Would like some honest advice
Nov 13th 2012, 9:48 pm
#16
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Would like some honest advice
Wow, that's pretty honest advice you guys are giving!
Nov 14th 2012, 1:09 am
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: MB rural.
Posts: 1,001
Re: Would like some honest advice
do you still need $30k if the poster comes over on a TWP.with a work contract.
and yes Ei (dole)is minus tax at 65% BUT up to a max of 840$ per biwkly.
a carpenter is a job i think is in demand in MB.
but not through winter .so think 3 mnths on lay off.on 65% of average last 24wks pay.
jimmy.
and yes Ei (dole)is minus tax at 65% BUT up to a max of 840$ per biwkly.
a carpenter is a job i think is in demand in MB.
but not through winter .so think 3 mnths on lay off.on 65% of average last 24wks pay.
jimmy.
Nov 14th 2012, 1:21 am
#18
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Would like some honest advice
do you still need $30k if the poster comes over on a TWP.with a work contract.
and yes Ei (dole)is minus tax at 65% BUT up to a max of 840$ per biwkly.
a carpenter is a job i think is in demand in MB.
but not through winter .so think 3 mnths on lay off.on 65% of average last 24wks pay.
jimmy.
and yes Ei (dole)is minus tax at 65% BUT up to a max of 840$ per biwkly.
a carpenter is a job i think is in demand in MB.
but not through winter .so think 3 mnths on lay off.on 65% of average last 24wks pay.
jimmy.
Nov 14th 2012, 1:34 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: MB rural.
Posts: 1,001
Re: Would like some honest advice
yeah forgot to mention the hrs rule ....and i put 24wks duh should know better as just went through the yearly EI internet routine.(no concrete work in winter).
jimmy
Nov 14th 2012, 1:42 am
#20
Sawdust making harpy
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Alberta
Posts: 11,291
Re: Would like some honest advice
Of course it is - what do you want everyone to say? "Hell yeah come and move with your wife and kids cos it's all gold paved roads?"
Lots of people hear on the grapevine about Canada / Australia "crying out' for this that and the other skill, and falsely believe that they are lands of a-plenty, with cheap living costs and big houses.
It isn't the case, the reality is that work is just as tough to find as it is back in the UK, and the cost of living pro rated is about the same - this is not just strangers on a internet forum trying to p*** on someones bonfire - it's the stark reality.
Canada is expensive unless you have a super high paying job or pots of equity. It really is the same sh1t different bucket, though granted the bucket is a beautiful one.
Lots of people hear on the grapevine about Canada / Australia "crying out' for this that and the other skill, and falsely believe that they are lands of a-plenty, with cheap living costs and big houses.
It isn't the case, the reality is that work is just as tough to find as it is back in the UK, and the cost of living pro rated is about the same - this is not just strangers on a internet forum trying to p*** on someones bonfire - it's the stark reality.
Canada is expensive unless you have a super high paying job or pots of equity. It really is the same sh1t different bucket, though granted the bucket is a beautiful one.
Nov 14th 2012, 1:39 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 72
Re: Would like some honest advice
No cash back up, employment security is not that great in Canada and 5 kids 
The social welfare system in Canada is nothing like the UK, you are pretty much on your own. You would get no EI if laid off until you've worked for 5 months, even then it is only 65% of your wage and taxable. Medical care, you would need to cover the first three months insurance yourself. Medical care does not kick in right away in all provinces.
With no kids, maybe worth a shot, with any number kids, risky, with 5 a huge gamble. Even with $30k, that would b pretty tight these days.
The social welfare system in Canada is nothing like the UK, you are pretty much on your own. You would get no EI if laid off until you've worked for 5 months, even then it is only 65% of your wage and taxable. Medical care, you would need to cover the first three months insurance yourself. Medical care does not kick in right away in all provinces.
With no kids, maybe worth a shot, with any number kids, risky, with 5 a huge gamble. Even with $30k, that would b pretty tight these days.
Nov 14th 2012, 3:39 pm
#23
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Would like some honest advice
All I would say is just do as much research as you can on the regions you are contemplating, their economies, job prospects, house prices, schools, languages, accessibility to interests etc etc. I think we did about 2 years research including a 3 month sabbatical recce before we made the final plunge. Even then nothing could have prepared us for the reality of the last 2 years!
Not that I would change it for the World.
Nov 15th 2012, 12:22 am
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sittin' pretty on The Prairie in Alberda
Posts: 635
Nov 15th 2012, 1:22 am
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 328
Re: Would like some honest advice
Carpenters here tend to be multi disciplined here(at least in my experience). When we advertise for carpenters, they must be able to frame,drywall, mud and paint, as well as all the usual finish carpentry skills normally associated with a typical British carpenter. Bigger organizations may employ specific skill sets, but this seems to be the exception rather than the norm. For drywall, read plaster board and for muding read Aimes taping. I work in residential renovations and our carpenters are paid between $20-30 per hour. They are expected to provide their own tools and are only paid if we have work for them. I know unionized workers get a higher rate of pay, but getting union jobs is much harder as is finding the work for them. If you do decide to try it, I would suggest that you go self employed. If you continue to work at the same pace as you do in the UK and do it well, you should twice as much work as the Canadians carpenters I have come across.
Nov 15th 2012, 1:53 am
#26
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Would like some honest advice
Carpenters here tend to be multi disciplined here(at least in my experience). When we advertise for carpenters, they must be able to frame,drywall, mud and paint, as well as all the usual finish carpentry skills normally associated with a typical British carpenter. Bigger organizations may employ specific skill sets, but this seems to be the exception rather than the norm. For drywall, read plaster board and for muding read Aimes taping. I work in residential renovations and our carpenters are paid between $20-30 per hour. They are expected to provide their own tools and are only paid if we have work for them. I know unionized workers get a higher rate of pay, but getting union jobs is much harder as is finding the work for them. If you do decide to try it, I would suggest that you go self employed. If you continue to work at the same pace as you do in the UK and do it well, you should twice as much work as the Canadians carpenters I have come across.
Nov 15th 2012, 3:46 pm
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1,654
Re: Would like some honest advice
No cash back up, employment security is not that great in Canada and 5 kids
The social welfare system in Canada is nothing like the UK, you are pretty much on your own. You would get no EI if laid off until you've worked for 5 months, even then it is only 65% of your wage and taxable. Medical care, you would need to cover the first three months insurance yourself. Medical care does not kick in right away in all provinces.
With no kids, maybe worth a shot, with any number kids, risky, with 5 a huge gamble. Even with $30k, that would b pretty tight these days.
The social welfare system in Canada is nothing like the UK, you are pretty much on your own. You would get no EI if laid off until you've worked for 5 months, even then it is only 65% of your wage and taxable. Medical care, you would need to cover the first three months insurance yourself. Medical care does not kick in right away in all provinces.
With no kids, maybe worth a shot, with any number kids, risky, with 5 a huge gamble. Even with $30k, that would b pretty tight these days.
Nov 15th 2012, 5:58 pm
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 72
Re: Would like some honest advice
Totally agree with this! And would add, why would a Canadian employer take on someone from the UK, over Canadians with experience in local building and regulations? To OP do your recce trip if you are still interested in coming to Canada in winter - do not come over in summer when the weather is nice! With a wife and 5 young kiddies, I would definitely not take on this challenge. Better to move to another area of UK for work.
I prefer ALL the other seasons but must admit it looks beautiful from the inside with a hot Choc near the fire
