that you need 72 months and 9000 hours although i would have the 9000 i would only 60months of which i have proof i worked ..thanks for the comment
#8
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
it's the tar sands.
#9
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
hahah from what i have heard its the gold sands
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 170
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/a...search-of-jobs
might want to see if this sort of thing happen again.
might want to see if this sort of thing happen again.
#11
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
[QUOTE=salmonfella;10413841]hahah from what i have heard its the gold sands[/QUOTE
global warming sands
global warming sands
#12
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
Serious money to be made sands
#14
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 168
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
I no but theres noting we can do were only two people so if we cant beat them we might as-well join them
#15
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Geting a Job in the oil sands?
we'll just have to agree to disagree on that