there is plenty of work in alberta just depends if you want to get off your arse and go get it.The residental side of construction has slowed down big time, but that was at stupid levels anyway, no way substainable as it was, by the way i am a bricklayer/stonemason,so i see what is going on. I have never been out of work here yet in the winter, and if your good at what you do you won't be.
if you are a machine driver try these companies for work,Volker stevin, highway construction, Standard general ,highways,shopping mall roads and stuff like that, Kidco, they do major excavations of sub divisions,leveling fields for new communitys stuff like that, Borger who install sewers and utilitys in new sub divisions. KLS, new roads and general excavations, keystone excavations, residential excavations and muck away, these companies are always advertising for guys and gals commercial work is still very strong here.

Thanks for answering - thats encouraging news. I will research these companies and contact them. Its good to know there are lots of companies that I have never heard of.

How do you keep bricklaying in the winer? Would I be able to find work as a bricklayer with my NVQ or would I need to take the red seal exam?

Are you on residential or commercial?

Thanks again for your help

i am not sure what the sitution is with nvq's, i have the red seal so that was accepted straight away. In the winter we cover the scaffold with tarps and heat it so its not a problem with the cold.
john

could you work to supplement his income during the winter months? Seems fair to me. Unless you have young children??