Steven_T

Evening Everyone

I am seriously considering moving to Canada within the next year, and looking for a bit of advice about the Construction Industry in Canada.

I am currently employed as a Quantity Surveyor for a Main Contractor. I have 6 years experience in the industry, and I graduated with a Hons degree in Quantity Surveying last year. I recently became an Incorporate Member of the CIOB, and I am currently working towards full Member (MCIOB) status.

I have no preferred location in mind to move to, but during my research, it would seem that Alberta and Ontario have the most opportunities.

My question is, is there much call for Site-Based QS's in Canada?

My research online, seems to suggest that there is demand for Construction Estimators, involved in the Pre-Construction pricing and placing of initial placing of orders, but not on-site financial management, undertaken by the QS role that I am familiar with.

I suppose my other option would be to move into a Project Cost Controller role, similar to that of a Clients QS role in the UK. Although I am concerned that as I have no experience in the role, other than my dealings as a Contractor QS, whether an employer in Canada would be willing to consider me, as I would require training for the role.

I would appreciate any information/experiences from QS's in the UK who have relocated to Canada. About the role you undertake, in comparison to your previous role in the UK? Your experiences of the industry? Generally any information you can give me, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Steve

PS. I have tickets for the Canada Live expo in London in October 2013. Has anyone been before? Were the seminars/stands useful/informative? Were there employer/recruitment stands at the event?

Thanks again.

christmasoompa

Best to have a search of the forums to see what's been said about them in the past. Last CL my company exhibited at, we were the only Canada related exhibitors there! The rest were all for Oz or NZ (it says it's a stand alone show for Canada, but in reality there is an OZ/NZ show in the room next door, and they often merge the two together if there aren't enough exhibitors).

Not a clue on anything to do with QS's I'm afraid, but again a search of the forum should reveal some relevant threads as I know they've been discussed in the past. As per the sticky thread, the search function is down at the moment so you'll need to use Google to find the threads.

Best of luck.

cheeky_monkey

The QS role essentially doesn't exist in Canada that role is split between the Estimator and Project Manager..the vast majority of UK QS here are classed as Estimators. A Good QS are normally Senior Estimators...you could get into cost control on high end projects but is a fairly niche role..those opportunities dont grow on trees.

As your willing to go anywhere i would suggest you try Western Canada as that is where the jobs are.

As for Canada live i wouldn't bother if i was you if your expecting to see construction recruiters there.

JonboyE

I see cost control consultants doing essentially what I thought quantity surveyors did in the UK. I.e. when a property developer is using bank finance to construct a building they submit periodic draws to the bank for the release of funds to pay the GC and subs. Amongst the conditions the bank imposes before releasing the funds is that a suitably qualified cost controller certifies that work to be paid for has actually been done.

cheeky_monkey

that's more of a CA role to me than a QS role..i was never a big fan of Quantity Surveyors (sorry to the OP) they earn a lot of money back home for not really doing much..and lots of them do have a high opinion of themselves with regard to their role. so it is funny that what seems to be a seen as an important role doesn't really exist in N.America.

dogboy

Hello - I'm an estimator in Canada. My role was also as an estimator in England before we moved here. I work now with folks that are qualified QS', but now called estimators.

Your best bet is to get your CV/resume in order and title your role as estimator. Primarily the jobs are in oil/gas, but there's estimators in many other sectors. Problem is that these jobs are few and far between. There's plenty of estimator jobs on the usual websites, plus have a look at specific consulting companies - AMEC, Fluor, WorleyParsons, Hatch, Ledcor, Golder and so forth. I know that there's open opportunities at a few of those places as they contacted me a short while ago!

Good luck.

danpiekut

Estimators or Cost Controllers with a QS background are highly sought after in the Oil and Gas Industry in Calgary on both the owner and contractor side as they don't really teach Quantity Surveying here.

www.indeed.ca is the best job board to see current vacancies in Alberta, and as well the consultancy companies mentioned above I would recomend taking a look at the careers pages of the large Canadian owners like CNRL, Suncor and Husky as well as international owners like Shell, Nexen and so on.

Most of these companies are often more than willing to help out with relocation and work permits.

LeeWillo

I'd be interested to see how this pans out. I'm a UK contractor QS gone to Aus Contract Administrator to Cost Control Manager. Thinking of having a go moving to the US or Canada at some point.
They don't actually have a QS qualification here. I asked why they would come to the UK for people when I had my interview. They said traditionally used an accountant in this role but found QS's to be much more profitable and it works better. I guess it must be similar over there going off what I am reading here.

Steven_T

Thanks to everyone who has commented. Apologies for not replying sooner.

I've been looking at at opportunities in British Columbia and Alberta, and there seems to be plenty about. I'm still undecided whether to go down the route of Estimator or Cost Consultant, but ill decide that in time.

Planning a trip early next year to get a feel for Canada, and have a look for jobs that may not be listed online.

Lookingtoleave

Hi
Just wandering how you got on at the expo ?

Lloyd.B

[QUOTE=Steven_T;10761362]Evening Everyone

I am seriously considering moving to Canada within the next year, and looking for a bit of advice about the Construction Industry in Canada.

Hi Steven,

Have just seen your post, came across this company a little while ago which specialise in recruitment in the construction industry overseas for people that aren't just your usual chippy or brick layer, they are based in Canada too..may be worth enquiring if they can help at all???

http://www.ssaltd.com/

Lloyd