Thanks to all that turned up at the Major Oak meet up yesterday. It was nice to put a face to the Tags.

I do have a couple of questions for anyone on the forum.

1/. Has anyone who is an Electrician here in the UK, either taken the Red
Seal test to gain access to Canada via the Skilled Worker route, &
passed it! If so what was test like?

2/. The same again, but for Plumbing, or Gas?

3/. Are there any Calgary Electricians, who could send me some information
as regards the Red Seal test for Alberta province.

4/. If the Red Seal is taken in Toronto does this just cover that area or would
it be different codes for Alberta?

Also from what I can gather the test & Inspection procedures are very different from here in the UK to that in Calgary!

I would be grateful for any information received


Many Thanks


Gary

Sorry hun this is all I can tell you - steve was the guy with the black cap on yesterday his wife CJ is Canadian. Think his log on is steved61 - but not too sure

Gaynor
x

Hi
I have just passed my IP/TQ electrician ( red seal ) here in vancouver.
The process is long winded, It took about three months for the ITA to assess my experience in the UK to see if I was allowed to take the exam, (sometimes applicants are placed in the scheme as apprentices instead ).
I took the first attempt at first opportunity ( now six months after i landed ) and just missed passing ( It is not just code questions but a fair amount of 'trade knowledge' of canadian practices, I took a ten week evening class at BCIT and have now just passed my exam, ( 9 months after landing ) so I can be employed as an electrician.
I have to wait 12 months to take the 'contractors exam' before I can apply for a licence to work on my own if I wish.
If you need more info i will try to answer any questions you have.
good luck.
cheers
Jerry

Just to add a couple of points to the great info that jerry brewer has given you .......

I'm not a tradesperson, but my reading of this forum has taught me that Red Seal is an interprovincial program, that is, it is recognised across Canada.

As above.

If you want to study the Canadian electrical code, Canadian plumbing code or whatever, you can order the relevant publications from the Canadian Standards Association or from Order Line (thanks to info from dmelec and steved61 in this thread).

If you are looking for information about trades in Alberta specifically, check out Trade Secrets.

Hi Judy,

Thank you for the links. You are a mind of information. I can see why you have all the stars

We are new to this site as you can see, but I find it amazing how so many people are so willing to help people out.

Thanks again Judy, Im sure that through my Emigration journey I will be seeking your assistance again no doubt

Cheers

Gary

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the information, & Congratulations on passing your IP/TQ electrician ( red seal ). Wow sounds like hell of a journey! but hey well done you saw it through & are on your way

It sounds from what you have said that you waited until you got to Canada, then persued this Red seal route. For me I need to do this to fast track my application, in order to get a validated job offer. Or wait some 3 years or so for the Emigration process to run its course, then do what you are doing now attend college etc etc.....

A mate of mine who has now emigrated to Keswick, (this is about 70 miles North of Toronto) He too was an Electrician in the UK, he took the Red Seal & failed unfortunately with only 53% he needed 70 to pass! But this was with no study & basing it on his experience here.

From what you have said, it sounds quite intense in Vancouver with trade tests etc...

Are you planing to start on your own there? are you gaining experience now by working for a company? or just going with what you know already?

Many Thanks Jerry


Gary

Hi Gaynor,

Many Thanks, will follow up

Gary

A mate of mine who has now emigrated to Keswick, (this is about 70 miles North of Toronto) He too was an Electrician in the UK, he took the Red Seal & failed unfortunately with only 53% he needed 70 to pass! But this was with no study & basing it on his experience here.

I can sympathise, I failed at 63% and likewise no studying.


Are you planing to start on your own there? are you gaining experience now by working for a company? or just going with what you know already?

I was lucky for emigration i am married to a canadian,
work so far has been as a technician, which is in canada a lower paid job than sparkie and but easier to get.

a few links
http://www.electricalcertification.com/
http://www.thelearningpit.com/quiz/d...=AEN_Code_Asg1
http://www.itabc.ca/TrainingPrograms.php
http://www.psknight.com/
http://www.csa.ca/Default.asp?language=english

cheers
jerry

Hi Gary & Jerry,

just a question for Jerry please if possible? I am trying to do some research on plumbing in Calgary.
I was wondering where you said, that some people end up going on the apprenticeship scheme, do you still need the 9000hrs to get over there in the first place and try a pass the redseal exam, and if you don't pass you can stay on as a apprentice?


Hi Gary,
we really enjoyed meet up, nice to have met all those people. Have emailed you about your questions mate.

Also with your redseal question, I have been told, that if you find a job and you put it forward to the HRDSC and they give it the go a head, then you get your PR or WP on the bases of that job offer, fly over and start your job, then take the redseal trade exam to get your licence. Also been told that you can try and sit the exam while over there on a holiday/research trip, but this way would take a lot of sorting out and is all about timing. You would have to ask Redseal first.
Not 100% sure this is true facts, but it's what I have been told, people go over with a job first, then take the exam?

Hope this helps soom,
regards,
Carl

Hi Jerry
Do you also find it strange how techies are so poorly paid?- I can only assume it is the trade unions that drive the wages higher for trades people.
Like the IBEW guy said to me, "oh yes some employers would hire techies in preference to journeymen, fill them with glory give them a laptop and pay them $19 an hour"!!

Darren

PS I had 63% on my first attempt also!! No study.


Darren

Wow 3 mths for assesment, i am looking at doing it in barrie, ont and i have been told i can go in for assesment on Monday and do the exam on wednesday, obviously depending on the fact that my paperwork is ok.

As Judy says red seal is inter provincial, so if you want the details of the barrie office let me know

Regards


Steve (guy in black cap and wife called CJ)

Gary if you wat it i have a sample paper you could look at it is for ontario but it will give you an idea

Regards

Steve

Hi Gary
I'm an Electrician(industrial) in Calgary and have been here for a year.What i can tell you is that you will need to study for the Red seal exam, I was told that it is 50% trade knowledge and 50% code knowledge. You get marks deducted for wrong answers! and you only get 2 chances. I passed first time with 77%.
The red seal allows you to work anywhere in Canada. Here in Calgary the average wage for an industrial electrician is $30 per hour, And yes there are loads of jobs.
I'd be pleased to answer anymore questions you have.
There is a web site from Edmonton, i think, that has similar exam questions for sale but i found the ESAT Appprentice package (Code book + CD Rom) from the CSA website the best study aid.
Hope this helps.

Simon

Hi Simon,

Many Thanks for replying, & congratulations on passing the Red seal. Was this something you tackled from outside Canada? Im assuming you are from the UK? Im looking to get fast tracked really otherwise it could mean a 3 year plus wait Or did you get to Canada then study for the Red seal? Great to here there are loads of jobs Money sounds good as the cost of living is cheaper Im coming to Calgary in August this year to Holiday/Speculate.
If you are from the UK. How did the test compare to say NICEIC Entry here in the UK How do you find the Electrical work in Calgary? If you are from the UK is the testing for Earthing the same? ie. r1+r2, earth loop, RCD times, etc..
Whats the URL for the CSA website or maybe I could obtain this when I come over in August! & finaly How are you enjoying your new life in Canada?

Look forward to hearing from you

Gary

Thanks Gaynor Ive contacted Steve