clay

Well.. if you read my earlier post.... I have worked offshore for 10 years... think that gives me a decent idea about how dangerous it is.... depends how you " manage " your " programmes " apart from Piper Alpha, how many deaths have their been in the North sea over the last 20 years ?? not too many mate.... Obviously these " green " hands your on about have to be closely supervised until they get used to the platform, but apart from that in the UK anyway its a safe job.... but it will be a lot more dangerous than sat on your arse in an office ( not refering to you there Jings )

Jingsamichty

You're talking about the North Sea. I'm talking about Alberta - as is the OP - which has no big offshore production platforms, only mobile land rigs. No comfy hi-tech drillers chair in a big multi-million dollar drilling module. It's mostly mobile truck mounted rigs with a 4-5 man crew, under big pressure to rig-up, drill and rig-down in a couple of days.

The drilling industry in Alberta is mostly seasonal, done in the winter when the ground is frozen. So you can add working outside in -30/-40C to that mix, with seasonal crews who were deckhands on Newfoundland fishing boats the week before...

nldfc

I'm not too sure where you are getting that information from to be honest mate - I could hire 10 greenhands tomorrow without even advertising , never mind having to go out for lmo

simon dearn

Nldfc - I seriously don't know what to do now. Do you know if its possible for a foreigner to get sponsered at greenhand level? I can only go off what I find online and I know I can't take it as fact until I actually speak to people in the know.

I've just got off the phone to an agency in Aberdeen called Atlantic Resourcing, they have over 1600 people registered who are trying to get their first trip to the North Sea, also an agency called Intersevices, they have the same problem.

It's difficult from the UK to literally call up company's in Canada, I've emailed about 20 and not even had a reply.

Pretty stuck to be fair having now spoke to some people on here.

christmasoompa

Why is it difficult? It really is the only way to do it - if you've read the Job Hunting section of the Wiki then you'll understand that emails just won't get replied to!

nldfc

I am not trying to burst your bubble here but rather than save you some cash - no-one will sponsor you at greenhand level , its an extra step that companies will go to in order to get suitably qualified people in at higher levels eg drillers and above or at least supervisor with the service companies, you really need to look at other avenues to get in .
Are you under 30 ?

In the uk maybe looking at the service companies will stand you a better chance of getting your foot in the door .

simon dearn

No you're not bursting my bubble at all, I need to get advice from people like you and its really appreciated.
Yes, I'm 29 at the end of this month.
I suppose I could start looking at how my previous heating & ventilation experience may help. I did it for 6 years, installing warm air heaters, flu systems and pipework. Unfortunately I got made redundant before I passed my corgi and acs.

I will start looking towards the service side, it won't hurt.

Thanks again mate.

@christmasoompa, I don't have a landline phone, and I don't fancy calling Canada off my mobile phone.

christmasoompa

Surely you have a friend or relative with a phone you can use though? Failing that, calling card and a payphone!

As you've discovered, sending emails is next to useless, you might as well try a carrier pigeon. Re-read the Job Hunting section of the Wiki to understand how vital phoning or seeing people in person is in Canada.

When are you 30 btw? You may be able to get an IEC visa when the program opens in Jan 2013, but if you're 31 during 2013 then you won't be eligible to get a 2nd year under the program, whereas if you've only just turned 29 then you could get the full 2 years, which may make you much more employable.

clay

mate.. I offered to advice you over the phone and you haven't even made contact. How do you expect to get on in this enviroment if you are turning this sort of advice away ?? Good luck but you will struggle with your present mindset.. get off your arse and do something about it.

simon dearn

Clay, where have you made that offer?

clay

I pm'd you... but you now replied back asking when ?? you should be asking " can I call you for advice " I would do that anyway mate... sorry if you didn't get the message, but you have to get your arse in gear mate or you will get nowhere fast in this game...

simon dearn

Ok, I haven't received it. Can you resend it and ill call you?

el_richo

My neighbour works up in Alberta and earns pretty good money doing what he does.

Where do you work, Clay?

Beaverquest

have you thought of designing a website to advertise your services on offer, then post the link to the relevant companies out there

clay

I work in a steelworks now mate, worked offshore before that...