UK electrician moving to Montreal.
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
UK electrician moving to Montreal.
My wife has applied for a job in Montreal which it looks like she is going to get.
As a UK electrician I’m totally in the dark about what is going to be involved in finding work in Montreal/Quebec.
I’ve currently started learning basic French but I’m getting a little worried about how many obstacles are going to get in my way. Taking a paycut and doing an entirely different job doesn’t bother me as we will not be dependent on my wage but I’m going to need to do something.
I’d appreciate any advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
As a UK electrician I’m totally in the dark about what is going to be involved in finding work in Montreal/Quebec.
I’ve currently started learning basic French but I’m getting a little worried about how many obstacles are going to get in my way. Taking a paycut and doing an entirely different job doesn’t bother me as we will not be dependent on my wage but I’m going to need to do something.
I’d appreciate any advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
#2
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
My wife has applied for a job in Montreal which it looks like she is going to get.
As a UK electrician I’m totally in the dark about what is going to be involved in finding work in Montreal/Quebec.
I’ve currently started learning basic French but I’m getting a little worried about how many obstacles are going to get in my way. Taking a paycut and doing an entirely different job doesn’t bother me as we will not be dependent on my wage but I’m going to need to do something.
I’d appreciate any advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
As a UK electrician I’m totally in the dark about what is going to be involved in finding work in Montreal/Quebec.
I’ve currently started learning basic French but I’m getting a little worried about how many obstacles are going to get in my way. Taking a paycut and doing an entirely different job doesn’t bother me as we will not be dependent on my wage but I’m going to need to do something.
I’d appreciate any advice from anyone that’s been in a similar situation.
You won't find it easy unless you work under the table. The hoops you have to jump through are incredible.
My Quebec-born stepson is training to be a sparks at the moment. It's a one-year course, followed by apprenticeship. He can get some time knocked off the apprenticeship because he's a qualified and experience machinist.
I hope you succeed but good luck trying.
#3
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Hello and welcome to BE!
These links may be of use to you
Certificates Issued by the CCQ� >� Emploi-Québec
Compulsory Qualification� >� Emploi-Québec
Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program� >� Emploi-Québec (or you could take/obtain your trade equivalency from another Province and then obtain a Red Seal endorsement, which would allow you to work in Quebec).
Ontario: Ontario College of Trades » Trade Equivalency Assessment
Red Seal: Construction Electrician / Red Seal / Industrial Electrician / Red Seal
These links may be of use to you
Certificates Issued by the CCQ� >� Emploi-Québec
Compulsory Qualification� >� Emploi-Québec
Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program� >� Emploi-Québec (or you could take/obtain your trade equivalency from another Province and then obtain a Red Seal endorsement, which would allow you to work in Quebec).
Ontario: Ontario College of Trades » Trade Equivalency Assessment
Red Seal: Construction Electrician / Red Seal / Industrial Electrician / Red Seal
Last edited by Siouxie; Nov 22nd 2017 at 5:55 pm.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Is your wife a Canadian citizen?
If not, what visa would she/you be coming over on?
Souvy and Siouxie have given you some good info/links.
IMO, & IME, learning French is the least of your worries (although it’s a great idea). To be blunt: unless you trained in France and have a specific French qualification which falls within the Franco-Quebec accord (see CCQ links), you’re likely up the proverbial creek without a paddle .
HOWEVER, having said all that, you might be able to get a job/work in maintenance.
If not, what visa would she/you be coming over on?
Souvy and Siouxie have given you some good info/links.
IMO, & IME, learning French is the least of your worries (although it’s a great idea). To be blunt: unless you trained in France and have a specific French qualification which falls within the Franco-Quebec accord (see CCQ links), you’re likely up the proverbial creek without a paddle .
HOWEVER, having said all that, you might be able to get a job/work in maintenance.
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Is your wife a Canadian citizen?
If not, what visa would she/you be coming over on?
Souvy and Siouxie have given you some good info/links.
IMO, & IME, learning French is the least of your worries (although it’s a great idea). To be blunt: unless you trained in France and have a specific French qualification which falls within the Franco-Quebec accord (see CCQ links), you’re likely up the proverbial creek without a paddle .
HOWEVER, having said all that, you might be able to get a job/work in maintenance.
If not, what visa would she/you be coming over on?
Souvy and Siouxie have given you some good info/links.
IMO, & IME, learning French is the least of your worries (although it’s a great idea). To be blunt: unless you trained in France and have a specific French qualification which falls within the Franco-Quebec accord (see CCQ links), you’re likely up the proverbial creek without a paddle .
HOWEVER, having said all that, you might be able to get a job/work in maintenance.
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Feel free to shout out if/when you have Qc-specific questions. There aren’t too many Brit->Qc residents around the forum, but those of us who are try to help out if we can.
#7
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Don't discount the possibility of doing work under the table. It does happen. Just a question of getting the right contacts
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Which may be why I mentioned “maintenance” jobs. Perhaps I was being too subtle?
#10
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
Hi
1. Why? If his spouse gets a work permit in NOC A, B or O, he can get an open work permit and work for who will hire him.
1. Why? If his spouse gets a work permit in NOC A, B or O, he can get an open work permit and work for who will hire him.
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,851
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
As PMM points out getting the work permit won't be the problem providing the wifes job is in skill level 0, A or B. His problem will be showing he meets the qualifications for the job especially if the employer wants to follow the rules.
Im sure there are people who might be working without having their qualifications assessed but do they also have valid work permits to actually work?
The OP will have a valid work permit if eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit but could fall foul of Provincial legislation if not qualified to do that work.
Im sure there are people who might be working without having their qualifications assessed but do they also have valid work permits to actually work?
The OP will have a valid work permit if eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit but could fall foul of Provincial legislation if not qualified to do that work.
#12
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
As PMM points out getting the work permit won't be the problem providing the wifes job is in skill level 0, A or B. His problem will be showing he meets the qualifications for the job especially if the employer wants to follow the rules.
Im sure there are people who might be working without having their qualifications assessed but do they also have valid work permits to actually work?
The OP will have a valid work permit if eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit but could fall foul of Provincial legislation if not qualified to do that work.
Im sure there are people who might be working without having their qualifications assessed but do they also have valid work permits to actually work?
The OP will have a valid work permit if eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit but could fall foul of Provincial legislation if not qualified to do that work.
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
Re: UK electrician moving to Montreal.
I’m going to look at doing something different I think.