Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Hi All

23 year old
High Voltage and LIVE Low Voltage Underground Cable Jointer
Authorised to locate Underground faults
ONC in Electronic and Electrical Engineering
City and Guilds in Electrical Transmission and Distribution
Extensive Knowledge of Wind Farm technology, Testing and Connecting

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view...ve_tab_profile

More of my skills and history on there

Not trying to brag if it is coming across that way btw lol :o



Am looking to move the the USA. Would like to move to a country with better things for when I have children in the future, better life for myself and other half (better weather of course) and a country where I feel I can do better for myself.

They call it the land of oppurtunity right?

Just wondering if anyone in my job role or similar experience has ever made that jump and how they went about doing it?

Have researched alot and have seen that there is alot of this type of work in the US. Have spoke to a few companies in the USA and all have said keep checking their website for job offers however it seems the job role had a different name?

Incase any one else who tried searching for this also:

A Journeyman is the equivalent of an Apprentice in the UK.
A Linesman is an overhead linesman
and from what the lady at Southern California Edison explained a
Groundsman is an underground cable jointer.

Obviously typing that in google gives you nothing but gardening jobs and turf removers.


All info helpful!
Not seen an extensive post or page on the internet that can offer info for people in my position so I hope this can benefit more than just myself!:amen:


PS I realise its a longshot in my line of work
I also realise the best way is to marry a citizen
I do not have 1million USD to invest in the US
I cannot apply for Green Card lottery.
I am praying on the fact of a work permit.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

I am unsure of how common sponsorship is for your line of work, however as you do not mention a degree anywhere, I'm assuming you do not have one, in which case, you'll need at least 12 years work experience to be eligible for the H-1B sponsorship visa (less if you have 1 year of a degree or more).

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

They call it The Land of Opportunity but that doesn't necessarily make it so.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

I can tell you that wind farm developers were going full steam ahead a few years ago, but have been cutting back substantially in the last year or so. In any case I don't know where they get their construction labor from - I suspect specialty fims and I can't suggest any of them.

I can also tell you that the average age of worker's in the electric utility industry is rising, and huge numbers of people will be retiring in coming years. Look particularly at utilities that serve major cities, which generally have underground distribution networks, and that are in congested regions of the country, such as the NYC tri-state area, that have underground transmission as well.

You may not be able to get these outfits to sponsor you for a work visa, but if you can get here otherwise you should have a relatively easy time finding work.

Regards, JEff

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Jeff thank you very much

At the moment I have been looking at California.

Sounds silly but have been looking through google earth checking for places that dont appear to have Overhead Lines.
California is one of the biggest also they are still installing Wind Farms in the desert.

My ONC I am trying to progress further to get a Diploma which I think transfers to a Bachelors degree from what I have read so will maybe have to look further into it.

Thank you all for your help at least there is a bit more information to go on!:thumbup:

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

My husband is in the wind industry and is headhunted regularly by people in the US, but he has lots of contacts there and specialist skills.

If you're on Linked In and your skills are needed, I'm sure they'll come after you! Not sure what visa you'd be eligible for though, would the job need a degree?

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

At 23, without a degree and not working for a company that could transfer you, I would say your chances are quite poor at present. As you already said, in your line of work it is a longshot due to the nature of contract work in this field.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

I think linesmen are part of a cricket umpiring crew, aren't they? This is the guy you want:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU

Good luck!

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

When I worked for the airlines a Linesman was the chap that filled the planes with gas and towed them into the hanger etc :)...you live and learn.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

I think it was last year I watched a TV programme about how in CA a lot of the staff were getting to retirement and how they were bring new people in, usual scenario of thousands of applicants for each job. They has an apprenticeship scheme, showed them being taught how to climb poles etc.

Not that this help the OP very much as sponsoring people from abroad was never mentioned. Seemed also unionised so that would stop it.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Finding a job is not really a problem.
Finding a visa is your problem, and it sounds like it will be a multi-YEAR effort on your part.

To come over on a "skills" H1-B based visa you basically need a university degree or 12 years of experience. The other way in would be a company transfer, where you work for a large multinational in the UK and then get transferred to their USA operations.

Take a look at this list and see if you qualify under any of the visa categories. Until you have a visa, all other questions are basically moot sorry to say.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski's_Ways%3A_How_to_Live_and_Work_in_the_USA

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Indeed ...

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Others here on BE have reported finding cabling and similar work in Canada, and under some circumstances it can be easier to find work in the US if you are already in Canada, and certainly if you're already a Canadian citizen. So you may want to explore the possibility of immigrating to Canada, obtaining Canadian citizenship, and making a move to the US a longer term goal, which as Penguinsix said, it already is.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

Hi

I happen to work for a US electric utility and arrived here by way of Canada 30 years ago.

I'm a professional engineer by training and when I moved to the US I was sponsored by a US company.

As was suggested, and in my experience, you will probably find it much easier obtaining employment in Canada before getting in to the US.


A Journeyman is the equivalent of an Apprentice in the UK.

A lineman (or woman) is an overhead lineman working on overhead distribution and transmission circuits.

A cable jointer in the UK would be a cable splicer here in the US.

A groundperson here is usually a helper for the qualified craft person.

Workers in this field can be either union or non union.

Utility employees usually are unionized.

Contract employees may be union or non union.

With your skill sets I don't think you will find an easy employment path to get here.

These jobs pay really well, and with overtime, we have employees grossing close to $200k a year, so the supply of US applicants more than fulfills our needs.

Hope this helps.

Re: Cable Jointer in the UK looking to move to the USA
 

You don't mention having a OH.

I suggest match.com