I am not surprised the italians create mess even if snam is one of the biggest oil contractor company ( in Africa is the number one) but still is italian style...

here they hire only white collar and I can tell you that as they are a blue chip company college in not enough anymore for them and you need a master degree now to get on board


Thanks anyway.

Hi everyone,

I wanna thank Scotian and all the guys who shared their opinions and experience in Alberta
i guess i will introduce myself to everyone

I'm 22 and I live in Montreal , i was going to college to get a B.a in Finance and currently working for a cable company in a call center
i decided to leave everything behind since i hate my job and all i'm getting from this is a student loan
i'm selling all my stuff and moving to Edmonton next month to get my tickets and start working

my initial plan was going to Red Deer next month until i found this thread i guess i was convinced by Scotian's experience to learn a trade and move to Fortmac to work in a camp which seems better in the long term

the thing is i started my driver's licence courses here and it takes 13 months , so i'm not staying an extra year in Montreal just for that which will decrease my chances to get a job especially in Red Deer, it's isolated and most jobs on the rigs require a valid driver's license + car

the second thing is i don't know which trade i should take + lengths etc so i may start hunting for a service rig or any job in Edmonton until i start learning one

and for Scotian do you think i should start in Edmonton or go directly for Fortmac
the reason why i'm not considering going directly to Fortmac is the rent is too expensive up there and without a car + the weather in january it would be too risky to go , if i don't get a job in the first 2 month i'll have a rough time over there

thank you guys again , can't w until i make the move

hey scotian,, been reading the thread for a while.. sick of working stupid jobs here in t.o

i am an electronic technician and i was going through all the links you provided. most of the jobs are for electrical tech but very few for electronic.

any info on this would be appreciated.

(12-01-2012 04:21 PM)Habsguy Wrote:  Hi everyone,

I wanna thank Scotian and all the guys who shared their opinions and experience in Alberta
i guess i will introduce myself to everyone

I'm 22 and I live in Montreal , i was going to college to get a B.a in Finance and currently working for a cable company in a call center
i decided to leave everything behind since i hate my job and all i'm getting from this is a student loan
i'm selling all my stuff and moving to Edmonton next month to get my tickets and start working

my initial plan was going to Red Deer next month until i found this thread i guess i was convinced by Scotian's experience to learn a trade and move to Fortmac to work in a camp which seems better in the long term

the thing is i started my driver's licence courses here and it takes 13 months , so i'm not staying an extra year in Montreal just for that which will decrease my chances to get a job especially in Red Deer, it's isolated and most jobs on the rigs require a valid driver's license + car

the second thing is i don't know which trade i should take + lengths etc so i may start hunting for a service rig or any job in Edmonton until i start learning one

and for Scotian do you think i should start in Edmonton or go directly for Fortmac
the reason why i'm not considering going directly to Fortmac is the rent is too expensive up there and without a car + the weather in january it would be too risky to go , if i don't get a job in the first 2 month i'll have a rough time over there

thank you guys again , can't w until i make the move

You`re a brave man to move to Alberta in January, make sure you wait until the second week of the month before moving out as many people won`t be back from holidays until then. January and February tend to be slower months but its Alberta so I`m sure you`ll find something.

Edmonton would probably be the best place to go since you don`t have a car, although getting your license and buying a car, even an old beater should be your top priorities. Also, get some safety tickets like CSTS and H2S.

Find a cheap place to stay, you can find a bed at the HI hostel for the first week but I would suggest finding a room to rent somewhere near the LRT transit line or a good bus route, you should be able to find something for 400-600 per month.

Get a job, any job, you should be able to find something in the 15-20 an hour range to sustain yourself, depending on your money situation, don`t be too picky. Hopefully you can get a trades related job right away, but if not, just find something that`ll pay the bills.

It will get a lot busier in April and May so maybe you can look for a better, trades related job then. What trade you want to do it up to you but you can`t go wrong with the trades I listed throughout the thread: welder, pipefitter, scaffolder, iron worker, boiler maker, electrician, etc.

Research each trade: look up videos on youtube, read about them on the web, go to the union halls and see what they say.

Good luck and dress warm!

Guys just a reminder of how shitty the roads can be out in Alberta and how any of you who are driving need to slow down, pay attention and drive to the road conditions, and Irishman this includes you and your big shiny Ford truck, don`t let this happen to you!





I`ve probably driven down highway 63 about 100 times in the past few years and have seen my share of carnage, not a pretty site!

(12-01-2012 07:33 PM)t-macs Wrote:  hey scotian,, been reading the thread for a while.. sick of working stupid jobs here in t.o

i am an electronic technician and i was going through all the links you provided. most of the jobs are for electrical tech but very few for electronic.

any info on this would be appreciated.

I don`t know too much about the electronic field, I`m waiting on a reply about it from a friend of mine who is a PLC programmer in Calgary, he`s taking his sweet time though.

There has to be work in Alberta for electronics guys, there`s lots of electronics on rigs, in refineries, etc.

(12-01-2012 10:48 PM)scotian Wrote:  I don`t know too much about the electronic field, I`m waiting on a reply about it from a friend of mine who is a PLC programmer in Calgary, he`s taking his sweet time though.

There has to be work in Alberta for electronics guys, there`s lots of electronics on rigs, in refineries, etc.

Thhnx for the reply man. I've applied 3-4 jobs via manpower . Hope I get a call.

Do they usually help with relocation or anything like that for a technician?

(12-01-2012 10:55 PM)t-macs Wrote:  

(12-01-2012 10:48 PM)scotian Wrote:  I don`t know too much about the electronic field, I`m waiting on a reply about it from a friend of mine who is a PLC programmer in Calgary, he`s taking his sweet time though.

There has to be work in Alberta for electronics guys, there`s lots of electronics on rigs, in refineries, etc.

Thhnx for the reply man. I've applied 3-4 jobs via manpower . Hope I get a call.

Do they usually help with relocation or anything like that for a technician?

Some do, some don`t, depends on how bad they need you, your qualifications and your negotiating skills, its definitely not out of the questions though and I would push for for some relocation assistance if you get to that stage of the interview process.

(12-01-2012 03:19 AM)scotian Wrote:  Good choice in taking the course at Keyano, there's a good chance that you'll be recruited the day you graduate and if not, you'll be in Fort Mac anyway so make sure you do some networking while you're there. Try to meet people at MacDonald Island Park (rec centre) or Syncrude fitness centre (close to Keyano), Oil Barons junior hockey games, taverns, hell even show girls strip club is about a three minute walk from Keyano, you can run into people at all those places who may be able to hook up up with a lead on a good job.

Ya, I heard from a few guys on the oil&gas forum that took the course that there is about a 60% placement rate at the end of it.

Though I am actually taking another flight straight to Calgary right after the interview. The course won't start until maybe April and I'd rather try my luck at securing a fly in/fly out position from Calgary so that I can spend all my days off in Banff (this thread has fueled my greed). It was your earlier comments and Calgary datasheet that inspired this plan.

I hope you see nothing wrong with it, though I have no problem making the 10 hr drive to Mac if nothing is popping in Calgary. Thanks again and I will add meaningful updates as they come.

Hey guys,

Firstly can I say thanks to Scotian and Lux for their replies to my initial post. Iv been working some crazy 15 hour shifts for the last month or so and have had literally no time to check out the forum.

Have been doing some thinking and have decided that I want to follow up on my scaffolding experience once I get to Canada. My tickets are out of date here so does anybody know if I should retake them here or is it better to get a pre work course or apprenticeship course in Alberta?? I will be able to provide proof of hours worked and also a positive written assessment from my previous employer which I hope will come in handy.

My aim is to get an IEC visa as soon as possible in the new year. Applications open sometime early January. Has anybody any experience of applying through this programme? I have heard that there was a massive backlog last year and know of some people who failed on small mistakes on the application form itself. Due to this I would consider using a visa agency to complete my application for me as I really can not afford to miss my chance on this and with the expected backlog and massive numbers applying, I will probably only get one chance. Does anybody know some good agencies? Also, as I am a resident of N. Ireland I can apply through either the British or Irish programmes. A friend has told me that the british driving licence is fully transferable in Canada whereas I would have to resit driving tests if I have an Irish licence. Can anyone shed any light on this? Im leaning towards applying through the british programme as I feel there will be less numbers applying straight away and also for the benefits of the drivers licence.

Thanks in advance and I should have better access to the forum for the next few weeks as work will ease slightly. The IEC open date is rapidly approaching as well so I need to start getting organised for that!!

(12-02-2012 10:06 AM)celticman Wrote:  Hey guys,

Firstly can I say thanks to Scotian and Lux for their replies to my initial post. Iv been working some crazy 15 hour shifts for the last month or so and have had literally no time to check out the forum.

Have been doing some thinking and have decided that I want to follow up on my scaffolding experience once I get to Canada. My tickets are out of date here so does anybody know if I should retake them here or is it better to get a pre work course or apprenticeship course in Alberta?? I will be able to provide proof of hours worked and also a positive written assessment from my previous employer which I hope will come in handy.

My aim is to get an IEC visa as soon as possible in the new year. Applications open sometime early January. Has anybody any experience of applying through this programme? I have heard that there was a massive backlog last year and know of some people who failed on small mistakes on the application form itself. Due to this I would consider using a visa agency to complete my application for me as I really can not afford to miss my chance on this and with the expected backlog and massive numbers applying, I will probably only get one chance. Does anybody know some good agencies? Also, as I am a resident of N. Ireland I can apply through either the British or Irish programmes. A friend has told me that the british driving licence is fully transferable in Canada whereas I would have to resit driving tests if I have an Irish licence. Can anyone shed any light on this? Im leaning towards applying through the british programme as I feel there will be less numbers applying straight away and also for the benefits of the drivers licence.

Thanks in advance and I should have better access to the forum for the next few weeks as work will ease slightly. The IEC open date is rapidly approaching as well so I need to start getting organised for that!!

I'm not too sure about the visa rules but you're right to be concerned about filling out the application correctly, that would be a shitty reason to not get in! Irishman, can you shed some more light on the process?

You may want to check out this website: http://www.swap.ca , they specialize in working holidays and have offices in Ireland and the UK, I think they facilitate the process, for a fee, of course!

About your scaffolding background, this is good to have as its a very in-demand trade. I would contact the northern Alberta carpenter's union (scaffolders belong to it) and see what they have to say: http://www.albertacarpenters.com/

You could also contact some scaffolding companies directly such as Safway: http://www.safway.com/ , Skyway: http://www.skywaycanada.ca/ and Aluma systems: http://www.beis.com/

Since you are an experienced scaffolder and can document this, you may also be eligible for the federal Temporary Foreign Worker program: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskil...ndex.shtml

Also, there is the Alberta provincial nominee skilled worker program that you can check out: http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration...teria.aspx

Anyway, there's a few options out there, do your research and you may even want to consider contacting an immigration lawyer in Canada to point you in the right direction.

(12-02-2012 10:06 AM)celticman Wrote:  Hey guys,

Firstly can I say thanks to Scotian and Lux for their replies to my initial post. Iv been working some crazy 15 hour shifts for the last month or so and have had literally no time to check out the forum.

Have been doing some thinking and have decided that I want to follow up on my scaffolding experience once I get to Canada. My tickets are out of date here so does anybody know if I should retake them here or is it better to get a pre work course or apprenticeship course in Alberta?? I will be able to provide proof of hours worked and also a positive written assessment from my previous employer which I hope will come in handy.

My aim is to get an IEC visa as soon as possible in the new year. Applications open sometime early January. Has anybody any experience of applying through this programme? I have heard that there was a massive backlog last year and know of some people who failed on small mistakes on the application form itself. Due to this I would consider using a visa agency to complete my application for me as I really can not afford to miss my chance on this and with the expected backlog and massive numbers applying, I will probably only get one chance. Does anybody know some good agencies? Also, as I am a resident of N. Ireland I can apply through either the British or Irish programmes. A friend has told me that the british driving licence is fully transferable in Canada whereas I would have to resit driving tests if I have an Irish licence. Can anyone shed any light on this? Im leaning towards applying through the british programme as I feel there will be less numbers applying straight away and also for the benefits of the drivers licence.

Thanks in advance and I should have better access to the forum for the next few weeks as work will ease slightly. The IEC open date is rapidly approaching as well so I need to start getting organised for that!!

Bring a British Licence if you can.
You will have to re-sit if you bring your Irish one.
The IEC forms are pretty straightforward, be sure to get your police clearance cert right now as this can take a few weeks, have everything ready to send off on the first of January.
Don't waste money on an emmigration company, just proof read everything once your finished, if you need any help don't hesitate to ask, I went through it all last year.

As regards work, if you want to GUARANTEE yourself a camp job you need to join one of the Unions.....in your case Local 1325 in Edmonton.
The Union has an online board with a full list of jobs that you can apply for once you meet the requirements, it will state the rotation, the hours, the camp and what tickets are required.
I am with them as a carpenter but scaffolders always have a great choice of jobs to pick from, long hours etc.
Also once in the Union you can do all your safety courses for $10 each......saving yourself hundreds of dollars.
Again I can guide you through the process when you get here.
The Unions have a strong history in Canada and as an Old timer on my crew says "If it wasn't for the Unions we'd all be sleeping in the ditch"

They have also started giving introductory courses for guys with no previous experience in the trades.
Personally speaking the best decision I made in Canada was joining the Union.
I do a 12 on 2 off, 10 hours a day.
Getting $52 per hour with time and a half on Friday and Double time Saturday and Sunday.
Great health, pension and other benefits.
Plus plenty of chances to further you education.
I have had constant work since joining and generally if you are a hard worker your company will try to keep you with them.

Its impossible to get hold of the welding team. The people answering the calls dont know how to answer my questions and the ''specialists'' are never available. I keep getting told to leave a voicemail. I leave voicemails and nobody gets back to me.

Anyway, just wondering: You guys think that it will be easier for me to get recruited as a health and safety specialist if i get some welding experience? im looking to do a level 1 course in welding which runs for 10 weeks. Im just wondering if this practical experience will make it easier for me to get a job as a health and safety inspector.

When i move to Canada, im looking to work as a welder, but in the long run, i wonder if having welding experience also helps you in getting a job as a HSE (i have 6 months experience as a HSE and a post graduation degree).

Cheers

Updates so far:

I've been been working for one month straight, with a forced day off to continue working all the way until Christmas. Our project is a little behind schedule, but we're catching up fast and ramping up the work and personnel.

The weather is now becoming colder, more extreme, the winds are picking up, temperatures after wind chill are dropping to -35 some days. The hours are long, working 12 hours daily for one month does tire out a person. The terrain has become very icy in the area.

I've had my fare share of vehicle horror stories, I won't be too specific but let's just say I've been in ditches, on my roof, and have had to use 4x4 more than once to get out of a sticky situation.

Be careful how you drive guys, roads in Alberta are garbage and they're not very thoroughly cleaned, gravelled or salted.

Be safe.

(12-04-2012 09:47 AM)pitt Wrote:  Its impossible to get hold of the welding team. The people answering the calls dont know how to answer my questions and the ''specialists'' are never available. I keep getting told to leave a voicemail. I leave voicemails and nobody gets back to me.

Anyway, just wondering: You guys think that it will be easier for me to get recruited as a health and safety specialist if i get some welding experience? im looking to do a level 1 course in welding which runs for 10 weeks. Im just wondering if this practical experience will make it easier for me to get a job as a health and safety inspector.

When i move to Canada, im looking to work as a welder, but in the long run, i wonder if having welding experience also helps you in getting a job as a HSE (i have 6 months experience as a HSE and a post graduation degree).

Cheers

If you get here as welder you'll land a job pretty quickly. The 10 month course will help. Getting in HSE will be easier if you've had a trade or experience in the industry.

I finally spoke to the welding team.

They told me that welding is a compulsory trade. In order for me to work in Canada, i will need to have 54 months experience as a welder and that they consider you a welder based on your length of experience and not on your qualifications.So if i was to take a level 1 or level 2 qualification in welding in the UK, they wouldnt even consider it.

They also told me that i can only do an apprenticeship program in welding if i am a canadian resident or if i have a canadian citizenship. They recommended me to do something else when i arrive in Alberta.

I am confused now, welding was probably the only trade i was excited to work.

(12-06-2012 11:34 AM)pitt Wrote:  I finally spoke to the welding team.

They told me that welding is a compulsory trade. In order for me to work in Canada, i will need to have 54 months experience as a welder and that they consider you a welder based on your length of experience and not on your qualifications.So if i was to take a level 1 or level 2 qualification in welding in the UK, they wouldnt even consider it.

They also told me that i can only do an apprenticeship program in welding if i am a canadian resident or if i have a canadian citizenship. They recommended me to do something else when i arrive in Alberta.

I am confused now, welding was probably the only trade i was excited to work.

Pitt that is shitty news but there may be ways around this although you'll have to do some more research and digging.

One possibility would be to get over to Canada and get a job as a welder's helper which is a position that all apprentices begin as and I would recommend anyway before taking any type of welding course to see if you like it. You would obtain hours that your employer could track, you'd also learn the ins and outs of welding.

Do this for a year or two and have the company sponsor you to become a permanent resident and once you get that, you could apply to the apprenticeship board and use your accumulated hours to challenge the second or third year welding block.

Maybe some of the other British guys on here can chip in, I don't know why the Canadian government throws up so many road blocks to young, ambitious people from other countries who want to work and better their lives and contribute to our economy.

On the other hand, you could fly to Mogadishu, find the nearest Canadian consulate or embassy and go in a yell "durka, durka, durka" and claim refugee status, pretend to be completely illiterate and unskilled and especially don't let on that you speak English. They will probably put you on a one way flight directly to Edmonton or Fort Mac and you will have all of the Canadian government assistance you could dream of!

Scotian do you know whats the starting wage for a welder's helper?

(12-06-2012 12:28 PM)pitt Wrote:  Scotian do you know whats the starting wage for a welder's helper?

I'd say it would be in the $20-$25/hour range, depending on the company with plenty of overtime and camp work in a variety of settings; pipeline, refinery maintenance, shut downs, new construction. In short, welder's helper is a pretty good job.

i am in the same boat guy was an apprentice electrician in Ireland for 3 years and 6 months got let go due to the rescission no fault of my own short 6 months to get my Irish cert contacted all the provinces in Canada and the ones that repiled back said without my cert i didn't have a chance and that it was illegal to work in the electrical trade without the proper paperwork which is fair enough. when i asked if i could get my time counted and maybe start as a 4th year apprentice and work to get recognized that way they said the same that i needed to be a per-meant residence. its just so annoying because there's so much work for apprentices in Canada and not a thing for us in Ireland dosnt make sense.i have 5 years experiance in the electrical game in total.if anyone had any advice for me if would be great.. i plan on going to Calgary in march and getting working in the oil sands as a labour as i am use to working long hours and in the industrial game..thanks ross

(12-07-2012 01:33 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  i am in the same boat guy was an apprentice electrician in Ireland for 3 years and 6 months got let go due to the rescission no fault of my own short 6 months to get my Irish cert contacted all the provinces in Canada and the ones that repiled back said without my cert i didn't have a chance and that it was illegal to work in the electrical trade without the proper paperwork which is fair enough. when i asked if i could get my time counted and maybe start as a 4th year apprentice and work to get recognized that way they said the same that i needed to be a per-meant residence. its just so annoying because there's so much work for apprentices in Canada and not a thing for us in Ireland dosnt make sense.i have 5 years experiance in the electrical game in total.if anyone had any advice for me if would be great.. i plan on going to Calgary in march and getting working in the oil sands as a labour as i am use to working long hours and in the industrial game..thanks ross

Well this news isn't very encouraging and seems to confirm what Pitt has found out, that Canada won't recognize your apprentice hours or overseas training. You're probably better off getting those hours in your country and obtaining your full qualifications before heading over, if its possible.

Although its a pain in the ass, I don't want you guys or anyone else reading this to become too discouraged, Canada still needs you and you guys have to think of the big picture. Even if you do come over here and start out at the bottom of the barrel and work as a first year electrical apprentice, its still pretty good. You'll start out at a decent wage, have an ample amount of work (sometimes too much!) and within four years, you'll achieve journeyman status. Hopefully you'll all decide to stay here long term and immigrate to Canada, again, we need hard working people like you guys and us Canadians generally welcome you with open arms.

Again, don't get too discouraged and think of the long term, big picture.

(12-07-2012 04:48 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(12-07-2012 01:33 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  i am in the same boat guy was an apprentice electrician in Ireland for 3 years and 6 months got let go due to the rescission no fault of my own short 6 months to get my Irish cert contacted all the provinces in Canada and the ones that repiled back said without my cert i didn't have a chance and that it was illegal to work in the electrical trade without the proper paperwork which is fair enough. when i asked if i could get my time counted and maybe start as a 4th year apprentice and work to get recognized that way they said the same that i needed to be a per-meant residence. its just so annoying because there's so much work for apprentices in Canada and not a thing for us in Ireland dosnt make sense.i have 5 years experiance in the electrical game in total.if anyone had any advice for me if would be great.. i plan on going to Calgary in march and getting working in the oil sands as a labour as i am use to working long hours and in the industrial game..thanks ross

Well this news isn't very encouraging and seems to confirm what Pitt has found out, that Canada won't recognize your apprentice hours or overseas training. You're probably better off getting those hours in your country and obtaining your full qualifications before heading over, if its possible.

Although its a pain in the ass, I don't want you guys or anyone else reading this to become too discouraged, Canada still needs you and you guys have to think of the big picture. Even if you do come over here and start out at the bottom of the barrel and work as a first year electrical apprentice, its still pretty good. You'll start out at a decent wage, have an ample amount of work (sometimes too much!) and within four years, you'll achieve journeyman status. Hopefully you'll all decide to stay here long term and immigrate to Canada, again, we need hard working people like you guys and us Canadians generally welcome you with open arms.

Again, don't get too discouraged and think of the long term, big picture.

Scotian I dont even know how to thank you man, you have been a great motivation for all of us reading this thread. After the bad news, i was seriously considering doing something else but i think i will be persistent with my move to Canada.

Thanks for all the help once again, even if i dont move there, you were extremely helpful from day one.

(12-07-2012 04:48 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(12-07-2012 01:33 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  i am in the same boat guy was an apprentice electrician in Ireland for 3 years and 6 months got let go due to the rescission no fault of my own short 6 months to get my Irish cert contacted all the provinces in Canada and the ones that repiled back said without my cert i didn't have a chance and that it was illegal to work in the electrical trade without the proper paperwork which is fair enough. when i asked if i could get my time counted and maybe start as a 4th year apprentice and work to get recognized that way they said the same that i needed to be a per-meant residence. its just so annoying because there's so much work for apprentices in Canada and not a thing for us in Ireland dosnt make sense.i have 5 years experiance in the electrical game in total.if anyone had any advice for me if would be great.. i plan on going to Calgary in march and getting working in the oil sands as a labour as i am use to working long hours and in the industrial game..thanks ross

Well this news isn't very encouraging and seems to confirm what Pitt has found out, that Canada won't recognize your apprentice hours or overseas training. You're probably better off getting those hours in your country and obtaining your full qualifications before heading over, if its possible.

Although its a pain in the ass, I don't want you guys or anyone else reading this to become too discouraged, Canada still needs you and you guys have to think of the big picture. Even if you do come over here and start out at the bottom of the barrel and work as a first year electrical apprentice, its still pretty good. You'll start out at a decent wage, have an ample amount of work (sometimes too much!) and within four years, you'll achieve journeyman status. Hopefully you'll all decide to stay here long term and immigrate to Canada, again, we need hard working people like you guys and us Canadians generally welcome you with open arms.

Again, don't get too discouraged and think of the long term, big picture.

Oh i get ya man ya see how i get my cert now is wait. the irish goverment have come up with a skills test to help lads like myself but theres a huge waiting list..so iam gonna make my way over hopefully in march and try get a job in fort mac doing labour work i have read the thaw should be starting round then and work will be picking up? thats my plan anyway arrive in calgary and hit the ball running to all them big comapanys and might pop up to nisku too.hopefully iwill pick up a bit of work

All I hear about the oil sands is labour shortages and all this shit when they make it such a hassle and process for guys to come here and work with experience in their trade. But show up on a boat uninvited and like Scotian said claim refugee status and your in.

for all the qualified guys from Ireland or elsewhere, i suggest you apply for one year work permit and as soon as you get here start applying to become a permanent resident , renew your work permit with your employer to stay for an extra year , and you'll get your PR by the end of your 2nd year and once you become a permanent resident you have the same privileges that a Canadian citizen have + they'll recognize your skills and education
i know a guy from France who barely spoke english when he first came to Alberta he statred from scratch , he got hired as a roughneck in Niksu, he used to get yelled at a lot for making the guys repeat what they say and now he's a permanent resident
so i guess there is no reason to get discouraged after 2 years you'll be either a 3rd year journeyman or permanent resident working in your field
good luck to everyone