wardy_1990

Afternoon everybody,

Just got my PR after 2 years in Calgary, me and the missus moved back to England to holiday and are now wanting to return to Vancouver island.

I have a ticket in Alberta for pipefitting, not redseal but in reality i am more of a commercial plumber, i would sit my redseal for plumbing with the right company but in all honesty would prefer to try something new. i will be getting my class 1 license in alberta before arriving.

i love sailing, hiking and hunting/working dogs hence the move to the coast. My brother is in NZ where i can get work so if all else fails we could end up there but we both would rather stay in canada as we love it so much.

Whats the odds on me landing in August and putting out CV's for a month to companies with driving, labouring or plumbing and getting a hit back?
is it quiet on the island for work, is there a particular shortage of workers in an area i could maybe try and get into?

thank you for all responses

regards

wardy

valefanincanada

I think your prospects are pretty good as there's lots of new buildings going up at the moment, plus it's the best place to live in Canada
Dave

wardy_1990

Cheers mate,

Nice to hear, aye we have heard its beautiful, our lass has family on the island in Victoria. Thats where we will start looking but in honesty we would prefer outside of city if were really lucky

scilly

Wherever you look, do figure in the cost of travelling OFF island ............... ferry rates are horrendous, as are plane tickets.

If you want a trip to England, you have to get to Vancouver, then overseas.

Look carefully at the medical facilities ........... in many cases you will have to travel to Victoria from almost anywhere on the island for specialised treatment, or be medivaced off island (by ambulance on the ferry or helicopter or fixed wing aircraft).

Be aware that all ambulance services are charged for in BC .............. if you are taken outside your community for treatment outside, you also have to organise and pay for your return home after recovery. The only exception is being taken from eg Nanaimo to Victoria to have a CT scan by ambulance and returned by ambulance because you are too ill to make the journey by car.

On the other hand, initial stages of treatment in the various hospitals can be fantastic ...... it's just that they don't have the equipment for specialised tests or treatments.

Treatments may also be given in your "home" hospital but by Skype conversations with specialists in Victoria or Vancouver


In fact, just as it is in most of BC away from the major cities

rivingtonpike

I think my comment to these points would be that most people, most of the time, don't get sick and require specialist medical attention in the first place. I certainly wouldn't base my life-choice of where to live on the likelihood of needing a particular medical service. There's always medical insurance which many jobs offer as part of the package.

The island is pretty. The weather is generally nice. It's a lot less wet than Vancouver. It can be a bit isolated, but outside of the major conurbations I think you can say that about lots of Canada. In my case, I work remotely, so no need for a commute at all. That seems to be the case for quite a few professionals on the island.

scilly

Perhaps my view is more coloured than yours re the need to check out such things because of events involving close friends and family over the last 4 years that have necessitated urgent journeys from "up island" to Victoria or from the north to Vancouver for treatment of serious illnesses or accidents.

It is not until such events affect relations and close friends that you realise that it might just be worth checking out.

wardy_1990

I appreciate the point raised scilly, any help is a blessing, especially seen as tho the wife is pregnant at the moment, with that in mind we have decided to stay in calgary for a little while so i can sit my redseal plumbing, then i will head out to the island as plumber much better than labouring.

Does any body have any experience with purchasing mobile homes?

cheers wardy

MrHyperPants

Loads of plumbing work in Vancouver atm

rivingtonpike

Judging from the trouble I've had getting a plumber to commit in the past, if you're professional and prompt, you'll have no problem getting work on the Island. In fact I have 2 bathrooms that need installing when you're ready.