Having read a lot of posts about getting a job in Canada, it seems to me that most people who are looking for a job that doesn't need a university degree (such as: carpenter, plumber, truck driver) have less problems in really getting the job they desire.
People with degrees seem to be looking desperately for a job in their field without much succes.

Is this true? Any comments?

Well I have an interview with an executive search company in my field of work lined up for my visit in September. I emailed this company this morning, and got a response back pretty much straight away.

I think that some professional people expect to get everything handed to them on a plate just because they are British. I expect that it will be really hard work to get a job, just like it was getting into advertising when I first graduated. So to make my search more successful I'm pulling out all the stops to get there...

These include

Using my canadian contacts to help make contacts out there
Banging on the door of every relevant recruitment agency
Making sure that I have a good Canadian resume
Researching other potential employees to contact directly

Jobs in advertising are very rarely advertised in the UK, so I'm going about the process of getting a job in exactly the same way that I can over here.

Before I got my first job in the UK, I joined a job club to get advice about how to go about the whole recruitment process, as I thought that I would never get one in my chosen industry. One thing I learned from that is that people often think they have the perfect CV, but in reality it is often not the case...

Not only are there jobs avaialble but they can pay as much or more than a degreed position.

Not true ....

Degree or no degree, it's your choice - getting an IT degree won't open the door to the best jobs, anymore than qualifying as a joiner will get you your own building company.

It's all down to personal attitude and willingness to work.

A degree isn't any better than a trade qualification - anyone who has a chip about either needs to get out more.

Are people with degrees expecting too much about landing a job in their field of work and maybe even at the level they think they qualify for?
Or are trade qualifications simply in higher demand?

The stories you hear and read about people not being able to find that job that suits them are generally about people with degrees. I haven't found an electrician complaining about the fact that he couldn't find work in Canada.....

A lot of people complaining about difficulty in finding jobs work in IT.

Once upon a time getting into IT was a good career move - technology has now moved on, less people are required to run it and a lot of development is now done overseas. The result is that there are less IT jobs.

I've certainly read posts about plumbers who haven't made the transition smoothly - trade qualifications don't give you immunity to culture shock.

In the end, it's all down to personal attributes - you'll either make it in Canada or you won't - what qualifications you have or don't have are almost irrelevant.

Hi there -

I can only speak for Vancouver Island. For the past few years with the migration of people to the area - construction companies are "begging" for qualified workers - there is MORE work then people available (now that may change - but according to the Real Estate Board - no in the near future.

On the other hand, we have people with masters and Ph.D.'s working at clerk typists or secretaries - well under their qualifications - because of lack of work in their field (and they really don't want to leave the Island).
Now that makes it a challenge for someone out of highschool with a secretarial certificate to find work - (as some organizations would hire someone with a degree but little or no secretarial experience - then someone out of secretarial school (don't askme why) - but sometimes that's the reality of it.

This is the same old story the world over…

Having a degree is great.. its say’s your educated but

….. for getting you a job.. you had better take note of what that degree is in….

If your degree is in abundance or of no direct relevance then your in the big pile with all the locals… a degree is only really useful in getting a job abroad if its relevant to a profession with shortages !!

the other option is get one of those degree’s that stand out from the crowd.. those at least will get you an interview

There is a TON of truth in what you have said there, the thing is, we folks come over here with our degrees, thinking we are just going to walk into jobs, because our degrees are from the UK, that is not the case. Canadians hold their schools in high regards, and companies like RIM would rather employ a student from University of Waterloo than someone from abroad.

Trade jobs are all over the place, and require less hassles to get, as long as you have a SIN # and a steel-toe boot, and able to lif 50kg. This folks earn sh*t loads of money, like supervisors can be on more than 40k, which in canadian terms, is good dough.

By trade job, I imagine you mean labouring?

The "Trades" are pretty well regulated, (plumbing, electrical, and yes, elevators) so I am sure a pair of toetectors and strong arms may get a hod carrying job, but I am sure it will net get you in the "Trades".

The entry level jobs in IT require you to be able to lift 50Kg .... the only difference is that it's probably a few thousand dollars of kit rather than a hod full of bricks.

Those big monitors used by geophysicists are bloody heavy .... I had to carry them around in my first job in Canada.

Im a labourer in Toronto working in tunnels and our basic rate is $31 an hour. After 8 hours its time and a half and the shift is at least 10 hours a day. we get weekends off as well. The only problem is the work isnt that steady. You might work 6 - 8 months, get laid off then find more work or wait until the next contract starts. saying that though, if you work the full year you can be looking at making $100,000. We probably make twice as much as our engineers. I guess its just about getting experience and contacts for jobs.
Id say if you are new to moving to Canada and want to earn some decent money join the union and do the labourer course. Heres the link.
http://www.183training.com/

I agree with flashman, We (our company) just started an Apprentice Carpenter today with an BSc in Geology said that he could have a job as a geo but would have to be willing to spend six months at a time in Asia ,(Mongolia) with no returns and no family,thats worse than when I was in the game all for $210cdn a day plus keep and a workday may be 12-14 hrs.
There seems to be a big swing to the trades what with the huge shortages of skilled Labour.A lot of us got out of the trades in the earl/mid eighties mostly to make a living and steady work some,like me have returned to the trades or the management of the trades,but know you have to go shopping for good help and know are at the mercy of the market wich in a way is good given that in 20 years the pay rate may have risen by a few dollars an hour.

So how do the new EI regulations affect people in your trade them - if you only work 6-8 months out of year - is it the same as for other occupations like fishermen, etc or how does it work?

Not be nosey I realize it depends on the amount you contributed to what you will receive - is it 75% of your pay or what?

Do you supply with masks if you work in tunnels to protect your health or is there no need for them? What are the dangers? and do you get danger pay?

Also a lot of people went into information technology at the time of the "Bubble" resulting in a surplus of I.T. people and a shortage of traditional skilled trades.