Second Chance
 

If I was to start all over again, could you advise me which profession is most in demand? I have a degree in Construction, yet I know that I will need to requalify in an equivalent Canadian field to make a living. It makes sense for me to use the time and investment to requalify in a field where there is a demand.

(Sorry if it's a 'how long is a piece of string' scenario):o

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Re: Second Chance
 

Canada is short of 30,000+ truck drivers.....

Re: Second Chance
 

To be quite correct, Canada is in need of 225,000 Truckers over the next 10 years, read it recently, if i find it, will post a link
Link found

http://www.learntodrivetrucks.com/careers.asp

Re: Second Chance
 

There was a bit on the local CTV news last night about a family who came from Holland a year ago. He was working for a Saskatoon trucking company and, as he told the story, they told him he would be earning more than it turned out he was actually earning and in the end they fired him with no reason. He was griping about how the police came knocking at his door with the immigration officials, threatening to deport him.

I assume this was just his version of the story, because at the end, the announcer said that when they spoke to the trucking company, they said they had "very good" reasons for firing the man and that he knew very well why he had been fired.

Somehow or other the guy's story that he had been terribly wronged, did not totally ring true.

I just cannot imagine the trucking company would sponsor him and then get him over here and then fire him with absolutely no reason for doing so.

The whole bloody family were puffing on cigarettes the whole time the guy was being interviewed. That would be enough for me to deport them!!!

(sorry - just a snide remark about smoking there!!))

Re: Second Chance
 

i read this today liz, this is it here,
http://mysask.com

Centre page, Family faces deportation, the Company in..
This one that i took off my Forum for wasting my time.
http://www.westcanbulktransport.com/
Asked me to fill in application form, then send driving licence copy, than once i told them i had already applied for PR, they dropped me, NO JOBS avail, but still a friend on my forum has an interview with them....... funny goings on at Westcan if u ask me.

Re: Second Chance
 

Don't go into IT :)

Re: Second Chance
 

Takes a while, but anything medical (although you'd probably still need to requalify over here too!)

Re: Second Chance
 

This might sound hokey because that's the way I am sometimes :). I think people should go in the direction of what the have a passion for and then figure out how to make money from that. I'm a firm believer that work shouldn't feel like work.

Re: Second Chance
 

I was a bit concerned too. I work in IT and think I may have to reconsider my career path. I'm quite interested in food and nutrition - does anyone know what the markets like in that area.

Re: Second Chance
 

Cov, I think the immigration Canada website has a list of demand occupations and give points accordingly last time I looked (was a while back) nurses, chefs, It people were all in demand. A skilled trade like construction you can make a lot of money , the person who just did our basement has more work the he can handle. Its not only the skill you have its how you apply it that will get you work. Some craftsman are happy to do a so so job, others take pride in their work and give credit to the profession. Some of my ffriends in IT actually wish they were in a construction industry.

p.s sent you a PM

Re: Second Chance
 

I got the same from IT recruiters in Toronto ... $80K to $90K in a senior role ... no problem, contact us when you land ... suddenly no interest and no jobs when I landed as a PR.

Re: Second Chance
 

Mrs/Mr G - I have read in many posts of your dismay with the IT industry in Calgary/Canada. Can I just ask if you managed to find an IT job, and if so how long did it take - or have you moved into a different field?

Thanks
Helen

Re: Second Chance
 

I've been here since fall 2001 and I'm now onto my 3rd IT job ... it took 6 months and a move to Calgary to get the first, which lasted just over a year before I got laid off ... six weeks to get the second, which I left voluntarilly ... I was offered the third while I still had the second :D

It's a gamble ... I know people who got jobs straight off the plane, I also know people who took months to get a job ... you have to be in the right place at the right time and speak to the right people :(

Re: Second Chance
 

Why couldn't you work in construction? Construction is booming here in BC!! Everywhere you look they are putting up more condo's, stores, houses, etc.

Re: Second Chance
 

Thank I feels so much better :(

Does knowing people in the Canadian IT industry count for anything?

Re: Second Chance
 

Hi, Thanks to all of you for the advice its greatly appreciated.

I have seriously considered re-qualifying as a building inspector in order to continue in the construction field (I'm a building surveyor in the UK). At 43, I no longer have the energy levels and fitness I used to, to work on the tools although I am capable of tackling most construction trades.

I have also seriously considered training as a lorry driver as my brother in law in the UK is in this field, and has told me that a number of his colleagues have moved to Canada as there is such a demand over there.

I never seriously considered IT due to the negative vibes I have about the state of the industry at present, and in fairness I will have strong competition from other better qualified, younger, and more experienced professionals.

I have considered buying a small business that will allow me to cover my day to day expenses, ( I will have either have no mortgage or a very small one).

I have considered the option of investing in a number of suitable holiday type properties, and living on the rental income.

Ray, PMed you.

Re: Second Chance
 

I can vouch that a turn in career path may not be detrimental to larger plan of life! I was in sales doing nicely down south with nice house, car etc etc, was I really happy? I found the answer on a beach in spain, so quit moved back north and trained the three years as a nurse and never looked back. Sure the money is worse and there are the less than good days but on the whole no regrets. Whats more i found then my newly aquired skills are in demand all over the world and it is suddenly my oyster!! :D Mind you my friends consist of docs, nurses, plumbers etc, we are globally in demand, and we're still here in burnley lancashire! Doh! :cool:

Re: Second Chance
 

Don't take it personally ... I didn't say don't stay in IT, I said don't go into IT ... anyone starting out in IT now is at the bottom of the heap ... switching into IT when you move to Canada just gives you a lot of competition for jobs.

Also bear in mind that Canadian employers will reimburse your training costs ... you pay for the exams and they reimburse you if you pass them. If you're short of cash, retraining in IT can be an expensive option.

I had a rough first two years, but now I'm way happier than I would have been if I'd stayed in the UK.

Yep ... that's called a network :D

Re: Second Chance
 

I thought construction was a booom industry at the moment (or is that just Vancouver?!)

Re: Second Chance
 

Thanks :D