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......

 

[Nipex83]

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

Ar u still in Ireland or did u head out to Canada yet for work?

 

[Romans99]

Yes you could support a family on a sparks wage.
April to April I've pulled in $80,500 this year.

 

[Nipex83]

That sounds good..what was your electrical background in the uk before u left.
i might brush up on my emt before I head over...

 

[Romans99]

HNC electrical engineering, NVQ level 3, city and guilds level 3, 17th edition, testing and inspection....
Doesn't mean anything when you are up to your knees in snow wiring with things you've never heard of in colours you aren't used to whilst settling in to a new country, getting a house, car, furniture, setting up your drivers licence, medical care, insurance, mail, utilities, TV etc etc etc
Preparation is EVERYTHING!
It's a life changing event and not just a new job.

 

[stouch]

Hi Roman, Thanks for setting up this thread.
I was looking into moving over a few years back and was given a website of an British firm that does contract work on the oil fields and because they are British you could work with your UK quals .. It was only 6 month stints. I have since lost the details and wondered if you had heard of such companies?
Also I was trying to find the red seal revision books etc and have not had any joy. Where can I get hold of these?

Any help will be awesome.. Thanks again

 

[DannyBoy007]

Hey Stouch, There is very little out there for study, I am doing it now and have just ordered the latest edition of the regs and revision CD. I have bought a course off the internet but it is a quick tip and help course so not really what I wanted. Im afraid if you want to study it is painful and labour intensive.
Where do you live now? and are you going out to live permanently? Because there is a course you can do but you need a permanent residence card, and it is run in Canada.
Let me know how you get on.

Danny

 

[chilliwilly]

Ar u still in Ireland or did u head out to Canada yet for work?

You won't have enough hours to challenge the red seal in any Province. You would have to go as a 2nd year apprentice. That's if you can get over the hurdles and stomach the carrot dangling and jumpers for goal posts that the CIC use.

Good luck with it anyway.

 

[stouch]

Hi mate, I am still in the Uk and I am not looking to move in a hurry. Was more interested in short term contract work from here in Canada if that is still an option. Like I said I was offered it 2 years ago but can't remember the company :-(. I was looking to do the red seal revision so i have a good understanding of the regs etc. I don't know if you can post websites on here but could you email the details of the course you found?
Cheers

Stuart

 

[Romans99]

Stuart

Not sure why you would want short time contract work in Canada.....?

 

[stouch]

Hi Roman,

I was looking at the experience that comes from working in the mining or oil sector without having to commit to a permanent move as I still have commitments here in the UK. The company I was looking at covered living expenses as well as an equivalent salary. It also made it possible to work in Canada without the Red seal qualifications albeit for only 6 months at a time.

 

[DannyBoy007]

Hey stouch did you get the PM I sent you? If so did you look it up?

 

[stouch]

Hey Danny, I did get it thanks.. I replied to your email add...

 

[ovi4]

@ Romans99, im a qualified sparks myself (2356 NVQ3, 2330 L3, 2391, 17th ed. etc.) having 8 years of experience, and will be moving to Canada soon (march. 2014). Because I've always been self-employed, how can i prove the required amount of worked hours to be allowed to take an Red Seal exam? Would some letters from british companies (with the to and from dates) be considered or.....??? What are the other accepted methods of proving the hours ? And, what is the name of the regs book I will have to study from please? I would like to start learning that book and be prepared well before I get there? Many tnx. and best regards Romans99. PS: Great info from you Romans99, I really really appreciate you help here