Making the move to Canada

[Monks]

Hey guys, I've always found everyone very helpful on this forum so I thought I might as well ask about this here. Also, before anyone asks, I've tried to contact Romans99 for some advice, but his inbox is full so I can't get hold of him! He's always inundated with questions as well, so this might be a good chance to ask others on this site of their experience. This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision as I have wanted to move to Canada for some time now and I'm now in a position where I can move pretty soon, provided I can get a job. Ideally I would like to move to Vancouver, BC. If anyone can help me out with any of the points and questions I bring up, please feel free to reply or send me a message:

Firstly, does anyone know what the job market is like in Vancouver (or elsewhere in BC for that matter) at the moment? I've looked online and I've seen loads of vacancies, but is it realistic to think I'm going to get a job straight away? I've heard that there is a huge shortage of electricians throughout Canada at the moment, but is this actually true?

Secondly, I would like to move within the next 6 months. Why 6 months? Well, I will have finished my full apprenticeship by then (as well as hopefully getting the 2391 before its scrapped), and the timeframe will allow to sell some of my stuff and tie up any loose ends I have at present that prevent me fom moving right now. I accept that I am still 'green' in comparison to others over there at the moment, so would anyone recommend that I try to get a job as a final year apprentice/ trainee so I can get used to their installations? I've seen some of Romans' pics and I have never done 'EMT containment', and I also have no idea about wiring colours. Also, will I be expected to return to college, considering that I have only served an apprenticeship, or will I just have to attain the 'Red Seal' approval that I've read about?

Thirdly, what should I expect? I'm willing to graft hard as moving to Canada has been a dream of mine for some time now.

I won't ask any questions about the healthcare system or visas, as I'm sure I can get that information from the embassy.

I'd love to get some responses.

Many thanks.

 

[kenny james]

does anyone know what the job market is like in Vancouver (or elsewhere in BC for that matter) at the moment?

worth series linking canada cops on sky channel "current tv" at 9am mon-fri, its a real eye opener its been on for the first week last week, you will not want to work in east vancouver after watching it if you can get a job that is.lol

 

[Monks]

does anyone know what the job market is like in Vancouver (or elsewhere in BC for that matter) at the moment?

worth series linking canada cops on sky channel "current tv" at 9am mon-fri, its a real eye opener its been on for the first week last week, you will not want to work in east vancouver after watching it if you can get a job that is.lol

Cool, I'll make sure I watch that. So far I've found a lot of apartments in central Vancouver that I quite like the look of that seem quite affordable for the average electrician's wage out there. I'm looking at renting to begin with so I'm not tied down, though.

It might benefit me to register with a British expat forum to ask about individual areas if, as you point out, there are some dodgy parts of Vancouver. That said, everywhere seems to have its own bad areas.

Thanks for the advice, though - I'll definitely watch that program, even though it might potentially scare me off! Anyone else have any advice?

 

[SIIVION]

Just go! I have worked in Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands. Each an enriching experience. It never is just about the work , its people and places more importantly.

As far as job hunting goes, a few randon results on google will be the way.

Good luck

 

[Monks]

Just go! I have worked in Spain, Portugal, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands. Each an enriching experience. It never is just about the work , its people and places more importantly.

As far as job hunting goes, a few randon results on google will be the way.

Good luck

Thanks for the encouragement!

Since posting this thread I have done some extensive research into how I can make the move happen. Romans99 has been a HUGE help and has sent me a lot of advice as well.

It seems that, for the time being, I am going to find it hard to move over as a 'skilled worker' as I need a few years experience under my belt after I qualify in a couple of months for my application for a visa/ work permit to be taken seriously. However, I am open to the possibility of retraining in Canada, so that's an avenue I may be able to succeed in sooner, so long as I can get a written offer of employment from a company over there. I am now going to join an expat forum to get some more advice. My mind is made up and I want to move to Canada later this year, but if I am unable to then I plan to move to Germany or Spain in order to get some more paper experience on my CV. I have had enough of England for the time being and I really want to try something different before I regret it, though.

Thanks to everyone who has given me advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[mick87]

hey monks have really been looking into emmigrating to canada aswell have 3years post apprentiship experiance and have worked in aussy and currently working in new zealand but not entirly happy so was thinking of canada, seems to be alot of work there mate

 

[Monks]

hey monks have really been looking into emmigrating to canada aswell have 3years post apprentiship experiance and have worked in aussy and currently working in new zealand but not entirly happy so was thinking of canada, seems to be alot of work there mate

Nice one.

How much experience did you get whilst qualified before you went to Australia/ NZ? Do they insist on a certain amount of years with the 'qualified' badge, or is it a bit more flexible? I'm really hoping I can find a way around this obstacle and, as I say, if it means I have to train again then I will, such is my desire to try something different. I have been pretty lucky, however, to have done quite a big range of work during my apprenticeship, so that might help me out as well.

I wouldn't mind going to NZ for a bit, but Aus really doesn't interest me; far too many spiders and far too much heat for somebody like me! As I've said before, if going to Spain or Germany helps me get some more experience to put on my CV to make my move to Canada a bit easier, then it's something I'm happy to do. I've been promising myself that I'm going to work abroad once I qualify for ages now, so I want to make sure that I do before I look back in a few years and regret that I never.

 

[antlewis]

Hey Monks,

I think Vancouver looks good too. I'm planning to move over myself once my girlfriend has qualified as an OT. A lot of what you're saying about being fed up with the UK resonates with me. Keep us posted on how you get on with your application etc!