Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Hello there, I am an electrician with 20th July AOR PR visa in the POST! Well, it's not really in the post but we may have it this year. However, the more I look at this site the more I think there are different ways of getting to Calgary this summer than waiting for PR.
Are there any electricians (or other trade) that have moved out on a work visa/PNP or job offer?
Did you find your own job?
Did you use an agency?
I am getting the feeling that the wait is not actually necessary if there is such a skills shortage out there.
Looking forward to your replies :)

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Hi tirrellz.
You can speed things up by geting a work permit,but this is not always an easy thing to do.First thing I would do is look in to your qulifications and see if they are reconised in alberta ,if not go out there and take the exams .While you are out there look for a job and see if they are willing to get hrsdc to issue an lmo so you can get a work permit.

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Hi



My background is Maintenance Electrician, I was able to get to Winnipeg on a work permit (without an agency) but to work for a Building Controls firm as a Technician.
This was because the trades are very heavily regulated, Electricians require a license also. A work permit has to be approved by the HRDC and without a recognised interprovincial ticket you would not get very far unless you are a specialist in something and the employer has tried unsuccessfully to recruit a Canadian.
So, sorry to put a dampener on it but you are virtually unemployable without the Journeyman ticket, and as I am sure you are aware the huge difference in materials, terminology, methods etc to Europe, you cannot just take the exam and pass- you have to study, a lot.

So, Winnipeg is prosperous, but I hear Calgary is booming, so I do not want to say its impossible- I wouldnt rule out agencies, but they might only be of use in getting a high demand job at say, the oilsands in Alberta - fantastic money but it aint Calgary, a little more like pioneering!.
I have just passed my Interprovincial Ticket for Journeyman Industrial Electrician (2nd attempt and a lot of study) and for me the achievement of getting this actually felt more of an achievement than getting my PR!!

Anyway, get back to me with anything else you need to know, I have jumped through all the hoops so I can probably help more.

Are you classified as Industrial or Construction?
Have you looked into the Journeyman Exam already?
Do you have any specialities worth putting on your resume?
Are you planning any research trips to Canada- to talk directly to employers and the Government Apprenticeship Branch?

Darren

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Hi there

I am actually a solicitor but served a full apprenticeship as a carpenter when I left school (long story, won't bore you with the details).

I am in Calgary at the moment on a research trip and as soon as I mentioned to someone that I would be able to finish my own basement due to the above, they gave my details to a friend of theirs who passed them on to someone else etc - the upshot is that I have been offered half a dozen carpentry jobs - with work permits sorted by the companies, if I want to take them. It light of the house price increases I am very tempted.

Getting work out here as a tradesmen will not be a problem - particularly if you are looking for it. I won't bother with an agency - it's just as easy to do it yourself.

Good luck

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Thanks for your reply, it was really useful. I have just received my 20th edition Canadian Electrical Code Book. I am planning to study that for 12 weeks then whilst on holiday to Calgary in early July take the exam. I am even thinking about doing it twice in one week as we are only there for a week and if I fail the first I may have passed the second but obviously won't find that out until afterwards. WOrking for Boat Builders at the moment but ex Royal Navy Electrician and last job was domestic/commercial sparky. We want to move this summer, pass the exam, get a job as a sparky and eventually become self-employed. Any tips for the exam would be greatly appreciated. As there is so many new homes going up there must be business around? Am I right in thinking then that you can't really get work unless another canadian can't be found? It is a bit confusing all this lark especially when they advertise in UK papers for people. Thanks again for your reply Darren.

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Thank you, so you can take work and not have to give the work to a Canadian? Is that because you are going on a work permit, if so how long do they last do you know? Thanks again.

Re: Options for Electrician getting to Calgary?
 

Good on ya mate, you sound pretty determined, the code books are as dull as the 16th edition, so I would say your study would be heavy going. Go to http://www.meleague.net/id13.html on there bookstore page you will see a CDROM that is applicable to your needs, I did the Industrial ticket (in Manitoba, you can crossover, as the license is the same for both trades) so I cannot give you a lot of advice on what is in the exam other than mostly being code.
Yes, HRDC do insist that the employer has made an attempt to find a Canadian first.

Darren

PS I am also looking into getting the construction ticket under my belt as it will make me a lot more marketable, as the union can be a little dogmatic also