Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi, I'm new to all this but need advice!
My Husband and I along with our 4 year old are hoping to move to Canada in a couple of years - a long way off i know but my Husband is finishing his training to be a plumber. We have done loads of researching on the net etc and have also registered with a couple of websites that are sending loads of info but we cannot decide on where to move to! We know that we will be going down the work permit then PR route but can't decide on where to go.....Barrie in Ontario or Halifax in Nova Scotia. We are planning a reccie in the next year or so but obviously cannot afford to go to both! Is there anyone that know Barrie in Ontario? I seem to find alot of people willing to recommend other places but no-one there! Any thoughts on the best place to live for a young family (My husband and i are in our mid to late twenties) would be very welcome........
Thanks in advance
xx

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Linz...welcome to BE

It's a tough question, one that we are asking ourselves all the time LOL

I think it all depends on your expectations.

You may need to let us know what you're interested etc.

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hiya,
We are really looking for somewhere that has an outdoor lifestyle all year - something that you dont get in England! I have visions of going out on a weekend and walking or biking, swimming at the beach or skiing! With lots to do but that is safe so i dont have to worry where he is all the time! i dont want to live right in the heart of a city but i want to be close enough that we can drive there for shopping or dinner.....This is the reason why Barrie was so appealing but then i love the scenary and the laid back atmosphere that i seem to envisage when i think of Nova Scotia.
I am also thinking about people visiting from England and where they could go - sightseeing i guess.
I know it all sounds very dreamy and there probably isn't such a place but as long as it is safe, clean and has loads to do i would be happy!!
Thanks

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If you will be going down the work permit route, then surely you'll just have to go wherever he can find a job?!? I wouldn't get too fixated on a location just yet as he may not find a job there (particularly given the current recession in Canada, which could go on for a while), so best not to get your hopes up and then have to adjust to the idea of life in a different location.

Just out of interest, has he checked into the requirements for the Red Seal for a plumber in Canada? It's just that I know most skilled trades have to prove a certain number of hours in the trade (i.e. for electricians it's 9000 hours, and that cannot include any apprenticeships), so I'd be concerned he wouldn't have the requisite number of hours in a couple of years time if he's not yet qualified. I'm sure he's checked it out but thought I'd better mention it just in case!

Best of luck with the journey ahead. :)

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi
We have sent emails for info on the Red Seal program but so far no-one has replied....any info that i have found has not mentioned any requirements for proof of hours worked so i will def be checking up on that - thanks!!!

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hold on, will have a look and see if I can find out the requirements..........back in a mo!

Edit: have just searched the forum and it appears he'd need a minimum of 8000 working hours after qualifying and/or finishing his apprenticeship. So assuming a 40 hour week, and working 48 weeks out of the year, he'd need to work for 4 or 5 years before he would eligible. Sorry, probably not great news for you. When does he actually qualify?

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

not until the end of this year, we really wanted to move before our little boy is 6 or 7 so he is not disrupted too much and that he settles quicker. This means that we were hoping to move in approx 3 years! He could always get some work elsewhere until he is able to register. I don't think he would mind doing something different until the time is right - only problem then is whether he could get work being out of the job for a while!
Thanks for checking tho - wouldn't have known where to look.
x

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

OK...........hate to say this but two problems with that idea! :o

First is I don't know if he'd be able to get a job doing something else - remember that to get a Temp Work Permit his potential employer would first have to prove that they've advertised the job across Canada and been unable to find a Canadian to do the job. So I don't know how likely it is that he'll be more qualified than any Canadians if he's been training to be a plumber for the past few years and doesn't have any recent experience in whatever the job is.

And the second potential problem is that he wouldn't be able to go back to plumbing at a later date as he still wouldn't have the 8000 hrs necessary. So it's not just a case of 'getting work elsewhere' and then returning to plumbing when he can, as he still wouldn't have the Red Seal. If he wants to be a plumber in Canada then he'll have to get the experience in the UK first.

Really sorry to be so negative but just things for you to think about. Any chance that you could get a job and TWP, or would qualify for PR as a Skilled Worker? Then he'd get an open work permit or also have PR, which may make things much easier.

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

investigate the nova scotia community idetified route I would suggest

would just like to say that in the "real world" of rural nova scotia and I suspect the same applies in rural areas of other provinces

nobody gives two hoots about RED SEALs Green seals or any other kind of seals:lol::rofl:
so long as you provide a great service at a fair price and can fix the leak etc nobody cares a jot!!

plenty of tradesmen working around us with no canadian experiece or qulifications making a nice living thankyou very much

if he is thinking of own business/self employed then NS CI definly worth exploring

good luck

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hiya,
Thanks for that - where abouts do you live? if u don't mind me asking :)

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

the only thing that i am a little confused about - how do u get a job as a plumber over there then because surely to get a job u need to be registered but how do u get registered if u cannot get a job and work the required 8000 hours? Does that make sense? Surely its going round in circles a bit? am i missing something?:blink::confused:
thanks

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

a rural local would say registered whats registered and laugh heartily:D

this is not the UK folk do not live by rigid rules and regulations all that stuff is for city dwellers well thats what they all say!!

plus of course he would be self employed anyway as most trademen are in the rural areas

if you wan ti bad just go for it

I know of a fair few immigrants who are doing just fine plumbers, electricains , carpenters etc etc not just from the Uk but from elsewhere why are they successful? well they didnt let a bit of red tape get in the way and they are great at what they do simple as that

we have had a few working on our home plumber, carpenter and a lekky all have no canadian quallys all have done a fantastic job!! and all are oin great demand

word of mouth and first class work at a fair rate is what matters to everyone here

I have never revelad exactly where I live and wont until I have pR ( there are sopme dodgy geezers on this site just one or two:D)

suffice to say I live a very long way from Halifiax out in the uhllu!

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

You're misunderstanding it a bit, there is no requirement for him to work 8000 hours in Canada. He just has to prove he's worked those hours somewhere (i.e. in his case, it would be the UK). So once he'd done his 8000 hours in the UK, he'd then be eligible for the Red Seal and could get a job in Canada.

:)

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

:confused: He wouldn't be self employed if he was going on a TWP (as the OP has indicated). He may be if they decide to go the NS CIS route, but personally I wouldn't advise that if they have a child (I know you've said yourself in the past it's risky - imagine if you also had a child to consider!).

And I'm sure there are many who are working in NS without the Red Seal, I don't doubt what you are saying, but if caught they would be in serious trouble as they are *breaking the law*!! I think it best that we don't encourage other people to do the same on this forum, don't you?

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

I must admit that i would be worried about going about it without registration - especially in a new country, wouldn't want to push our luck!
I have just been looking at the Community Identity stream too and it says that we must have a long standing connection to the community which we do not have so im not sure that would be the best route.

Will keep looking into our options!! :)

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Linz

Oompa is quite right in what she is saying. I'm an Electrician and was dead set on Barrie as it looks great and ticks all the boxes for us regarding lifestyles and activities, set on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Unfortunately as Oompa says with the recession hitting Canada it is more a case of going where the jobs are, we are now bound for Alberta as we have made contacts in Lethbridge and are now really looking forward to visiting that area in July.
I have no Job offer but hope to secure one when we go over.
Regarding the Red Seal your OH would first have to secure and prove his required amount of hours experience before they would let him take the exam.
I myself must prove 9000 hours which I hope I can, I will have 4 years experience in July which puts me there or thereabouts.
Again unfortunately as Oompa stated it would mean your OH waiting 4 years. The only thing I could suggest is to apply for FSW once your OH has 1 years experience in plumbing, if you meet the 67 points, then you will at least have opportunity to get PR if successful. You could also try and secure a position with a company/contractor as an apprentice plumber which you do not need the red seal for but you would probably find this very hard to do as they would have to prove they can't find any Canadians to do the same things.
One other thing, although plumber is on the NOC list of 38 at the moment it may or may not be removed at any point in the future depending on demand, if this happens then the skilled worker route would no longer be an option.
Sorry for the bad news, best of luck!!!:thumbup:

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

ok ok

first of all christmas you do a great job on here and i admire your efforts perhaps we can agree to disagree on some matters though

I believe we are often at opposite ends of the spectrum from the " go for it you have only got one life" to the " what if, its a risk, extra cautious approach dot all the I's cross all the T's etc

I am far to much at one end and from where I am standing you are often at the very other end:lol:

between us we have given some great advice reflected in answers to posts where we have both had an input:thumbup:

but I must also stress i do have first hand experience of what I am talking about I do live in rural Canada and and I have been successful at the community identified part of the process I never speak of topics that I have not experienced from the sharp end
eg crim rehab , visa extensions, non accompanying kids, dodgy meds:eek: , giving the wrong details on a PR application and trying to get forgiveness from CHC, and whats the reality is in Rural ns plus endless other mountains we have had to climb in our not so straight forward situation.

Yes folk can dot all the I's and cross the T's yes they can take every precaution etc etc etc but you will find most that do are still festering away on the other side of the pond and many will never make it all

not even sure there are any laws regarding qualifications?? if so nobody obeys them honestly life is not ruled by rules and regs which is why we moved here
there is no law against us asking freddy brit plumber from up the road to repair our leaking lavvy so long as he declares what we pay him on his tax return:zzz:

what we have done is no more risky than anyone who comes to canada prior to PR eg anyone coming on TWP etc

even those that have PR and come to a job are at enormous risk with job lay offs etc

for the OP you do not need to have stepped foot in NS you build your ties when you get here

yes we dont have kids but to me our dogs are loved more than I coudl ever love a child and having to fly them back would be terrible so we did take a rsik with their well being but it may well turn out all ok in the end

if not we have had a fantastic year and still have another 6 months at least and even then we could extend visas furhter

we do not regret a thing ( well have meds in canada was abig mistake but thats another story)

we have "lived" every moment since being here i would have expired with stress and frustration if we had waited patiently in the uk queue and it would have cost us so very much more financially

there are someon here who seem to toy with the idea of coming to canada but dont make the jump

of course its a risk its giant life changing leap:blink:

but I still stand firm with my belief that its in your hands ( everything apart form the meds that is)

if you really really want to make canada your home then its possible and can be done

my concern is new members can be put off when they get to many no you cant it aint possible types of answers I was at first then though sod its its an internet forum its not CIC

in fact the dooms day merchants made me all the more determied to prove them wrong

just do a great application be honest dont let anyone or anything stand in your way and never give up you will be canadian before you know it

huge big fat chunks of luck to all
x

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Linzz
i have been plumbing in Toronto for 6 months, if your better half tries to get work unlicenced with a firm he will get lousy money, even licensed is not much better. There is not much about at the mo, we have guys driving from up country as the new build has grinded to a halt. It will pick up again by the time you would arrive in a few years time. You definitely need to work with someone at first to get used to the different way of working. As for getting the licence i took a folder full of certificates to the office in Church St toronto,they did not know what they were looking at,the only items they took copies of was city & guilds and a letter of experience from my employer i did not have to provide any more info whatsoever. They will send you a temp license, you can take the exam the next day for $100. Its 125 questions with a 70% pass mark,you get 3 attempts, if if it does not work out you can do a part time course at george brown college 2 nights a week for ten weeks @ $360.00
good luck with your application

Tony

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Tony,

Thanks for all the info - did you have to prove 8000 hrs of work tho before you could take the test? Mark will not be setting up on his own for a while after we get there purely so he can get experience etc. We were under the impression that plumbers were on good salaries there? We have looked it up on Jobsites etc. He is also looking at completing his Oil and LPG courses here in uk - do you think is worthwhile? He is currently doing his City and Guilds and NVQ.
Thanks

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

I completely agree. I used to live life with lots of risks, bumming around with world with no permanent job, throwing myself out of airplanes, bungee jumping, swimming with sharks, etc................and then I had kids!

I'm sorry but you cannot understand the responsibility that brings unless you have them, and the feeling of having to provide a safe and secure environment for them. Trust me, dogs are NOT the same thing!! I adore my dog, but it's very different from having a child. I know you said that you took a risk taking your dogs to Canada via the NS CIS route - but dogs don't require educating or healthcare. Both of which are things that the OP would not qualify for on a visitors visa, and both of which are rather essential for children.

Plus you've now had approx 9 months without being able to work and have admitted previously that money is getting incredibly tight for you - to do that with a child to provide for would just be irresponsible in my view.

There is no law against that, you are correct. But the plumber is breaking the law - him working without the requisite licence is illegal. That's 'Freddy's' choice, but I don't think it's a good idea that we encourage others on the forum to do the same.

That may be the case for those without children or other responsibilities, but again I'd have to say there is a huge difference for those with children. At least on a TWP you are entitled to healthcare, child benefit and education for your children - none of which you are entitled to as a visitor.

Again, we will have to respectfully agree to disagree!! I can completely understand where you are coming from - I would have done exactly the same as you had it just been myself and my husband, but with two children to provide for, there is no way I would contemplate it.

Good to exchange points of view, as always, though!

:)

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

I had to post this job opening - no idea if it will be of any help to you though. Help wanted - Plumber, full time, benefits, great company. Call today: <tel no. removed>. Email: <email address removed> Fax: <fax no. removed>. <company name removed>

Its in a town called Gravenhurst, which is one hour north of Barrie -(2 hours north of Toronto) pretty, pretty Muskoka town - full of community spirit where some folk I know dont even have a lock on their front door (you could/would call it a hick town). People wonderful & friendly. Property amazingly cheap, loads of lakes to swim in BUT very hard in the winter & if you lose your job, your screwed cos there's little little work there.

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Linzz
i did not have to give any information apart from my c&g and letter of experience, no proof of hours worked, nothing, but then again I have been a plumber for over 30 years. My eldest son ( he is 23 yrs old) came over two years ago, again he showed his certs and letter of experience, nothing else. As I said guys are comming in from Kingston, Barrie and beyond to work or go to college to pass the license exam, some of these guys have been on the tools for over 20 years and only got 40%, its not a walk in the park, the whole emigration & licence thing is hard work, you really have to visit the place ask lots of questions and above all have enough money to get you through the first year. As regards the gas and oil qualifications, I did all the gas back home but have not applied here until I have settled a bit longer, if you were getting paid to do the courses at home I would do it there, if not I would wait until you get over here, again you would have to sit exams here and with out experience it would be a struggle.
There is quite a big signifigance between plumbing here & the UK and I am learning something new most days.
Research as much as you can before you make any final decisions & most of all have the financial back up to see you through the first 12 months. Salaries are pretty fair here for plumbers but only once you have your licence, like anywhere in the world companies will take advantage of your inexperience & pay you peanuts whilst you are learning!!
best wishes
Tony

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your replies - they have been really helpful - one more question tho!
Do you think it would be worth my OH taking the test etc when we come over for a Reccie? Can he even do that or does he have to have a job offer? If he can do the test during the Reccie and pass then hopefully he will find employment a little quicker......what do you think?
Thanks again

Re: Help! Can't decide.....
 

hi linz
sorry for the delay in replying, as regarding the plumbing exam you cannot take the exam without your sin card, so basically as soon as we got the ok to emigrate we came over applied for all the neccessary cards using a relatives address, when the sin card arrived i went with my paperwork to the ministry downtown then waited for the temp licence to arrive then went to the ministry the next day with my $100.00 to take the exam, they are twice daily on a first come first served basis (with all the other trades) you are given a copy of the code book and a calculator,you have 3 hours plus 1 extra hour if you need it, i would say about 40% of the guys took the extra hour.
i hope this helps
best wishes
tony