Hi,

New to this forum thing, so you may have to bear with me if I go on a bit.

I'm an engineering technician who has worked in the satellite and telecommunicatin field (AXE10 switches) for the last 15 years, currently based in Essex (UK) and working in London. I'm qualified to HNC level and applied for the Skilled Worker visa last September. I don't expect to hear anything for at least 2 years so have a bit of time on my hands and am pretty sure I have enough points for the visa application to be succesful. My sister has been out there for 20 years and my younger brother has moved out there last week.

My questions relate to finding a job in the Waterloo/Kitchener area:

1. Are there many jobs in this field of work in this area and if there are, do the Canadians take on foreigners willingly?

2. My brother has moved out there with no job, but worked here in the UK, in IT, so shouldn't find it that difficult to find work - but my question is: is it worth even trying to find a job first before moving out there to Canada?

3. I was thinking about re-training in the CISCO field, by doing a CCNA - it costs approx £1000 here in UK. Is it worth doing this type of training for Canada ie is it as well recognised over in Canada as it is here?

4. Obviously I will use my family connections to find a job, as much as I can, but saying that I want to be independant as much as possible, but has anyone had any bad experiences moving to Canada with close family, with the preconception that it was going to be all rosy, and it turned out to be nightmare?

Any comments would be extremely welcome, and if anyone can offer me advice about any unusual ways about finding work in Canada, that would be even better. There again, if anyone can offer me a job, that would be fantastic (cheeky, but if you don't ask, you don't get, right!?)

Thanks for reading.

Here's my response:

1) Don't know the industry so can't comment.

2)I strongly suggest you take the time do a search of this forum under the terms 'IT jobs' or 'tech jobs' 'mcse' etc. It is well worth it. The result doesn't make happy reading. Here's one interesting post.

3)As others have said CCNAs are ten a penny in Canada. I knew someone with CCNP taking billing queries at an ISP. I got my CCNA a couple of months ago. It doesn't hurt to have. An IT degree would be better though. I'm not sure what the equivalent of an HNC is in Canada but it's something you might want to look into.

4)Can't comment much as I don't have any close connections to help me get a job but I do know everyone talks about how important it is to have connections and to network.

Research In Motion (the makers of Blackberry) are based in Waterloo, Ontario. They are always posting on their website for tech savvy types. The web address is http://www.rim.com/careers/index.shtml I'm sure you will find something there that interests you.
Good luck with your job search!! You will love the Kitchener/Waterloo region. It's still a bit of country yet close to cities like London or Toronto.

Thanks for that.

I wouldn't be just trying to get a job on the basis of a CCNA, but using it in conjunction with my previous experience and moving probably into the Voice Over IP field. I do know that companies over here are curently looking for CCNAs with voice experience, rather than design background.

My wife and I went to an Emigrate show in March and the Canadian rep did say that a HNC would be recognised in Canada, and it's the equivalent of a 3 year Canadian Diploma.

I'll be in a catch 22 situation by the sounds of it- don't know until you try I guess. Just out of interest how did you do your CCNA, self study or did you pay the £1000+ for a boot camp or similar?

Cheers

Hi and thanks for that.

I've had a look at their site and other job-finding sites and RIM do advertise alot. My niece, who works in Waterloo, says that the area is expanding really fast, and consequently the house prices are shooting up. The sooner we get out there the better.

We are looking forward to living in the country as currently we live near the Dartford tunnel, so cramped isn't the word. Plus we have a 3 year old so living in carbon-monoxide free air will make all the difference to her life.

OK thanks again

I spent 3 months full time self-studying to get my CCNA. A local college offers 4 courses at $1000 each to prepare you for the exam! I'm now studying for my MCSE 2003. Lots of time to do that while unemployed.

Soutwestern Ontario gets blanketed with ozone laden smog every summer sending the air quality down. It even reaches as far as eastern Ontario where I have a sister whose breathing difficulties worsen at that time. There's a mini heat wave there at the moment. However, the traffic fumes shouldn't be nearly as bad as London.

One satellite systems supplier is Com Dev in nearby Cambridge, Ontario - just outside Kitchener. They also have a plant in the Uk. I would suggest that you touch base with them and see what they have to say.

Look under "Carreers":

http://www.comdev.ca/

http://www.comdev.ca/careers/current_opp/cambridge.html

I was surprised by just how may jobs are available. I think they won a big contract.

If you like country living, you'll have to check out Heidelberg just outside Waterloo (northwest corner). It's close to St. Jacobs, the Mennonites and all that farming/country culture. My sister lives there. It's a very attractive spot.

I won't answer all your questions here but I will offer some general oversight in moving and working here in Canada.

One of the things that I do is that I own a small wireless communications company in Canada so I am quite familiar with your chosen profession and the entire industry rides a rollercoaster wave.... as does most economies of countries around the world due, for the most part, on new technologies and enterprising ways to utilize these technologies entering the market what at times seems almost daily. VOIP seems somewhat hot at the moment, as does other areas, but I'm sure something else will come along and take its place, just like VOIP has challenged the long distance carriers.

I don't confess to be an expert on how Canadian employment effects immigration, but I do know that when a company needs good talented people, it seems to need them 'right away'. The industry can't wait 2 years to fill a vacancy and former 'nationalities' does not seem to make a bit of difference. In fact, it is a law in Canada, not to discriminate or pre-judge a person based on their ethnic background.

My advice is that if you are really good at what you do and have a sound, healthy and positive personality, you will be scooped up by a number of companies... Add to that, the highest possible education in your related field and the major companies will also be banging down your door to work for them. Good people will always be in demand.

I have noticed a great number of posts here, and many seem to have a reoccurring and underlining sense of intimidation when deciding to move to another country. I guess the paper work involved and not really knowing another country will give one these insecurities. Don't let a sometimes lengthy and sometimes intimidating immigration process, dampen your sprit. The government has their reasons for this process, So stay focused, stay positive and integrate this positive attitude into your personality when you get here, even without a job lined up, and you will do just fine and prosper... ,

I can assure you, that a positive and robust approach will get you farther and faster than you could have ever imagined.


Steve

Hi Jandro,
Thank you for your reply, It had been very interesting.
I am CCNA and I am about to complete my CCNP. After that, I am thinking about obtaining the CCVP certificate (I already have experience with VoIP). I will be landing in Ottawa in 2 months (my wife got a job there )
I will appreciate a lot if I could ask you some questions:
1- What is you general opinion about the status of Cisco professional in Canada?
2- Is it worth to get the CCVP or it could be better to go for the CCIE?
3- Is there any non-Cisco certification that could be a good complement for the Cisco certifications?
4- Do you think that the unemployment rate (or sub-employment rate) of CCNPs in Canada is high?

Best regards,

1-a)From what I've read on this forum is that CCNAs are a very common certification now.
b)In my previoius job I knew a couple of Cisco certified people who were working in low paid jobs with almost no relevance to their certs.
Therefore, I conclude that having a Cisco certification will not guarantee you a nice job.

2-I would advise to focus on getting any kind of networking job first (or even any kind of job related to computers) and then focus on further certs. Competition for good jobs here is fierce as you will soon learn.

3-It's always good to have MS certs. What I think is more important though is having a computer related post secondary degree which is a requirement for many networking jobs I've seen.

4-I could not say for certain but I wouldn't be surprised going from what I've read on this forum. Many people in this country are under-employed.

Thanks again Jandro.
Good luck

Thanks for that Steve - you portray a very positive attitude and I wish you well with your business.

I have worked abroad, on Ascension Island, in the South Atlantic, for 8 years (1990-1999) - no TV, no traffic, no crime and only 35 square miles of volcanic rock, in the South Atlantic ocean - paradise I might add. I can categorically say that if I could live there, then Canada will be a breeze to move to. My wife and I have only been here working in the UK for 6 years and we're ready to move on. It's just a coinidence that my brother has moved out to Ontario last week that I've looked at this forum.

We applied for the Skilled Worker visa in August of last year, so our paperwork hangover is over, thank the lord and we're just waiting around for the ok to go.

Thanks again and if you need more staff then let me know and I'll send you my CV, or is it resume!

Mark

Thank you so much.

I will send my cv in to see what they come up with - there are definately some jobs which I am suited for, and I think you're right, they must have won a contract to be advertising for so many jobs.

Mark

In Canada, you send in a "resume" not a "cv". You should take the time to do some research regarding the difference - it's very important.

Actually, I would suggest that you start a new thread on this issue.