Hi All,

My fiancee and I are planning to emigrate over to Canada (Vancouver area) in the near future. I am a landscape architect (studied in South Africa, but chartered in the UK), and am looking to see if any other UK landscape architects have any tips on how to make contacts / find recruitment consultants over there. The job sites I have looked at (including the CSLA and BCLA) do not seem to have many vacancies, which concerns me a bit.

Any tips /advise would be really helpful!

Thanks!
Cath

I would think Canada is a great place to come for that, there are many new developments which always include Parks, and Cities around here seem to always be competing with each other to look the most "green".

Whether you'll be able to get into that network is another matter, but when dealing with Contractors it's very likely that you will have to make a trip over here to really secure a job.

The best contacts are going to to be BCLA and CSLA. Should also come out and make contacts. Go to trade shows as well. You could also contact CNLA canadanursery.com and BCLNA. Most jobs are going to be through contacts, rarely advertised. You may also want to get a hold of the Landscape Standards to show you have some idea of what goes on here. There are a lot of self employed LAs around as well.

I suspect there is work in Calgary on closure of tailings ponds and landform design...........

Hi Cath

I am a Landscape Architect moving to the Nova Scotia in a few weeks. The CSLA website doesn't ever seem to have too many jobs on it. So far I've done what I would do here when looking for work ie get online, find out the who the firms are, get clued up about them and then give them a call. Like LA's here the one's I've spoken to have been pretty friendly and helpful. Ringing up to ask for advice about LA in Canada etc has been a good foot in the door and a good way to start relationships. None of the firms will commit to anything and want to meet me in person before taking things further - this I've learnt is the culture. Unlike in the UK where we advertise a job and fill it quickly in Canada it seems they take their time to fill it, sometimes taking months. I'm sure others on here will back this up. I've learnt to go easy and not to hassle people.

OB

Hi OB,

Thanks for your advice, it's good to hear of another LA heading over that way. You must be so excited!

I am only due to go over next year, but will take your advice and speak directly to a few firms a couple of months beforehand.

I was wondering whether it would also help me to become a member of CSLA / BCLA before heading over. I know that the Ontario Institute have a job search tool which is only available to members. I am going to check if it's the same for BCLA. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Also, have you been able to find any recruitment consultants who deal with our line of work?

Cath

PS. Nova Scotia looks beautiful! Good luck with all the preparations

Hi 'The Aviator' (hope these replies are working - first time on the forum!)

Thanks for your advice, I have made some enquiries to CSLA and BCLA a little while back, but have not heard of the other contacts you've recommended, so will have a look into that.

Cheers
Cath

Sent you e-mail with come other contacts. Let me know if you did not get it.

Frederick Hann Associates Ltd in Moncton were looking for people a couple of months ago if it helps anyone!