EleanorMedlock

Hi there i'm a newby to this so be gentle with me...... I have a question, we are hoping to move to Canada in 2018 ish, my partner has been a self builder for some 20 years now and can build a house from the footings to the ridge tiles, but he has no credentials, no certificates, degrees, NVQ's, nothing. You didn't need anything back then, how can we/he prove to prospective employers he is more than capable, how can we convince the visa people that he can do what he says. Regards to all you expats living your dream and good luck to the rest of us! x

AmyDavid

He could look at undertaking a 1 or 2 year post secondary qualification to confirm the skills he has and use this credential when applying for PR in the future. If you are not looking to go until 2018 then he has the time.

EleanorMedlock

Thanks for the reply, but what's a post secondary qualification? College?

AmyDavid

Yes, City and Guilds would likely offer something that would match the skills he currently has.

EleanorMedlock

Interesting, thank you, can I ask you another question? We will be renting a 1 or 2 bed apartment, I am set on pay a rent that's all utilities included, my partner is against and wants to pay our own utilities. I'd be happier knowing i can put the air-con etc on when I want for however long I want and not have to worry bout cost. Your thoughts........? It'll settle a disagreement and bring harmony back!!

ann m

Canada is not the place to be without credentials. You need bits of paper. Work on getting some proof of his skills. And then be prepared to work on more proof when you get here.

Google Red Seal for the various trades in Canada and see if he is specialist enough to gain that accreditation. That's your route to earning a decent living.

Almost Canadian

I qualified as a carpenter over 20 years ago, so credentials were available then. In fact, most of the electricians, plumbers, brickies, painters and decorators I worked with also had qualifications too

cheeky_monkey

Exactly you did need them back then just as much as now they were called City and guilds ONC HNC and HND'S..i left college 20 years ago with a HND in building and a BSC...

DandNHill

It depends from what perspective you are looking at this... As a landlord I refuse to include all the utilities for just that reason... Leave the heat on and open the window cos it's hot kind of attitude...
But from a tenants perspective it's great. No worries about racking up a huge power or heating bill cos it's not their responsibility

Aviator

Most trades require certifications. Your OH may qualify to challenge any one of the trade exams (in some provinces) before arriving, so long as he can prove 9000 hours experience. It has to be proven, they don't just take your word for it.

Not having a formal education in any trade may him at a disadvantage, he would only find out when going through the study material. He could come over to take the exam before finally moving. this might be a better direction to focus energies than getting a UK qualification then having to take the provincial certification. Red Seal is not a qualification, it is an interprovincial endorsement of the provincial certification.

http://www.itabc.ca/challengers/overview
http://www.itabc.ca/immigrants-trades/overview

He would be best to call one the the provincial training authorities for further information.

Answering your question re utilities. Landlords don't often give you the option to include utilities or to pay your own. Some properties don't have the ability to metre separately, some apartments include some utilities, but not all. If you have a preference you would need to find a property to meet your needs. If you are not planning on coming for 4 years, don't have qualifications or a permit to live and work here, I would not get too hung up about utilities in a rental property. Even when and if you do move here, it is no big deal in the overall scheme of things.

Siouxie

+1

Very good information

EleanorMedlock

Thank you all for your excellent advice, it's all taken on board. In regards to qualifications from 'almost Canadian' my OH learned his trade through 'man and boy' scenario. All knowledge was passed down and learnt through experience and taught by a 'friend'. He never went to college etc hence no certificates. Has been a successful self employed builder for some 15 years now. It's a headache that's for sure. I'll investigate some of the suggestions made here. Thanks all x

Almost Canadian

No criticism was intended and I apologise if that was how my reply came across.

I worked with lots of people during my time as a chippie that had no formal qualifications but were very able with their tools. Canada requires formal qualifications for lots of things.

Collie

Building isn't my area of expertise at all. But having moved here and bought a house, I thought I'd better flag that just about everything "from footings to ridge tiles" (to quote the op's initial post) seems to be done differently over here. Huge foundations (to get below the frost line) with basements (and interesting waterproofing issues). Asphalt roofs - no slates or tiles. No ring mains. Reliance on timber frames... and these are only some of the things I've noticed. So there might be quite a learning curve! It's certainly testing my d-i-y skills!

Howefamily

In the UK you can forge a decent lifestyle with little or no higher education, here its not so easy.