DomDGray

Hi all!

My partner and I are looking to emigrate to Vancouver in the next couple of years (I am completing a Masters).

My partner works in web development with a major London company, and I am a senior manager/director of a charity working with people with learning disabilities and Autism.

Does anyone have any experience of work in this field in the BC area?

All help is greatly appreciated!

R I C H

Dom, you should take a look at the currently under construction autism centre in Richmond, Vancouver: Pacific Autism Family Centre (opening this fall, a 60,000 sq/ft facility).

I work for TCS (Enhancing the Lives of the Developmentally Disabled | TCS - Thompson Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled) who have offices around the province and may have opportunities in the future for you.

My background is in digital marketing/communications, so if your partner needs pointers in that direction, drop me a line

Aviator

The biggest challenge is for high functioning ASD, there is little to no help around. Does you organisation offer help for these folks?

R I C H

Yes it does - no cognitive disabilities are excluded from help, and after a full assessment funding from government can be secured relatively quickly.

Aviator

Hopefully good news. Thanks

eleni0102

Hi,

I am also looking to relocate and was hoping that someone could give me advice of where to start! I have extensive qualifications and experiences in learning disabilities and specialise in ASD. I am in the early stages of researching at the moment but would be ready to move within 7 months maximum. Any advice or pointers of how to go about finding a job, applying for visas, cheap living etc would be very helpful. Thanks

christmasoompa

Hi, welcome to BE.

The best thing to do would be to start your own thread - have a read of the 'Newbies' sticky thread (on the main page, or link in my signature) for forum 'netiquette'.

For job hunting advice, there's the excellent Job Hunting section of the Wiki, and if you repost with more info (your highest education level, exactly what you do etc), then others will be able to help with your chances of finding an employer prepared to sponsor you for a visa (assuming you need a job offer to get one?).

'Cheap living' will depend on what you mean by that, it'll cost you a good old chunk of change to get to Canada, so be prepared to spend a lot on that, and then when you get there cost of living is about the same as in the UK, so expect to spend about the same for a similar lifestyle as a very rough guide - of course, it will depend on where you go to and from i.e. if you move from a little village in Northumberland to Vancouver, it'll be a lot more expensive, and if you are moving from central London to a small town in SK, then vice versa.

Best of luck with it.

DomDGray

There's some great advice here! Thanks everyone!

eleni0102

Thanks.. I have set up a new thread so hopefully I will get some advice through that.

Christmasoompa - I have Batchelors degree in Criminology and Education, a Level 5 Diploma in leadership for health and social care, and currently a registered manager.

I have created a profile and submitted to the CIC and have been accepted for the Internation Experience Canada, but so confused with the work pool things. If I find a job offer without going through the pool situation can i separately apply for a work permit? So confused with it all! Ok by cheap living I just meant a furnished apartment for around $1000 a month!

SchnookoLoly

Hang on, have you been approved for IEC?? That *IS* a work permit, it's a 2-year permit that isn't contingent on a job offer. It's a great way to make a start in Canada, and then you can hopefully use that to go towards a permanent visa once the two years is up (IEC can't be extended). Certainly a step in the right direction...

IT's also WAY easier to find a job if you have an IEC permit because it's very difficult for companies to sponsor you for a TWP unless it's quite a specific job. It also takes a long time and costs the company money to do it, making a job offer quite a bit more difficult that route. If you have an IEC, though, you are able to start working immediately.

eleni0102

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, since my last post I have been accepted on to the IEC program.. I was just getting confused as it all happened very quickly which I am glad about and feel very lucky as I know some people have been waiting months and months!

I am now therefore researching locations and places to work. Do different provinces have different set ups for learning disabilities and different funding streams? Any advice on working within a school or a residential / supported living settings would be great. I know it's harder to secure employment prior to going but would at least like to get a 'feel' for the systems and practices.

Thanks

Eleni

christmasoompa

Eleni, as above please do stick to your own thread and have another read of the 'Newbies' sticky thread.

Thanks.

R I C H

Jobs at TCS: | TCS - Thompson Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled

I'd suggest sending a resume to head office. If you've got the right skills it's perfectly feasible to find something to suit you. Offices are throughout BC.