skymaia

Hi seriously considering coming to Canada to train to become a paramedic with the hope at the end to getting to stay and work for my citizenship. Im stuck on what province will have the better opportunities for full time work. Its either British Columbia, Alberta or Ottawa. BC is only 1 year study where as the others are two years for becoming a Primary Care Paramedic. Why is this such a huge difference. People say in BC you'll only get part time work. is this true? I will be spending my life savings so this is a HUGE decision to make. I've thought about the whole doing two years uni course in the U.K. but I don't want this opportunity to move to Canada to pass me by. Im a 38 year old female already.

Any tips and advise would be really appreciated.

Sky

scrubbedexpat091

This article from 2009, pretty much sums it up, not much has changed from what I have seen and been told.

http://thetyee.ca/News/2009/06/05/BeAParamedic/

skymaia

Thank you for that. Jsmth. Emmmm doesn't sound to promising hey. I hope that is just BC and maybe Alberta province would be different. Or Ontario.

Aviator

Training is one thing, but unless you have legal residency you cannot work in Canada.

skymaia

I know it's a risk but I was going out on a wim. Train in Canada and then apply for residency or get sponsorship "hopefully". I know its a risk but I thought if I had a Canadian qualification rather than an U.K. paramedic qualification, that this would work in my favour. I'm really stuck as to which is the best route.

Aviator

If you are going to spend every penny you have, I would not risk this on a wim. What would you do if it did not work? I would look at another way to try and get into Canada on existing experience and qualifications.

You would not get sponsorship as an inexperienced paramedic either with Canadian or UK qualifications.

skymaia

Trouble is i don't really have university level qualifications. I work as Nurse Auxilliary (Nurse Assistant) and Phlebotomist (taking blood) for the NHS at the moment. I don't think these are high enough skills to get into Canada. Maybe I should try. They can only say no. Thank you though for your answers Aviator anyway. You might have saved me a fortune.

Aviator

It is not impossible, have a plan and do lots of research and networking.

skymaia

After reading your last thread. I was straight on the case with immigration. I have a lot of work experience in health care industry and transferable skills, so its worth a shot. And thanks again