Hi everyone....we will be moving to Vancouver in June, just received our visas. My husband installs double glazing, but has all aspects of the building trade, including carpentry, brickwork and blockwork. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of the best way to go about seeking work. Any ideas would be most welcome. We are all very excited, looking forward to a new life in Canada

without meaning to sound too harsh, but reading through your previous couple of posts you state that you needed to prove to your ex that Vancouver was a more beneficial environment than the UK in order for him to give you permission to move.

Please tell me that as part of your research you looked somewhat into the job front?????

Do you know if his skills are even needed there????? Just because a profession might be on the occupations in demand - doesn't mean that there are companies falling over themselves to try and hire.

I have no doubt that at some stage he will find employment, and I suppose you are doing research now - which is better late than never.

If you look on the blue bar at the top of the page there is a tab that says WIKI. There are great articles regarding job hunting and Canadianising your resume.

Although I will say that networking, and who you know play a huge part in securig a job. You will also find if you read posts from others looking for work - that emailing a resume from abroad will most likely not get any response at all. Even job hunters in the country don't get acknowledgments of receipt of resumes.

He needs to target companies in the areas you would like to move to, call them, and then when you land he needs to go and see them in person.

Have done months and months of research, this is not a decision we have taken lightly. Just thought people actually living in Canada and who have been through the process may have some good ideas!

Personally, I would not move over here (anywhere in Canada) until you have a job offer. It's just too risky at the moment.

I would suggest sending references to lots of employers and then arrange a 2 week trip to Vancouver where you could follow up 'face to face' to test the water.

You do realise that Vancouver is the most expensive city to live in N.America don't you?

Mandy is right about reading the wiki. The wiki articles are written and updated by posters from real life experience. The information there is very valuable. http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...Hunting-Canada

Installing double glazing is not a specific trade out here. It is pretty easy in a wood framed house. Most competent DIYers can do it and almost anyone working on a building site would be expected to have this ability. There is generally work for competent carpenters. However, the construction industry is in a bit of a lull right now so employers are not looking to hire from overseas. To stand much of a chance of getting work you have to make personal contacts with people making the hiring decisions.

I certainly agree with the bolded bit. I don't think the OP's OH has much chance of getting work while still in the UK so if they want to move here they will have to take the plunge. A recce trip is a great compromise.

The thing that makes Vancouver expensive is the real estate. And I suspect this is based of the City of Vancouver, not the metropolitan area. The suburbs can be much more affordable though still expensive compared to most of the rest of Canada. Rents tend to be fairly reasonable. Being a buy-to-let landlord sucks.

That said, if the OP's OH is not a journeyman tradesman then he is unlikely to be able to command more than $25 an hour. If he is the only earner this does not buy a great lifestyle.

I agree with jonboy, that the notion of 'the most expensive city in North America' is somewhat taken out of context and relates, for the most part, to real estate, not to suggest that it's not expensive, but some context is needed. I was recently in Whitehorse, Yukon and with speaking with colleauges of mine there, found it to be more expensive than south surrey where I live.

As noted, prices drop dramatically in the greater vancouver area away from the city proper. Rent is comparable, perhaps a bit more when compared to most similar sized cities.

Ensure you do your due-dillange. Make a trip over, speak to employers, reasearch the construction market. There is always construction of some type here, but seems to have slowed.

As dboy said things have definitely slowed in and around Vancouver. I'd suggest looking elsewhere in Canada if you're thinking of moving here.

dont come to ontario hardly any work here either

Maybe stay in the UK for a couple more years and see if it picks up.

Or move to Regina; building is on the upswing here...... you could get a new parka and boots and mittens and hat.... and a house might cost half what it does in Van..

Northern BC is apparently booming and suffering from a shortage of labour. However, from what i have seen of the area (Prince George, Fort St James, Williams lake, Vanderhoff, Fort St John and others....) I wouldn't bother.....

Whats wrong with PG? it's good if you like the outdoor life

So is Coal River, but would not want to live there!

You don't have to move that far north to appreciate the outdoor life.