rachelandshell

Hi

Hoping for some information. We are currently exploring all options for moving to either Australia, NZ or Canada. My partner, who is probably better placed for employment in all of these places seems to have significant options in both Canada and Australia, NZ less so. She works as a Signalling Design Engineer for the Railways.

She has been offered work with a company based in Mississauga, nr Toronto who are very keen, but I'm not sure on the area, I can see it has lots of shops but I like nice scenery, open spaces, etc... We are in a same sex relationship and have lived together for a number of years so I think, if I've got it right I wouldn't have to have work initially, however this is important to me but I seem to be struggling to find anything that I could do.

I have worked in the UK for the Probation Service for 10 years. Started as a Probation Service Officer, have worked on delivering programmes (CDVP Domestic Violence Programme which is Canadian) and currently specialise in delivery interventions for Sex Offenders with a managerial role. In addition to my degree, have specialist qualifications in HR (CIPD) obtained last year and currently working part time on MSc in Strategic Leadership and Change. I have looked at 'corrections' type jobs or those with the government website and they seem to only be open to Canadians. Clearly if this is going to be a problem, then Canada may be out as we both want to work.

Any suggestions or advice would be welcome, particularly from someone who works in this environment already.

Aviator

Read the wiki on this site, lots of info there about finding a job and immigration.

rachelandshell

I have done that already, and also the Australia v Canada article.

Just after anyone who can share specific knowledge in this job area.

JonboyE

I have never been to Missassauga, so I may be way of the mark, but I have never heard of it in connection with nice scenery and open spaces.

If your OH's job is deemed to be skilled (and I guess it will be), and if she is given a temporary work permit, you should be able to get a spousal open work permit for the length of her temporary work permit. This will allow you to work for any employer. However, Corrections Canada give preference to Canadain citizens when recruiting so this is not a great prospect. I don't know anything about the market for HR professionals in the GTA.

Tigger1

As far as the HR stuff goes, I'd look into whether you can transfer over the CIPD to the CHRP (Canadian Human Resources Professional) here. If you want to go anywhere in HR in Canada you'll need your CHRP. Take a look at the www.hrpa.ca that should give you some more information.

Atlantic Xpat

Mississauga, from my experience of driving through it and flying over it, appears to be an unremitting hell of urban sprawl. Wide open spaces it is not so I'd suggest visiting prior to committing to living there if at all possible.

rachelandshell

I have spent quite a bit of time looking at the area and agree, it's not somewhere I think we would like to live. My partner is asking about other areas such as Calgary or Vancouver however a major stumbling block will be the lack of work for me and the restrictions in working in Corrections.

I think we may look back at Australia or NZ.

Thank you for the responses.

gingerginger

just seeing this now so maybe a bit late to join the discussion, Probation is my area of 'expertise' too. Well at least it was in the UK. I am currently applying for every Probation Officer job in my area I see, although repeatedly hearing nothing, which I understand is the norm but is soul destroying. I am suspecting I am being passed over due to my being non native - despite the position stating applications are welcomed from everyone.

I did in the past have an informal chat with the equivalent of an SPO here, he told me that the government number is the all important thing, and I probably won't be able to just get myself a job without it. He suggested something like getting some kind of government job ie with fisheries, counting fish, purely to obtain this all important number.

Madnellie

Hi gingerginger - I'm not the OP but that's useful advice thanks. Is a government number like a payroll/employee number?

gingerginger

hi Madnellie,

It was something along the lines of 'needing' a union number. So as to get this all important union number, I'd need to first get 'any' kind of job in Government and then once I was working in the whatever type of job I'd managed to secure myself, then start applying for 'proper jobs.'

Madnellie

Thanks gingerginger, that's really helpful to know.

Oakvillian

Hmmm. Mississauga is to Toronto as, say, Hounslow is to London. It's an unlovely suburb with few redeeming features except the international airport. Having said that, though, there are some nicer areas of the "outer Toronto" exurbs that are with striking distance of Mississauga for commuting purposes. For sure, there is more and better scenery in AB or BC but don't dismiss southern Ontario out of hand - if that's where your OH's job prospects lie, that's your route into the country.

A couple of observations, although I don't speak from a position of great knowledge on either: first, if you have an HR qualification that (as others have already suggested) might be transferable into a CHRP, then that would open up job opportunities for you beyond your background in corrections and probation. You've been well advised that public-sector jobs in correctional services are difficult to reach for non-citizens.

And second, dependent on what your family ties are back to the UK, do bear in mind that Canada's a lot easier for friends and relatives to come and visit that either Aus or NZ. It may not be a significant consideration, but anecdotally there have been a handful of threads on here over the last few years where the distance and cost of travel for visiting family have soured an Antipodean adventure somewhat. Plus, of course, we get more, um, intriguing weather in Canada.

ltm85

I have just moved to Southern Ontario having worked as a PO in the UK. I can only really speak for Ontario, but my advise would be to take a look through the list of offices http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/engli...dp_office.html and make some phone calls asking to speak to the area manager. From there I would explain your situation and see if they would be available for any discussions regarding future employment. I managed to get a temporary contract working as a Probation and Parole officer here. You need to be eligible to work in Canada and have a relevant degreee to work as a PO. Once you are working for the ministry, there are a number of other "internal" positions which you will be eligible to apply for.