(01-04-2013 11:52 AM)Tresdus Wrote:  I'm finishing school in June, should I wait till winter to move to Canada or go straight there?

Depends whether or not you want to go into the drilling side or the oil sands/mining side, the former is busiest during winter while the latter is slower then.

(01-02-2013 12:06 AM)Albertron Wrote:  Quick update about my situation: Spoke with my cousin's husband (let's call him Joe) at our family Christmas party, just got married last month. He's an Irishman from Newfoundland and his whole family is pretty much in Fort Mac. He said he did a 1 year stint there but said the work wasn't for him, more of a white collar guy. His brother and sister have been up there since the mid-80's and pretty much has it made there. Owns a scaffolding company. His family moved there one by one and they're all making big bucks there and owns a lot of property.

Long story short, I told him about how I'm moving to Edmonton, using scotian's blueprint. He immediately shoots down the blueprint and says "No, you're not doing that. I'm gonna have you move in with my sister in Fort Mac and I'll be sure to talk to them to get a job for you." I told him how I'm very grateful that he would consider doing that for me. However, I've also had many experiences where people have burned me, or talked a big game about providing this or that, but never followed through. So when it comes to people telling me that stuff, I take it with a grain of salt. I continue on with planning as though I've never heard that offer.

I get a call a few days ago from Joe. Says he talked to his sister and brother, and they've agreed to let me stay in their basement for a few months while I get on my feet, show me around town, get all my admin stuff taken care of. They would also have a job lined up for me when I get there. He asks, "So I know you're trying to be an electrician, but to start off, what do you wanna do? Scaffolding? Heavy machinery? Drilling? What?" I told him that I'll take anything at this point. He responds, "Well scaffolding makes a ton of money, so I'll see if I can get you started there." His nephew is a foreman at one of those sites so I may end up working under him.

So now he wants me to send a resume, get my safety tickets, and send that stuff to him. Says that 'we need to get the ball rolling' because it takes about a month to get word through their contacts in the industry and to make sure the paperwork and the job is lined up by the time I get there.

As happy as I am about this, I'm still being very cautious about relying on such options. Like I said, I've been burned before, obviously it's never a good experience. Only until it actually follows through, will I be happy about it. Otherwise, I'm taking it with... 2 grains of salt now.

Anyway, just an update. I'll let you guys know what the news is once it comes closer to Feb. Hopefully the guys that talked about heading over there in Feb or the guys that have just discovered this thread will actually follow through. Definitely wanna meet the guys that are already there.

Happy New Years!

Living rent free in the Mac is a pretty sweet deal, especially if you manage to get LOA allowance (may be hard to get as unskilled), I would take it at least for a month or two to get settled and make some money. Hopefully the people are cool and don't drive you crazy, but if they help you get a job then that's great, hopefully you'll be so busy working that you're rarely home.

Scaffolding is a good trade and the guys are almost always busy, every site has scaffolders, they work during new construction, maintenance and shut downs, all year round. It is however one of the more labour intensive trades, you'll be wacking hammers a lot and carry and passing scaffolding pipe. Another thing, scaffolders are known to be some of the tougest and roughest of the tradesmen, just to let you know.

Hey Scotian, you know any Ironworkers? That's my trade here in the states, I'm really looking at getting up there to work. Been doing a lot of research & paperwork.

Hi guys,

Firstly I'd like to thank all the awesome people who're helping so many others and literally changing lives. I read this thread a while ago and it got me really inspired and I have already made the big move to Edmonton.

I am a recent graduate from Quebec and now have a open work permit to work anywhere in Canada.(was an international student and now an international worker) I came here with very limited funds but with high ambitions because of hearing some success stories, firstly I found an aprt to live and then started working the same day at a Donair shop. Also I obtained my first aid and H2S the same week.

Secondly I applied to exchange my license for a class 5, it'd take about two months from now. I also went to Nisku to apply but didn't get any positive response because of a lack of Alberta license. Yesterday I was offered a job as welder apprenticeship and everything went smooth except the fact that you have to be a permanent resident or a citizen to be in a trade .

Right now I am just patiently waiting for my driving license and once that's sorted out I'll get some more certifications and keep on applying for jobs in oilsands/oil rigs. I'm pm'ing some of you guys if you have any clues about some work opportunities better than working at a donair shop in Edmonton and I also won't mind making some new friends.

Again thanks very much for making this thread. I am kinda tired so couldn't write in detail but if anybody has any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Hi guys,

Have been hustling like mad the last few weeks trying to learn as much as i can and trying to get somewhat prepared as i leave Ireland mid march going to set myself up in Calgary. my story is i had been an apprentice electrician in Ireland, In Ireland an apprenticeship is usually 7 standard phases of which 3 are school based and the apprenticeship must equal to 208 weeks or 4 years. my story is i have the 7 phases done but only have 3 and a half years done. so i am short 6 months to get my trade cert. i have searched Ireland the last few months to finish my time but people that are from Ireland no there is just no work here. So i rang a union in Calgary to inquire about maybe starting as a 4th year and working for a year too make the 4 years and then get granted the Journey person card. I was then told to ring AIT which i did 25 euro worth of phone credit later i got chatting to a lady told her my story and within in a minute she told me it would not work as i had to be a permanent residence to continue on in apprenticeship and that basically the 3 and half years i served in Ireland was a waste that it cant be counted in Canada and too real drive the nail in she told that it would be illegal for me to work in the electrical field in alberta so the job i love i cant even do. like i understand i am not qualified yet but surely with me coming on a 2 year visa it would make sense to let me do my 9 months and get qualified that way especially with such a labour shortage.But its not to be i guess i am now looking at the idea of going to Calgary and hustling like mad and getting a job in the oil-sands i feel my electrical experience might help me. I also have applied for a couple of service rig jobs and oil rig as a leasehand i hope to get a start in that next winter. I just want to thank scotian and irishman for all the help and hope to see ye guys in Edmonton or Calgary soon

Scotian and others, I'm looking for a place to rent in Calgary, but I've got no idea where. I have a 5 day course in SAIT but it's only 5 days so even if I'm a million miles away I can still get myself to class somehow. But since I don't know where I'll be working after, I don't know where to look for rent.

Should I just aim for the downtown area or...? Compared to Vancouver, Calgary seems like a small town (looking at the map). I guess it won't hurt to just look for the cheapest place no matter where it's at.

(01-05-2013 10:01 PM)Nima Wrote:  Scotian and others, I'm looking for a place to rent in Calgary, but I've got no idea where. I have a 5 day course in SAIT but it's only 5 days so even if I'm a million miles away I can still get myself to class somehow. But since I don't know where I'll be working after, I don't know where to look for rent.

Should I just aim for the downtown area or...? Compared to Vancouver, Calgary seems like a small town (looking at the map). I guess it won't hurt to just look for the cheapest place no matter where it's at.

Downtown is probably more expensive. The NW and SW are generally speaking the better places to live.

You should be good no matter where you get a place as long as it is close to transit. Obviously if you live too far from the city centre you might have to be very close to the c-train.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/

Under the Route map there is the system map which shows the where the c-train goes. Being close to the c-train is useful, because you can get from on end of the city to the other in 40 minutes, using it.

Hey nima,

What course is it your doing in sait? is it to do with working in the oil sands/rigs? i was looking at courses and saw one nova scotia but at over 4K just a bit to much to start.

(01-06-2013 02:39 AM)Damedius Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 10:01 PM)Nima Wrote:  Scotian and others, I'm looking for a place to rent in Calgary, but I've got no idea where. I have a 5 day course in SAIT but it's only 5 days so even if I'm a million miles away I can still get myself to class somehow. But since I don't know where I'll be working after, I don't know where to look for rent.

Should I just aim for the downtown area or...? Compared to Vancouver, Calgary seems like a small town (looking at the map). I guess it won't hurt to just look for the cheapest place no matter where it's at.

Downtown is probably more expensive. The NW and SW are generally speaking the better places to live.

You should be good no matter where you get a place as long as it is close to transit. Obviously if you live too far from the city centre you might have to be very close to the c-train.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/

Under the Route map there is the system map which shows the where the c-train goes. Being close to the c-train is useful, because you can get from on end of the city to the other in 40 minutes, using it.

awesome, thanks for the info

(01-06-2013 06:02 AM)salmonfella Wrote:  Hey nima,

What course is it your doing in sait? is it to do with working in the oil sands/rigs? i was looking at courses and saw one nova scotia but at over 4K just a bit to much to start.

I will send you a PM

Thanks mate that be great.

After Spending the last 3 hours reading this thread. (scotian thanks so much for sharing many a trade secret) How much i have learned just by reading one thread is amazing. my plan is something similar to Irishman except he went to Edmonton i am going to hit up Calgary for a while. My plan is to stay in a hostel for the first couple of weeks get sorted with my sin number and a mobile phone and open bank account. and also work on picking up part time work just to keep the buck coming in and in the meantime i will be getting my driving license sorted, get my work tickets sorted and start hustling like mad to get a start in the oil sands. Could anyone recommend a good place to live in Calgary for a while? somewhere with access to the c-train as i will be hopefully working in a bar downtown.

From reading the start of this thread the big thaw should be in full swing by then? (mid -April).So Hopefully i will be ready to roll with a labour job hopefully the 14/7 shift or even 1/1 but i no that would be probably very hard to get in on. i plan on doing this till September till i try to get a start in the job that's bringing me to Canada 'the oil rigs'. i really want to get a start as a lease-hand i am fully aware of how dangerous this job can be and how tough the work will be. And that i will probably get slagging and yelled at from my workmates but that's to see if i will last the job. But i don't mind on my first day of work as a young 16 year old apprentice electrician an old man told me. 'leave your feelings at them gates and you will do just fine in this job' and i did so hopefully it will work out for my on the rigs and i plan on being a motor-hand within 12-14 months. also a big thanks to Irishman again for the info on his time on the rigs. I looked forward to meeting some of dudes in Calgary or in e-town. and i cant wait to bang some of these posh Calgary girls i have heard so much about

All the best Ross.

(01-05-2013 10:01 PM)Nima Wrote:  Scotian and others, I'm looking for a place to rent in Calgary, but I've got no idea where. I have a 5 day course in SAIT but it's only 5 days so even if I'm a million miles away I can still get myself to class somehow. But since I don't know where I'll be working after, I don't know where to look for rent.

Should I just aim for the downtown area or...? Compared to Vancouver, Calgary seems like a small town (looking at the map). I guess it won't hurt to just look for the cheapest place no matter where it's at.

Stay west of the Deerfoot Trail, preferably somewhere near a C-train station. I lived in three place in Calgary; Southland, Dalhousie (both near C-train) and Tuxedo, which was within walking distance to SAIT.

East of Deerfoot (NE and Forest Lawn areas) are full of riff-raff and nothing interesting there, Calgary is a huge city area wise, I think its about 60K north to south city limits, so unless you have a car, try to stay somewhere accessible by transit. The older parts of the city and downtown are better anyway because that's where the decent nightlife is although each suburb has a couple of okay pubs.

Guys I wont be able to update this thread as frequently as I usually do because I'm in the middle of an epic bender in Thailand that I'll likely need to go to detox for when I return so I hope you will understand. Have fun freezing your asses off in Hellberta, hahahaha!!!!

(01-07-2013 11:21 AM)salmonfella Wrote:  'leave your feelings at them gates and you will do just fine in this job'

Wise words indeed.

Hope you get where you want to go. Might be seeing you there soon enough myself.

Just a thought: You said you'll take any part time or bar work in Calgary to get some cash in the door; a good plan to be sure. But am guessing you'd get a start easy enough as a construction labourer there with your site experience. I presume Calgary will have plenty of site work like all cities do, especially come Spring. And it probably pays better than bar work (and looks better on your CV too)
Best of luck!

Cheers man yea i am sure it does hopefully i will get some kind of work just to keep me in the buck..
where are you thinking of goin dude? and what kind of work you going at?

(01-08-2013 12:09 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Cheers man yea i am sure it does hopefully i will get some kind of work just to keep me in the buck..
where are you thinking of goin dude? and what kind of work you going at?

Barring any visa cock-ups or delays, am going to Calgary in the Spring to take up my job offer (carpenter). PM me your Canadian mobile when you get one and sure we'll keep in touch.

salmonfella I sent ye a private message there...

I will indeed bud same as myself Iam waiting for the Iec visa to open and when i get granted hopefully i will. i will be going within 2 weeks.

alecks i tryed replying to you but it said you do not have your pm messages set up when i try send it. it said your pm was disabled? i sent it to your email address so check that?

Hey, I was thinking of heading up to Fort Mac for some work. I wanted to get into the Heavy Duty Mechanic side of things but it seems all the pre apprenticeship programs have ridiculous wait lists. The one at BCIT is full until 2015 for example.

Is it possible to get in green in this trade? I do have some background. I am taking the AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) course right now at BCIT just finished the first semester so I know a bit about fixing engines and stuff along those lines. I want to switch over my program to HD mechanic but really don't feel like waiting 2 years to get into a pre apprentice program.

Thanks for the help.

Bit of a ridiculous question, but has to be asked.
Will I survive with this boot in Calgary or will I collapse and die as soon as I step off the plane? I'm getting there at the end of February (March basically) so the worst is probably over by then. Of course a thick pair of wool socks will go with these.

I can't stand those ugly ass Sorel boots.

(01-08-2013 09:10 PM)Living the dream Wrote:  Hey, I was thinking of heading up to Fort Mac for some work. I wanted to get into the Heavy Duty Mechanic side of things but it seems all the pre apprenticeship programs have ridiculous wait lists. The one at BCIT is full until 2015 for example.

Is it possible to get in green in this trade? I do have some background. I am taking the AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) course right now at BCIT just finished the first semester so I know a bit about fixing engines and stuff along those lines. I want to switch over my program to HD mechanic but really don't feel like waiting 2 years to get into a pre apprentice program.

Thanks for the help.

It won't just come to you. You will have to call places that hire Heavy Duty Mechanics and find one that trains green people.

The AME course could be very useful. You might be able to find a job at the airport or at one of the helicopter companies. At the very least should tie you over till you find something else.

(01-09-2013 02:47 AM)Nima Wrote:  Bit of a ridiculous question, but has to be asked.
Will I survive with this boot in Calgary or will I collapse and die as soon as I step off the plane? I'm getting there at the end of February (March basically) so the worst is probably over by then. Of course a thick pair of wool socks will go with these.

I can't stand those ugly ass Sorel boots.

You should be fine for getting around town. I just wear my sneakers and do fine. The key to cold weather is to keep moving. Once you stop you start to freeze.

For work you will probably need something with steel toes I would imagine. You can find a good pair of steel-toed/carbon fiber boots at Marks when you get to Calgary.

(01-08-2013 06:01 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  I will indeed bud same as myself Iam waiting for the Iec visa to open and when i get granted hopefully i will. i will be going within 2 weeks.

alecks i tryed replying to you but it said you do not have your pm messages set up when i try send it. it said your pm was disabled? i sent it to your email address so check that?

ye got it in my email nice one

No bods lad pm me if you need any advice of anything and i will reply by your email.

The opportunities in ND really aren't the same. Some ppl couldn't even find a job after moving there - like any job at all.

Is getting a work visa as a us citizen impossible? I emailed some place about it but no response