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......

 

[DannyBoy007]

Are you working as a spark out there? If so how easy is it to find work and when do you plan to take your test?

 

[antlewis]

This is a very helpful thread. Thanks for your contributions chaps! I'm thinking of moving to Vancouver when my Mrs qualifies as a Nurse, and I've picked up some useful information on here.

 

[Umeme_ajabu]

So how do i go about getting work in canada?

 

[190ebob]

you quoted the temperature on your jobs, get used to it, after awhile -10 starts to feel great and when spring arrives you know you made it through another winter. Wait until your asked to do a job in a blizzard or freezing rain.

 

[RichSand]

Hi is part 1&2 needed to get out there? And can you just do residential electrical work? As I'm just a DI (Domestic installers qual, 17th ed &2391)

 

[cwho3766]

Im an irish guy and im wondering whats the best way to go about getting work in canada as an electrician.. what is tthe money like out there the work seems interesting

 

[hujh2012]

i have not seen

 

[CIVILElectrics]

what is the pay like in a week for a fully qualified Electrician in Canada

 

[pon1984]

gorgeous work mate!

 

[DannyBoy007]

So to you guy's that have done the red seal exam how do you book the exam? I have been on Red Seal Home / Red Seal but cant find the right link! HELP

 

[spark101]

Anyone want anymore info about life in BC email me. I might even be able to find you a job and help you through the imigration process as we know way

hi,
I was wondering if there was any domestic work out there, i've done my L2 and just completed L3, will complete 2391 and 17th edition in september. But i'm only interested in doing inspection and testing and domestic work. I've had 2 years experience in 1st and 2nd fixing only.

 

[chrisoconnor86]

@Romans99. Hi Romans99, I have noticed that you seem to be the go to man with regards to moving to Canada.
I have just recently returned from Canada, and although I have been pondering moving there, for many years, I have now decided that the time is now to get my self over there.
I am an electrican of 9 years experience. I have my full electricians licence for Britain, I am qualified in the city and guild 17th edition. I also have a HNC in electrical engineering.
My experience includes domestic and commericial wiring, testing and fault finding. I have very good experience in fire alarms i.e. wiring, testing ,fault finding and I am also a qualified commissioning engineer. I also have very good experience with CCTV, intrudrer and access control.
I have a lot of family in Canada, and what I basically need to find out, is what route do I take to gain access to the country. Will I have to sit a test to become certified in the Canadian standards.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards

 

[chrisoconnor86]

@Romans99. Hi Romans99, I have noticed that you seem to be the go to man with regards to moving to Canada.
I have just recently returned from Canada, and although I have been pondering moving there, for many years, I have now decided that the time is now to get my self over there.
I am an electrican of 9 years experience. I have my full electricians licence for Britain, I am qualified in the city and guild 17th edition. I also have a HNC in electrical engineering.
My experience includes domestic and commericial wiring, testing and fault finding. I have very good experience in fire alarms i.e. wiring, testing ,fault finding and I am also a qualified commissioning engineer. I also have very good experience with CCTV, intrudrer and access control.
I have a lot of family in Canada, and what I basically need to find out, is what route do I take to gain access to the country. Will I have to sit a test to become certified in the Canadian standards.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards

 

[Romans99]

Guys

finding work is the same as anywhere else.
Decide where you want to work, look for jobs, go for an interview.

Some provinces require you to work as an apprentice for 12 months before you can sit your journeyman test (red seal)
Some provinces allow you to work as a journeyman for 6 months (on full pay) before you can sit your exam.
some claim that you can sit your exam before coming to Canada, and land there as a fully qualified journeyman
If this is possible then you would have to be absolutely insane to do this unless you are immensely knowledgable with the canadian electric code, wire colours, installing EMT and using North American terminology.

I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of doing your research and being able to hit the ground running.
Do not believe the stories of skilled worker shortages and Canada being "desperate" for tradesmen.
My boss has a stack of CVs on his desk every day, all from young enthusiastic apprentices who will work their balls off in -40 degrees and there is no place for sympathy or finding your feet.

yes Canadians are very friendly etc, but this is a dynamic progressive nation and skilled work is done 100mph and there is absolutely no slacking, taking the P, moaning or turning up hungover and expecting an easy day.

No offence is intended to anybody reading this, but alot of guys are shocked at the work rate here and have this crazy idea that Canadians are sat chilling out drinking coffee and being nice to each other.
You will be paid upwards of $36 per hour and you will work for every cent.
Its not easy money, but the rewards are endless.
bottom line - its a lot harder than some stories would have you believe so be prepared.
I work much harder than i ever had to in the UK.

Guys, please do your research as to where you want to live and then just basically google that provinces immigration websites. They all have them and are they are very detailed.
You will also find they are very very helpful when you call/email them regarding how you can go about this move.

as to this thread -any questions like - "how can i find work" "how do i move to Canada" etc are far too general and have been covered over and over again.
Im the most helpful guy you will ever meet but there is a stage you need to get to yourself before any advice is needed from me.
If you cant do that then you will struggle with this whole thing.
Again, no offence.

Chrisoconnor - send me a message and i can help you with your questions.

cheers.

P.s it was 30 degrees C today and 13 hours of sunshine. same yesterday, same tomorrow, not rained for a couple of months...

 

[Del007]

Great thread, well done Romans99

I'm an Irish electrician (qualified last year but haven't worked at it since due to the economy)

I can get a 2 year working visa for Canada which I should have by around April of next year.

I'm pretty sure I won't be going to Alberta as I don't have enough hours worked to do the red seal exam??

I'm looking at advice on where I should go.

I've friends in Vancouver and Toronto but they are massive cities and expensive to rent so I'm thinking of saskatchewan. Has anyone any experience of here?

I'm single and would be happy to live and work in a camp for 6 months or so but would eventually like to settle down in a large town or small city somewhere.

Cheers for your help