Electrical work Canada

[Romans99]

For those of you who are interested in coming to Canada i have started this thread to give you an idea of what the work is like over here.

As ever, if you have any questions regarding the differences in methods/terminology etc then please feel free to ask


First three pics are some pipework, 70% of what you do over here is installing EMT and pulling wire through it.

Next are some typical panel shots

Then, me installing rod for cable tray in a 600,000 sq foot building. Thats a lot of rod,
its -30 degrees inside and the ceiling is sheer ice.

Then, an outdoor car park plug, I mounted and wired over 50 of these in temperatures of around -25c

many more to come......

 

[vinny electric]

when you get too canada how do you get your electrical papers changed over so that you can work over there, do you have to sit a test or just hand in your papers and they give you a electrical work card .
also is the money any good in canada for electricians
thanks for your time

 

[Graeme Harrold]

An explination of the Journeyman process would be good as I have briefly looked into doing it. I did my Heavy Duty fitters (vehicle mechanic) many years ago, and all I had to do was a little revision and sit the exam. Hardest part was the differing terminology for the same technical aspect.

Im just about ready to get hold of some books, so recommendations would be warmly welcomed.....

 

[Romans99]

Wireman, there are indeed minimum distances that EMT can travel before a method of support is used and i can assure you that my pipework is supported according to code, but of course not the "NEC" as you mention. Thanks for pointing that out though. Just one of the many things that guys who come here have to learn with regards to the code book.


For anyone whos interested and who doesnt know, the larger the size of EMT pipe = the longer the distance between straps/clamps.

Vinny -
You have to fill in verification of trade experience forms (which will be different in each province) and then your experience will be assessed by the apprenticeship board who will then state that you can work as an apprentice until you have met the 1800 hours of canadian work experience required for you to sit the journeyman exam.

it differs from place to place (like the UK) but where i am a 3rd year apprentice earns $20 an hour, a 4th year $25 an hour and a journeyman $35.

Graeme
A journeyman is someone who has completed the apprenticeship process, which is 1800 hours of onsite work and various block release trips to "school" each year.

A jobsite consists of a ratio of 1 journeyman to every 2 apprentices. They dont have labourers or anything. They just have a bunch of guys all at different stages of the apprenticeship process.

1st years are treated like crap
2nd years install pipe and do most tasks
3rd years can do most things and often work unsupervised but are guided by a journeyman
4th years are expected to be as capable as a journeyman but not as knowledgable

most foreign trained electricians are considered 4th years by the apprenticeship board (some will be 3rd or 2nd) and cannot sit the Journeyman exam until they have completed 1800 hours as a 4th year.

Regardless of what other information is out there it is IMPOSSIBLE to become a journeyman electrician BEFORE arriving in Canada.
Yes this was possible in the past and yes this has recently changed.

Basically, you come here as a respected 4th year, get the Canadian experience, sit the exam and away you go.
Its a sensible and straightforward process.

Ive tried to explain that as easily as i can but if you have anymore questions then please do not hesitate to ask

 

[poheZ]

as if undercutting doesnt happen in Canada!
The grass is always greener on the otherside...isnt it?

 

[Romans99]

I havent seen grass for 6 months

 

[Schitz]

I was trying to find out the answers you gave on this thread on Canadian forums for weeks now, with varying answers, so thanks Romans. You have cleared a bit up for me with regards getting trade papers over there.

One person on an Ex-Pats forum, who was supposed to know for a fact, had told me all I had to do was jump on a flight and I would get a job, then after a while the company would sort out the red seal for me. So you can see why I was sceptical lol.

Thanks again.

 

[overskilled]

Hi Romans,
What is the apprenticeship situation like in Saskatchewan at the moment realistically? (I've seen advertisements online from companies looking for apprentices but I'd be interested in hearing your opinion)
I have my Canadian permanent resident card (ergo unrestricted work rights) as my wife is Canadian. We moved here (UK) about 5 years ago so she could study some courses more cheaply than she could in Canada, at the same time I've tried to land an apprenticeship here with no luck. So we are looking at moving back to Canada, most likely either to Alberta or Saskatchewan, however it all depends on work. Ideally I'd like to have a reasonable chance of getting an apprenticeship when we get back.
I'm willing to work hard and realise as you have said that I would start at the bottom.I've done some domestic electrical labouring in Canada but nothing recent or of major length. Oh and I've lived through a prairie winter, with the "joy" of living in -45C with a 20 degree windchill....so I'm aware what I'm getting myself into.
Any thoughts?

 

[Romans99]

Most companies here have a revolving door of apprentices.
They will take anybody on, but will get rid of them very quickly if they arent impressed.
Just look up some companies, call them, send your resume and see what happens.

a first year apprentice got laid off from our place on a monday and by wednesday morning he was working somewhere else.
When big jobs come up these guys recruit like crazy, especially 1st year apprentices.

My company has a lot of work set up for this year but the majority of it is out of town which everybody hates.
The smaller companies only bid for the city jobs so if you dont want to be 5 hours from home in the middle of nowhere then look into the smaller firms.

 

[chrisjh]

Most companies here have a revolving door of apprentices.
They will take anybody on, but will get rid of them very quickly if they arent impressed.
Just look up some companies, call them, send your resume and see what happens.

a first year apprentice got laid off from our place on a monday and by wednesday morning he was working somewhere else.
When big jobs come up these guys recruit like crazy, especially 1st year apprentices.

My company has a lot of work set up for this year but the majority of it is out of town which everybody hates.
The smaller companies only bid for the city jobs so if you dont want to be 5 hours from home in the middle of nowhere then look into the smaller firms.

I see that Electricians are on the list for Canada to get in without a job offer.

What are the chances of getting an Apprenticeship if you are fairly new or only done 2330. Would a Canadian employer take you on or do they have alot to choose from over there?

Can you get a visa for this as I failed to get a visa for Florida even when my Aunt offered me a job at her firm to train me up


Also are they in short supply of people wanting to be an Electrician I wonder?
Is there more work over in Alberta?

 

[draper]

very interesting and informative thread. ive been thinking about canada for years (was one of the main incentives of me going to college and getting the qualifications) so will be keeping an eye on this thread

 

[Romans99]

Get in touch if you need to draper

 

[chrisjh]

Applied to a few apprentice jobs but I don't think they will understand my cv lol. 2 more years to become qualified here I hope electricians is still on the list

 

[idtellyoubut]

Hey Romans Im an experienced electrician looking for an new start/ opportunity. Ive spent more time and money than I care to think about brushing up on courses to make my CV nice and shiney, and contacting employers looking for something new and exciting and am nearly at my wits end with the lack of decent work. Ive no personal commitments here in the UK and was just wondering what would be the best way to go about getting out there and getting working? Ive served a full UK apprenticeship have more than 5 years experience in the trade. Any advice?

 

[greenspark]

One thing I would ask is how do you manage with such low temperatures? Surely it slows everything down!

 

[part270579]

Romans99. I move to BC on Friday. Be good to have a chat with you about how you are finding things in Sask.

When did you pass your IP Redseal? I arranged mine before I decieded to moved. Passed in December 2009 through the ITA of BC. Have you applied for your Industrial Redseal yet?