Hey Guys!!

Just after a bit of advise regarding my up and coming ''Recce'' trip to BC and Alberta (Fort St John and Fort McMurray)


Basically I'm heading over there soon for a couple weeks to scope the place out, with the view to come back permanently in September (Hopefully, depending what I think of the places...! )


I was contemplating dropping off some resumes to some companies whilst I am out there to see if I get any nibbles. Does anyone have any experience of doing this or could give me any tips? Good or bad idea?

It'll be the gas and oil companies I will be approaching, I am a qualified Industrial Electrician!


Visa/Qualification recognition are no issue, all is well on that front ! Im looking to relocate as soon as an opportunity allows!


Thanks for any help !

Hi,

Am in similar 'boat', am an industrial electrician looking to relocate to BC (Vancouver area or surrounding). How have you progressed to the stage you are at? Have you got your PR and now just need to secure work? Any help much appreciated. Cheers, Steve

I'm doing the same thing in May (chemist with experience in QA, foods, medical devices). I have heard many times that the best way is to literally knock on doors with CV (resume!) in hand.
Industrial electricians? You guys will breeze it; I'm jealous!
Enjoy Canada and your new jobs

Hey Guys!

My situation was a bit easier than most to be honest, my OH is a Canadian citizen, so the logistics of things wasnt too difficult.

I have been approved under the FSW category (NOC 7242), which is just at its med requests stage, and should be done in about Sept. In the mean time I have got an IEC visa (working holiday type) which I intend to activate in July. So both visa's will overlap !

We wanted to avoid the ''marriage visa'' thing for the momentt

How far along are you with the whole thing? I must admit it was a pain for a while! If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to PM me mate! (Regarding Red seal exams etc too )

I have also heard that regarding the resume drops - but I didnt know if I was understanding correctly! Literally show up at the main offices and drop off resumes? Im not sure if I like the idea of 'cold calling'!!

Is this a normal thing in Canada???

If you are going out there alone, I wonder whether it is necessary with a recce trip to Fort McMurray? I assume you are going there to make some money and not because the place is pretty? (which it isn't apparently) Also be careful at Immigration when arriving in Canada what you tell them you are doing. I went for an interview/ recce visit to SK and was given a 5 day stay by the unfriendly immigration officer in Calgary. I think she thought I was going to start work straight away! Also, I did have good experiences calling Canadian companies in advance from the UK, everybody was very friendly on the phone.

Yep, certainly is. Have a read of the Job Hunting section of the Wiki which will explain exactly how to go about finding a job in Canada.

Oh, and I have to ask - forgive my nosiness! How come your OH didn't just sponsor you for PR?

Haha no problem!

We have only been together 2 and a bit years (Met in Honduras on work...now back in the UK together...long story ) and we did look at the whole sponsorship thing! We werent in a hurry to leave the UK initially, and one of the stipulations with sponsorship was she was going to be responsible for me for 3 years or something (I think thats correct! Regardless of what our relationship status was!)

So being fairly newbies together we wanted to keep things 'simple'


Thats good to know regarding the Recce trip - ive had a few issues entering Canada on a tourist visa a couple of times becuase my GF is Canadian and they thought I wasnt going to leave .

With regards to the Recce trip to Fort McMurray, it was mainly just to try and meet some potential employers and such? I have to go to Canada anyway to sort out some courses I'm doing so I figured '2 birds....'...

I'd be going to Fort Mcmurray soley for the money - I'm hearing a mix bag of reviews with regards to housing/jobs/drugs, the whole shabang!

Thanks for the heads up guys

while there is work up north in your trade, most of the companies that have staff working in the oil patch have their main offices based in edmonton or calgary. you may be better arranging to meet companies in those areas, also check out edmonton journal jobs section.

And the Red Deer area is also where a lot of employing goes on too.

Incidentally this was the way my OH got his job offer in 2004, just popped into a few places whilst on recce and got talking to the locals.

[QUOTE=Geordie86;9252308]I'd be going to Fort Mcmurray soley for the money - I'm hearing a mix bag of reviews with regards to housing/jobs/drugs, the whole shabang!

QUOTE]

Yeah its a hell hole..dont take kids there if you got any is my advice

Yep that's the best thing you can do is drop off your resumes and ring!!

The oil and gas industry is picking up but they are being pickey who they're employing. I think at the moment it's reccommendations, that sort of thing. But anyway just apply to as many as you can and follow up with a phone call. I know you have to be resident in Alberta, they're not using other provinces at this moment of time. And some are getting through Union only! To be part of the IBEW union you have to be resident there in Alberta for 3 months! U could try CLAC.

We've been doing ours from the UK and have heard nothing. We have a few contacts so will just apply once in Canada from September, maybe before??

The oil industry seems to want scaffolders, welders etc,etc at the moment for the new firebag stage 3/4, I think electricians will be needed very soon! It is picking up shortly.

I don't know if your visa will be a problem at this time. maybe, maybe not??? But once the industry gets very busy they look for foreign workers and Canadians outside Alberta.

As for living in Fort Mac, you'll be better off living outside. Try areas that are reachable, an hour or two away. Remember you tend to be on a rota system, and maybe need to stay on camp???? You can always live in Edmonton or Calgary and fly into Fort MacM. The employers may pay for this, then they bus you in from the airport. Just depends what project you hop onto.

Let me know if you have facebook and I can give you a link, may help!

Hope this helps!

Angela

Hey you! Hows it going?

Hiya!!!!

All good thank you!

Lots sorted out and everyone on the application now have PR cards. In Jan we went to Calgary to activate visas and skied in Banff. Rob took some extra safety certs while there. Returned and sorting out final bits and pieces. Rob moving out in Sept and we follow later May end up in Calgary, or outskirts. Prob join the rest of the Brits in Okotoks!

Loads of planning and saving so we don't fall on our ...., at the first hurdle. This is where people go wrong hey?

Angela

Hi,I am looking for a red seal electrician job in AB,BC is dead.Can somebody help with advice?

My hubby is an ex-steel Electrician. Look at the website for who is hiring, send in your resume and follow it with a call and explain when you will be in the country and could you set up a meeting.

Good Luck with the Job Hunt