British Expats

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-   -   Work on the Van Island (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/work-van-island-535457/)

sparkymark May 9th 2008 4:07 am

Work on the Van Island
 
Firstly Hi all, I am a qualified electrician from the north of england, I am out next week on a fact finding mission. I am validating my PR visa and staying for two weeks then heading back to blighty. If the feelings are right for me then I will be back in late august early sept to find work and a place to live, someone suggested the island, any thoughts on life on the island compared to the mainland around Vancouver and the cost of living between the two, also job opportunities for a english qualified electrician with 16 years experience in residential and commercial electrics..

Thanks Mark

Frank'n Sense May 9th 2008 1:35 pm

Re: Work on the Van Island
 
Hi Mark,

BIG question and a BIG province - and island for that matter. Broadly speaking though, your cost of living is going to be higher in bigger cities, mostly due to cost of housing. Vancouver, nearer the city, is pretty expensive. But it is a big place and hence a lot of work. The electrician I had working on my house recently even interviewed one of our visitors as a potential employee when he heard he was an electrician!

If you have your PR then you can probably choose where you want to work. It then comes down to making a decision on what kind of area is going to suit you. Cost of housing can be a strong factor in this decision (as a realtor I know all too well how this swings peoples decisions) but in my view should not be the only one. Look for the lifestyle you want and communities that will afford that for you.

Then you can find a job you like within that general area and commutable to work (you are likely to have to travel to different job sites I guess).

Have a look around while you're over and you may get a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Warmly,

Frank

sparkymark May 10th 2008 10:07 am

Re: Work on the Van Island
 

Originally Posted by Frank'n Sense (Post 6331399)
Hi Mark,

BIG question and a BIG province - and island for that matter. Broadly speaking though, your cost of living is going to be higher in bigger cities, mostly due to cost of housing. Vancouver, nearer the city, is pretty expensive. But it is a big place and hence a lot of work. The electrician I had working on my house recently even interviewed one of our visitors as a potential employee when he heard he was an electrician!

If you have your PR then you can probably choose where you want to work. It then comes down to making a decision on what kind of area is going to suit you. Cost of housing can be a strong factor in this decision (as a realtor I know all too well how this swings peoples decisions) but in my view should not be the only one. Look for the lifestyle you want and communities that will afford that for you.

Then you can find a job you like within that general area and commutable to work (you are likely to have to travel to different job sites I guess).

Have a look around while you're over and you may get a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Warmly,

Frank

Thanks Frank, I'll take the advice on board.. I am a single guy who will not be earning a fortune as I will be paid a certain amount less than a certified electrician until I take the exam...
The two week over in canada will help a little...
Thanks again
Mark


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