Iv joined this forum for a bit of help

Iv decided i want to move to canada but havent a clue were to start.
Im a joiner with 7 years experience and all the qaulifications. Iv read about the skilled worker programme and think i qualify but dont know what to do next.
do i get a visa first or get a job. If i have to get a job could any one help as to were to start.
My girlfriend is a nursery nurse and would be coming to but how would we work it

Any help would be fantastic

It depends.

Look up the job description of 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades (it comes up first when I Google it). If you have at least one year of experience doing the majority of these duties then you can apply for Permanent Residence as a skilled worker. In this case you apply for the visa first. If you are granted the visa you can move to Canada with your girlfriend as your dependent and both you and her will be able to work for any employer.

There are limits each year to the number of visas granted in each category.

If you don't qualify for this your other likely option will be to find a job in Canada. The employer must be willing to apply for a labour market opinion (LMO) after demonstrating they have been unable to find a Canadian qualified and willing to do the job. If the LMO is approved you use this to apply for a temporary work permit. As a skilled tradesman I believe your girlfriend (assuming you live in a marriage like arrangement) would qualify for an open work permit, though she would need a medical exam before she could work with children.

There is a lot of very valuable information in the wiki which is a great place to start. http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canada

Hi byson
As Jonboy says have you checked the current requirements for an FSW1 application via NOC7215.
Also check out http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
as NOC fulfillment won't be the only requirement needed. I was approved for PR via 7215 but understand the application process has altered a little since i applied back in March 2009.
Also investigate other NOC's you may be able to apply under as it's the particular duties detailed in each NOC that are important not just the title/name it has.
Also investigate other possible routes to gain a visa if you've not checked already.
Checkout the Immigration forum of the BE site for lots of useful info & topics.
All the best

thanks both of you for the reply it was a massive help

one thing i still dont understand is the deffinition of carpenter contractor.
from what i am reading im getting the impression its just supervisors who are accecpted or am i just reading it wrong. Im just a carpenter with all the qualifications and experience would this be enough?

You are correct, to qualify under 7215 you must be a carpentry supervisor i.e. run your own carpentry business with staff, or manage other carpenters - you must do the 'main duties' as per the NOC description.

If you don't do the 'main duties' listed, then you wouldn't qualify as a FSW and would need to look at other visa options. How old are you and your girlfriend and whereabouts do you wish to move to?

were both 23 years old. We would move to anywere were the jobs are. Maybe the region of ottawa.
Is there anyway of of just a regular carpenter getting a visa then look for a job??

There is the International Experience Class, which is a year's open work permit for people aged 30 and under. It's wouldn't get you there permanently, but it's a start at least! You'd need to be quick if you want to go in this year, as the 2012 program is already open and there are a limited number of visas.

Do also look in to what you'd need to do to work as a carpenter in Canada (search 'Red Seal' on the forum, as it may be something you need).

If you want to look at other visa options, then have a read of the Wiki (follow the link in my signature) which will outline them all for you, there's a good article called something like 'Beginners Guide to Canadian Immigration'.

HTH.

thanks for the info and adivce.
its a bit of a kick in a teeth to hear but o well nothing can be done. ILl try the other options

Carpenters are near impossible to find in Toronto. Each time I need to spend an arm and a leg and these guys often lack skills. You would do well however to make money you need to join a mafia club called the Carpenters Union.

Could any1 point me in the direction of construction firms who take on immigrant workers. Or areas of canada were there is a high demand for carpenteres
After doing some research my preference would be Calgary if i could choose.