Manitoba Advice
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8


Hi everyone,
I am a 28 year old guy from the Liverpool and am hoping to find some advice on the possibility of finding class 1 work in Manitoba. I have been driving courier vans in the uk for a several years and want to move up to my HGV/ Class 1 and am wondering if I can do this in Canada as I have an IEC visa which is basically an open work permit (so no lmo needed) for a year but can be extended to two.
My plan is to move to Winnipeg and do my class 1 training at United Transportation Driver Training in Steinbach and then hopefully find a job which down the line will enable me to apply for my PR.
So my question is do you guys think this is a feasible plan? Is it possible to get any kind of class one work in manitoba without class 1 experience? I have been driving for over 10 years and have a clean licence. Any advice and thoughts would be really appreciated.
Cheers guys
I am a 28 year old guy from the Liverpool and am hoping to find some advice on the possibility of finding class 1 work in Manitoba. I have been driving courier vans in the uk for a several years and want to move up to my HGV/ Class 1 and am wondering if I can do this in Canada as I have an IEC visa which is basically an open work permit (so no lmo needed) for a year but can be extended to two.
My plan is to move to Winnipeg and do my class 1 training at United Transportation Driver Training in Steinbach and then hopefully find a job which down the line will enable me to apply for my PR.
So my question is do you guys think this is a feasible plan? Is it possible to get any kind of class one work in manitoba without class 1 experience? I have been driving for over 10 years and have a clean licence. Any advice and thoughts would be really appreciated.
Cheers guys

#2
Forum Regular



Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122









You need to get your Class 1 in the UK, get a couple of years experience, then go over. You need to have driven Class 1 for 2 out of the last 5 years. You then have to take your class 1 again in Canada.

#3
Forum Regular



Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122









As well as written tests & Air brake test.

#4
BE Forum Addict









Joined: Jun 2007
Location: 9 years in the canadian trucking industry... Niverville MB
Posts: 4,423












Not true..... these criteria apply to LMO/WP applicants, with the visa he has he can feasibly come here get his ticket and get a job. Just like any green horn Canadian

#5

In this particular case I agree with Gremmie. By the terms of his visa he's not coming to Canada as a truck driver so he doesn't have to prove truck driving experience.
Of course actually getting a job without experience might be a different matter?
Of course actually getting a job without experience might be a different matter?

#6
Forum Regular



Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 241


i came over on an open visa got my canadian license but i did have years of experience back home. i did have a job lined up before coming over to tide me over till i got my license etc sorted. just do lots of research and make sure u have enough money to get you till the cash starts to flow in.
I have to agree you would be better getting some driving experience in uk see if you like it first.
I have to agree you would be better getting some driving experience in uk see if you like it first.

#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8


Thanks guys,
Your advice is really appreciated. If I pay for my HGV over here there are not many jobs around, especially for someone starting out. I was hoping there would be more opportunities in Canada for a new guy as it seems to be in a much better state economically…plus I have my visa right now which I don’t really want to go to waste. I may not be able to get one again.
It will be a gamble if i do come over as from your reply’s it isn’t very likely I will find class 1 employment, but even if not hopefully I can get a job driving vans or something until I get a break or have to head back.
I really want to get out of the UK while I have the opportunity, funds and no ties here. I guess I will have to think it over some more and hope I make the right choice. Thanks again for your thoughts, honestly are a big help and appreciated.
Cheers.
Your advice is really appreciated. If I pay for my HGV over here there are not many jobs around, especially for someone starting out. I was hoping there would be more opportunities in Canada for a new guy as it seems to be in a much better state economically…plus I have my visa right now which I don’t really want to go to waste. I may not be able to get one again.
It will be a gamble if i do come over as from your reply’s it isn’t very likely I will find class 1 employment, but even if not hopefully I can get a job driving vans or something until I get a break or have to head back.
I really want to get out of the UK while I have the opportunity, funds and no ties here. I guess I will have to think it over some more and hope I make the right choice. Thanks again for your thoughts, honestly are a big help and appreciated.
Cheers.

#8
BE Forum Addict









Joined: Jun 2007
Location: 9 years in the canadian trucking industry... Niverville MB
Posts: 4,423












Thanks guys,
Your advice is really appreciated. If I pay for my HGV over here there are not many jobs around, especially for someone starting out. I was hoping there would be more opportunities in Canada for a new guy as it seems to be in a much better state economically…plus I have my visa right now which I don’t really want to go to waste. I may not be able to get one again.
It will be a gamble if i do come over as from your reply’s it isn’t very likely I will find class 1 employment, but even if not hopefully I can get a job driving vans or something until I get a break or have to head back.
I really want to get out of the UK while I have the opportunity, funds and no ties here. I guess I will have to think it over some more and hope I make the right choice. Thanks again for your thoughts, honestly are a big help and appreciated.
Cheers.
Your advice is really appreciated. If I pay for my HGV over here there are not many jobs around, especially for someone starting out. I was hoping there would be more opportunities in Canada for a new guy as it seems to be in a much better state economically…plus I have my visa right now which I don’t really want to go to waste. I may not be able to get one again.
It will be a gamble if i do come over as from your reply’s it isn’t very likely I will find class 1 employment, but even if not hopefully I can get a job driving vans or something until I get a break or have to head back.
I really want to get out of the UK while I have the opportunity, funds and no ties here. I guess I will have to think it over some more and hope I make the right choice. Thanks again for your thoughts, honestly are a big help and appreciated.
Cheers.

#9
Forum Regular



Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Picture Butte, Alberta, Canada.
Posts: 222


Gremmie is right, if you want to be in Canada do it all here.
The instructor my Mrs had said it was EASIER to train her as she had no preconceived ideas. What he said is what she did.
Plenty more opportunity for driving over here, Winnipeg an excellent place to start.
Come on over, don't waste your time & money in UK.
The instructor my Mrs had said it was EASIER to train her as she had no preconceived ideas. What he said is what she did.
Plenty more opportunity for driving over here, Winnipeg an excellent place to start.
Come on over, don't waste your time & money in UK.

#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8


Thanks a lot guys, soon as I sell my motorbike I will come over and try my luck. If it doesn’t work out then I will just have to go back to blighty and at least wont have regrets for not trying.
Thanks again for taking the time to offer your thoughts , really is appreciated. See you on the other side eh…
Thanks again for taking the time to offer your thoughts , really is appreciated. See you on the other side eh…

#11
BE Enthusiast




Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 315







Save your money, do the training and test in Canada.

#12

Thanks a lot guys, soon as I sell my motorbike I will come over and try my luck. If it doesn’t work out then I will just have to go back to blighty and at least wont have regrets for not trying.
Thanks again for taking the time to offer your thoughts , really is appreciated. See you on the other side eh…
Thanks again for taking the time to offer your thoughts , really is appreciated. See you on the other side eh…


