Take a trade
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 141
Take a trade
Looks like part of the Alberta economy is bouncing back.
Here is a recent post from a forum about working in the oil patch by a guy who works as a welding inspector:
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RE: Working in the Canadian oil sands: 6 figures in 6 months!
Repeat after me: take a trade, take a trade, take a trade! Forget the last twenty pages, read the first ten then look for work as a helper welder, pipefitter, boiker maker, insulator, crane operator, etc.
Since day one of this thread I’ve been saying take a trade and for good reason: oil exploration and drilling are sink or swim. All the rigs in Canada are moving south to greener pastures in the US.
I’ve had five job offers in the past two weeks for work in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Regina and BC at various oil refineries and upgraders. Yes the price of oil isn’t what it was but that doesn’t matter, we’re sending more oil south now than ever and the refineries need maintaining. Actually its busier now because the oil majors postponed major maintenance projects while the cost of labour so was high, now that it’s lower, there’s more work but its not in new construction, its all shut downs. The original guys who took a trade back in 2012/2013 are all ticketed up like me now (some even more, lol) and are very busy. One guy made 130K last year and didn’t even start working until April, although I think he may have gone insane haha, just kidding but he’s in a work camp now raking it in, good think his union benefits include psychological counseling.
2018 is going to be busy as hell for tradesmen while the drillers and frackers are sitting on their asses and fighting over scraps.
Take a trade, take a trade, take a trade.
Here is a recent post from a forum about working in the oil patch by a guy who works as a welding inspector:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RE: Working in the Canadian oil sands: 6 figures in 6 months!
Repeat after me: take a trade, take a trade, take a trade! Forget the last twenty pages, read the first ten then look for work as a helper welder, pipefitter, boiker maker, insulator, crane operator, etc.
Since day one of this thread I’ve been saying take a trade and for good reason: oil exploration and drilling are sink or swim. All the rigs in Canada are moving south to greener pastures in the US.
I’ve had five job offers in the past two weeks for work in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Regina and BC at various oil refineries and upgraders. Yes the price of oil isn’t what it was but that doesn’t matter, we’re sending more oil south now than ever and the refineries need maintaining. Actually its busier now because the oil majors postponed major maintenance projects while the cost of labour so was high, now that it’s lower, there’s more work but its not in new construction, its all shut downs. The original guys who took a trade back in 2012/2013 are all ticketed up like me now (some even more, lol) and are very busy. One guy made 130K last year and didn’t even start working until April, although I think he may have gone insane haha, just kidding but he’s in a work camp now raking it in, good think his union benefits include psychological counseling.
2018 is going to be busy as hell for tradesmen while the drillers and frackers are sitting on their asses and fighting over scraps.
Take a trade, take a trade, take a trade.
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Take a trade
Trades are good. If I was 20 again, I would have learned a trade.
Not sure about isolated camp work though.
Not sure about isolated camp work though.
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 141
Re: Take a trade
When I was laid off in 2011, one of my co-workers (who was 55 years old at the time and also laid off) started over as a first year apprentice pipefitter making $25 an hour after 3 years he was on $40 an hour. He worked 9-5 Mon.-Fri. in Nisku just south of Edmonton.
#4
Re: Take a trade
I'd rather be in a heated office earning the same money in IT than working my balls off in some camp doing two weeks on, two weeks off. Especially when you get in your 40's!
#5
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Take a trade
Good point. Age and physical labor do not go well.
I dont do trades but do physical labor and have 70% of the last 20 years and now approaching 40, my body hates me.
Certainly not something ill be able to do into my 40s and 50s and 60s.
I dont do trades but do physical labor and have 70% of the last 20 years and now approaching 40, my body hates me.
Certainly not something ill be able to do into my 40s and 50s and 60s.
#6
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Take a trade
Not all trade work is especially physical. We have a few trades approaching retirement. Vacancies in trades are likley to increase as boomers retire.
One should look for reasons to do something, rather than excuses not to do it.
One should look for reasons to do something, rather than excuses not to do it.
#7
Re: Take a trade
Jsmith, ever thought about becoming a self employed painter and decorator? Indoor work, no more physically tasking than baggage handling, and no shortage of cash-rich, time-poor property owners/landlords in Vancouver?
Try phoning to book a painter... if Vancouver is anything like rural Norfolk you could be waiting months. With the turnover of rental properties in Vancouver, I seriously doubt if anyone will ask to see your qualifications... just being available with a tin of paint and a ladder will likely see you have more work than you could handle for $25/hr.
Just a thought.
Try phoning to book a painter... if Vancouver is anything like rural Norfolk you could be waiting months. With the turnover of rental properties in Vancouver, I seriously doubt if anyone will ask to see your qualifications... just being available with a tin of paint and a ladder will likely see you have more work than you could handle for $25/hr.
Just a thought.
#8
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Take a trade
I didn't do well in the trades assessment/abilities testing I did through BC Works last year as we were exploring trades as an option.
I can't even understand directions on how to put together Ikea furniture...lol
I have no idea what if any trade I could learn and excel at either.
I have not been naturally good at building things/drawn into building/fixing things.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Mar 10th 2018 at 7:41 pm.
#9
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Take a trade
I didn't do well in the trades assessment/abilities testing I did through BC Works last year as we were exploring trades as an option.
I can't even understand directions on how to put together Ikea furniture...lol
I have no idea what if any trade I could learn and excel at either.
I have not been naturally good at building things/drawn into building/fixing things.
I can't even understand directions on how to put together Ikea furniture...lol
I have no idea what if any trade I could learn and excel at either.
I have not been naturally good at building things/drawn into building/fixing things.
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Take a trade
Ill look at the link.
Before I got my current job last year I was working with BC Works on possible funding for training.
However I ended up finding a job so could no longer go to BC Works and no longer eligible for such funding.
My biggest issue now is my job. Its not flexible and they wont work around a school schedule so funding a way to attend training and continue to work is a problem I have not solved.
My wife cannot work at the moment so I cant work part time.
Its just time I lack really. If I could figure out a way to work and attend training I would.
Before I got my current job last year I was working with BC Works on possible funding for training.
However I ended up finding a job so could no longer go to BC Works and no longer eligible for such funding.
My biggest issue now is my job. Its not flexible and they wont work around a school schedule so funding a way to attend training and continue to work is a problem I have not solved.
My wife cannot work at the moment so I cant work part time.
Its just time I lack really. If I could figure out a way to work and attend training I would.
Lots of trade options out there, some don't include building anything. Take a look on the ITA BC website. Some folks can also qualify for govt. assisted funding, usual requirement is on disability and or have been on EI in the last 5 years. This information should be available from the ITA or though a Work BC office.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Mar 15th 2018 at 5:10 am.