(08-02-2013 01:02 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(08-01-2013 10:09 PM)Jay_Bird Wrote:  

(08-01-2013 11:34 AM)Lux Interior Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 12:24 PM)Jay_Bird Wrote:  Has anyone here heard of PTI Group?
I am still in the process of getting hooked up with a job with them
and finally got a reply that my resume was sent to the recruiting person.
So its still a waiting game to hear from them.

Yes, they build and run some of the work Camps that people live in while working in the oil sands.

They have a shop in Edmonton where the fabricate the buildings before shipping them up north.
Their carpenters are hired through the Edmonton carpenter's union, not sure about their camp staff.

I see. I'm still debating leaving Ontario to go work washing dishes or cleaning or something on a 3 week on 1 week off shift

Do you have a job lined up with a camp because those aren't usually gigs you debate whether to do or not, camp jobs are some of the hardest ones to get, either you have your name in with the union (http://www.ufcw.ca/) or you know someone. Seriously, its probably easier to become a welder or an electrician than a dish washer.

PTI is a big company but their camps suck and I ended up in the ER in Fort Mac after getting a staph infection from a PTI camp at Suncor Firebag, there was a big scabies outbreak at the camp, which thankfully doesn't exist any more but you can read about it here: http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/2010/04/...31326.html

Yea I know a guy thats in real good with the company you could say.
I've been waiting since like April for my resume to get through and finally got an email from the guy I know saying he sent it to the recruiter person and they will contact me so I don't know when that will be hopefully soon because my hopes of getting out there are going down as I wait.
Anyway he said its a 3 week on 1 off shift and employees can stay at the camp on their week off for like 30 bucks a day or something like that.
So I was planning on doing that untill I saved a bunch and meet people and then find a trade so I can start an apprenticeship.
Thats fucked up about the outbreak glad that doesn't exist anymore lol
I think the trades involved with that company would be carpentry, plumbing and electrical since they build work camps so maybe I could get in doing carpentry or plumbing eventually. I have some basic plumbing knowledge.

Been reading some other forums about the oilsands and rigs, and they offer relatively the same advice but unlike you guys these people all hate their lives and have nothing but negative things to say about the oil and gas industry. They also don't offer any encouragement at all.

(08-01-2013 10:30 PM)MicTyson Wrote:  Irishman I figured I'd ask you one more question. What is the pay cycle like on the rigs? Every week, 2 weeks? And is direct deposit available?

Every company is different but as a leasehand it will most likely be as follows. Your gear will be provided free but taken back out of your first paycheck. After working your first two week rotation you will recieve the money earned a week later. Most likely by direct deposit.

As an MWD it can vary. Since you are sometimes hired as a 'consultant' you charge by the month and then get paid at the end of the next month. If you worked the first week of June you would not see that money till the last day of July. My own company works a bit differently and I get paid every two weeks.

(08-02-2013 04:38 AM)MicTyson Wrote:  but unlike you guys these people all hate their lives and have nothing but negative things to say about the oil and gas industry.

Don't let that stop you. It is what you make it.

The consensus I'm getting everywhere is that consulting work is where it's at. But looking up the pay rates for even leasehands and floorhands looks great. And those negative guys were the ones with failed marriages and drug problems. It's a hard job and a hard life. I think some people sign up thinking a big paycheck is easy money and quickly become disgruntled. They see the paycheck without seeing the work involved and the dedication needed to advance. Everyone says if you can tie your shoes you'll get hired but if your a shitbird you wont get promoted.

I was on this site called Toughnecks and it said they provide you with gear costing about $500 and $260 would be deducted from your first pay. They also listed other things you might want which was great.

Here's the link for everyone in Alberta now, I think they may be hiring http://www.toughnecks.com/index-can.php

I also picked up some sage like advice for anyone wanting to work on the rig.... " DO NOT put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your penis"

(08-02-2013 06:11 AM)MicTyson Wrote:  I also picked up some sage like advice for anyone wanting to work on the rig.... " DO NOT put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your penis"

They're talking about pinch points.

i.e. when you're tripping pipe and you're up on the floor positioning the pipe so that the driller can drill it down to the collar of the pipe in the hole, you don't put your hands underneath the pipe. Sounds obvious enough.

But when you're doing that hundreds of times a day, moving as fast as you can and having the driller cussing the shit out of you if you're moving too slow, it becomes overwhelming at first, and if you're not careful, there goes your fingers or your hand.

Happened to one of the derrickhands I spoke with. Showed me a pic on his phone... sliced right off.

(07-05-2013 05:17 PM)RossTan Wrote:  

(07-05-2013 04:50 PM)HoustontoEdmonton Wrote:  Hey guys, been reading this thread for a long time and this is my first post.

I'm from Houston, TX and I have been a student there for a while. Lots of student loan debt and generally being poor as fuck has taken its toll on me. When I came across this and various other threads I decided I'd roll the dice and come up. I worked a shitty full-time security guard job back in late March (9 bucks an hour!) while going to school in the morning, so I didn't sleep much. Saved up a decent amount although by oil sands standards it wasn't shit. Most of the money went to plane ticket, certifications (WHMIS, CSTS) and the SWAP program that allows me to legally work in Canada. Got my work permit and my SIN and I'm currently in Edmonton. I've been applying to places online/faxing resumes and calling people but I'm starting to get a little confused/discouraged as to how I'm gonna be able to get a camp job. I'm working a temp job right now in Edmonton but that's not what I came up here for. (when I told my boss what I'm doing he was like, "Wow you have balls", seems to be the general reaction most people have)

I have another week before I need to check out of my hostel for at least 7 days and money/time are running out. People are telling me to go to Nisku to apply in person, so I'm gonna try to get out there on Monday or Tues. Dont wanna fuck my temp job up though and that's 8 hrs a day during the week. I feel like I'm really close but there's something I'm missing. Need to get in a camp ASAP I don't care if it's general construction labourer or fucking janitor work, as long as I have camp then I can get my foot in the door.

Apply at NORALTA Lodge in Nisku. http://www.noraltalodge.com/ Cleaners make $260-$300 a day working at the camps. Recommend you read Robert Kiyosaki's books "Unfair Advantage" and "Increasing Your Financial IQ."

Do you know someone making that much? You think they would hire someone without connections because according to scotian you need to know someone for that type of gig? I'm a tropical dude working indoors cleaning is my only shot at surviving northern alberta.

(08-02-2013 06:33 PM)Albertron Wrote:  

(08-02-2013 06:11 AM)MicTyson Wrote:  I also picked up some sage like advice for anyone wanting to work on the rig.... " DO NOT put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your penis"

They're talking about pinch points.

i.e. when you're tripping pipe and you're up on the floor positioning the pipe so that the driller can drill it down to the collar of the pipe in the hole, you don't put your hands underneath the pipe. Sounds obvious enough.

But when you're doing that hundreds of times a day, moving as fast as you can and having the driller cussing the shit out of you if you're moving too slow, it becomes overwhelming at first, and if you're not careful, there goes your fingers or your hand.

Happened to one of the derrickhands I spoke with. Showed me a pic on his phone... sliced right off.

That sucks. Did he get them reattached or is it a once they're gone they're gone kind of amputation? It's so easy to become complacent when you get into that "mindless" zone where you've done something 1000 times and it becomes natural body reflex.

I found this website with info on Rig jobs. It clarified some things for me I hope it does for all the other clueless people http://jaide.hubpages.com/hub/Rig-Life

(08-02-2013 08:33 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  Do you know someone making that much? You think they would hire someone without connections because according to scotian you need to know someone for that type of gig? I'm a tropical dude working indoors cleaning is my only shot at surviving northern alberta.

Yes, I do, or I wouldn't mention it. You can make as much as Cleaners in a camp working as a Mover with Quality Move Management in the summer. If you're a physical person ( strong) I recommend landscaping and/or working with QMM.

(07-31-2013 07:00 PM)Habsguy Wrote:  for those interested to work in the rigs i strongly suggest reading this thread it has more than 200 pages
a lot of good info about the work conditions , positions , salaries, time of the year to make the move and tons of success and horror stories
it started on 2004 and still going to this day
http://www.reality-check.ca/threads/3956...h-Columbia
and yes i've read 214 pages i wouldn't make such a decision without doing my homework
it was the first thread that i read about work in the oil and gas industry in alberta

GREAT FIND!!!!

Irish Man what is the company you MWD for? All the companies that do MWD are big on the market and they don't hire people on the spot, I am talking about Halliburton, Weatherford, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes,.. When I went their they said apply online! How did you score an interview for that position on the spot?

(08-03-2013 06:41 PM)MiddleEastern Wrote:  Irish Man what is the company you MWD for?

Not a chance I am writing that up here haha.

And ya I applied online and got a call back for an interview.

(08-03-2013 06:51 PM)Irishman Wrote:  

(08-03-2013 06:41 PM)MiddleEastern Wrote:  Irish Man what is the company you MWD for?

Not a chance I am writing that up here haha.

And ya I applied online and got a call back for an interview.

Good call Irishman, I've never actually revealed exactly what I do although I've dropped a few hints throughout this thread and in other threads on the forum, but there's no way I'd post it on here.

Google "how to find a job in the oil sands" and see what comes up and you'll understand why.

(08-03-2013 09:35 PM)scotian Wrote:  Google "how to find a job in the oil sands" and see what comes up and you'll understand why.

Thats crazy. I guess it does have over 250,000 views.

Maybe its time we start putting out some counterintel about ourselves...

I am 6''7', with one wooden leg and I usually have a parrot on my shoulder. I also work for Mickey Mouse Drilling based out of Red Deer.

(08-02-2013 04:38 AM)MicTyson Wrote:  Been reading some other forums about the oilsands and rigs, and they offer relatively the same advice but unlike you guys these people all hate their lives and have nothing but negative things to say about the oil and gas industry. They also don't offer any encouragement at all.

http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-9826-p...#pid450530

Because working on the rigs sucks. It's why the pay is so high. Many Canadians aren't interested in moving to Alberta. While there's a considerable movement here from other provinces, considering Canada has a population of 35 million, Alberta's 3.5m is still miniscule in comparison.

Most of the movement here is of Europeans and Americans desperate for income (and in the past 10 years Canadians from Eastern Canada's former industrial towns), many of Europe's economies are shit. Broke in Spain or Britain, or overworked and underpaid in Germany. The oil sands is appealing.

Also many Canadian immigrants who don't have deep roots in other parts of the country are also moving here.

If you're living in Toronto, Vancouver, or even Montreal you can still make a good living and have a nice quality of life. You won't make 6 figures in 6 months, but you'll have access to higher quality women, bigger, better cities, more (non outdoors) activities and better weather.

Moving here is a good idea if you're like me, revel in a challenge and like an adventure, and got bored of the corporate lifestyle. Or of course if you come from a broke ass country in Europe.

As a Canadian citizen, it's better to see what you want out of life before you make a move. Can you live with lower wages, access to quality pussy in a centrally located part of town, access to a larger pool of people, all throughout the year? Or do you prefer to make tons of cash in short bursts, then possibly sit on your ass for a few months (the seasonal nature of work), and travel or work part time filler jobs? Some people revel in the former, some others prefer the latter. It's all subjective.

If you make the move, get a trade, don't be a roughneck or a labourer in the long run without a plan or you'll be 50 and hate your life. And be missing fingers.

My honest 2c.

Pretty much anyone with a degree in the STEM fields is welcome in Alberta, particularly, for the oil sands. There's a 37 week program right now for new immigrants with science degrees and math degrees, and engineering degrees to become 4th Class Power Engineers. Starting wage 80K-100K

http://ogtp.ca/ <---BAM! If you are wanting to do this (4th Class Power Engineer), you can do it online via SAIT. Steam time not included when you do it online. For that, (Steam time) you'll enroll in the campus program at SAIT or NAIT.

Hey folks, this is very significant for those in the TRADES and wanting to get into the trades!
What does this mean? It means pipeline jobs for folks who don't want to move to Alberta. This is gonna be huge! Simultaneous construction in each Canadian Province this pipeline goes through! They definitely are gonna be ramping up on recruiting Apprentices, Labourers, and Journeymen to get on this. Welding, Pipefitting, heavy equipment operators, q.c. inspectors, caterers, truck drivers, fabrication shops will probably be busy on this too.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/0...=3c3c-dd93

"TransCanada Corp gave the green light to building a $12-billion oil pipeline to ship Canada’s Western oil sands crude to refiners on its east coast and beyond, scaling up the project as its U.S.-bound Keystone XL line remains stalled in Washington."

(08-04-2013 02:23 PM)DjembaDjemba Wrote:  

(08-02-2013 04:38 AM)MicTyson Wrote:  Been reading some other forums about the oilsands and rigs, and they offer relatively the same advice but unlike you guys these people all hate their lives and have nothing but negative things to say about the oil and gas industry. They also don't offer any encouragement at all.

http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-9826-p...#pid450530

Because working on the rigs sucks. It's why the pay is so high. Many Canadians aren't interested in moving to Alberta. While there's a considerable movement here from other provinces, considering Canada has a population of 35 million, Alberta's 3.5m is still miniscule in comparison.

Most of the movement here is of Europeans and Americans desperate for income (and in the past 10 years Canadians from Eastern Canada's former industrial towns), many of Europe's economies are shit. Broke in Spain or Britain, or overworked and underpaid in Germany. The oil sands is appealing.

Also many Canadian immigrants who don't have deep roots in other parts of the country are also moving here.

If you're living in Toronto, Vancouver, or even Montreal you can still make a good living and have a nice quality of life. You won't make 6 figures in 6 months, but you'll have access to higher quality women, bigger, better cities, more (non outdoors) activities and better weather.

Moving here is a good idea if you're like me, revel in a challenge and like an adventure, and got bored of the corporate lifestyle. Or of course if you come from a broke ass country in Europe.

As a Canadian citizen, it's better to see what you want out of life before you make a move. Can you live with lower wages, access to quality pussy in a centrally located part of town, access to a larger pool of people, all throughout the year? Or do you prefer to make tons of cash in short bursts, then possibly sit on your ass for a few months (the seasonal nature of work), and travel or work part time filler jobs? Some people revel in the former, some others prefer the latter. It's all subjective.

If you make the move, get a trade, don't be a roughneck or a labourer in the long run without a plan or you'll be 50 and hate your life. And be missing fingers.

My honest 2c.

Well I've never been a part of the corporate lifestyle, and have been applying here for trade work for the last 3 years with no replies. There are literally no jobs where I am right now and don't really want to start out busting my ass for $15 an hour and driving an hour and a half to and from work. At least with the rigs I can bank some serious cash and take some courses in my off-time to make me more attractive to the higher ups.

I've read about the pitfalls and downsides of the work, but I figure a shot at making a decent wage and being able to find work during the downtime far outweighs where I am right now, which is pretty much begging for work and eating every other day.

(08-04-2013 10:58 PM)RossTan Wrote:  Hey folks, this is very significant for those in the TRADES and wanting to get into the trades!
What does this mean? It means pipeline jobs for folks who don't want to move to Alberta. This is gonna be huge! Simultaneous construction in each Canadian Province this pipeline goes through! They definitely are gonna be ramping up on recruiting Apprentices, Labourers, and Journeymen to get on this. Welding, Pipefitting, heavy equipment operators, q.c. inspectors, caterers, truck drivers, fabrication shops will probably be busy on this too.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/0...=3c3c-dd93

"TransCanada Corp gave the green light to building a $12-billion oil pipeline to ship Canada’s Western oil sands crude to refiners on its east coast and beyond, scaling up the project as its U.S.-bound Keystone XL line remains stalled in Washington."

About time.

I was starting to worry that the Americans had been trying to prevent us from developing our resources. Bit of a conspiracy theory, but I could think of no other reason that one of the proposed 3 pipelines wasn't started 5 or 6 years ago.

It was starting to get a little worrisome because it was obvious that it was starting to affect the amount of work in Alberta.

(08-04-2013 10:58 PM)RossTan Wrote:  Hey folks, this is very significant for those in the TRADES and wanting to get into the trades!
What does this mean? It means pipeline jobs for folks who don't want to move to Alberta. This is gonna be huge! Simultaneous construction in each Canadian Province this pipeline goes through! They definitely are gonna be ramping up on recruiting Apprentices, Labourers, and Journeymen to get on this. Welding, Pipefitting, heavy equipment operators, q.c. inspectors, caterers, truck drivers, fabrication shops will probably be busy on this too.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/0...=3c3c-dd93

"TransCanada Corp gave the green light to building a $12-billion oil pipeline to ship Canada’s Western oil sands crude to refiners on its east coast and beyond, scaling up the project as its U.S.-bound Keystone XL line remains stalled in Washington."

This is huge news and a great project for Canada, I'm actually looking at buying a house in Saint John, New Brunswick as an investment, I'm going to check some out when I go back home in a month or so to visit my family in Halifax. You can get a decent house in Saint John for $120-150K and with this Alberta oil flowing down east, there'll be lots of construction jobs during the refinery expansion down there, they may even build a new refinery, Irving was going to build one in partnership with oil giant BP a few years ago but they mothballed it.

One of the biggest concerns for projects like this will be the skilled labour shortage, there's so much work going on out west and with things picking up down east, employers will be scrambling for skilled hands and likely paying higher wages and adding incentives, as they're already doing now.

For any of you guys still thinking about making the move to Alberta to get into resource work, either a skilled trade or on the rigs, its still a great time to do so and you can end up with a great career anywhere in Canada.

Here's some jobs, outside of the oil sands that are on the go now:

British Colombia: The small coastal town of Kitimat is blowing up big time with LNG projects, oil terminals and the expansion of an existing aluminum smelter, tons of work there: http://www.kitimat.ca/EN/main/business/i...jects.html

Alberta: This is self explanatory, tons of work there.

Saskatchewan: I'm currently working in the mini-Fort Mac boom town of Estevan, tons of work here, they have coal mines, a huge coal fired electrical plant (which is also the site of the largest carbon capture project in the world, currently being built: http://www.saskpower.com/our-power-futur...n-project/ , they also have a lot of rig work here so the town is full of oil field service guys such as frackers.

Ontario/Quebec: Some of mine work here and pulp mills but things are bad in Ontario, as I've noticed over the past couple of years, there's lots of guys moving out west because there's not a lot going on in places like Toronto and the rest of southern Ontario. Quebec is ramping up on their Plan du Nord, but you'd have to speak French to work there.

New Brunswick: As I mentioned this refinery expansion and pipeline will bring a lot of work to Saint John, especially if they build another refinery (my fingers are crossed!).

Nova Scotia: Not a lot going on there yet, most of my friends are still working out of province but there's two big construction jobs coming up, Muskrat Falls and the a 30 year, $25 billion dollar ship building contract that the Halifax ship yard was awarded: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/poli...cle558147/

Newfoundland: This place is busy as hell right now, lots going on with the Long Harbour nickel processing plant, which is being built right now and they have tons of offshore oil work there, Statoil just found a pretty big oil field there a few weeks ago: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...e-619.html

Anyway, there's work everywhere in Canada in a variety of resource related industries, Alberta is still the best bet for a guy to move to and start his career, but I wanted to show how there's opportunities elsewhere if you ever get sick of living on the Prairies, which I am, fuck Estevan, haha!

I like the sound of that scotian I am in Calgary ATM I like it but camp work is really where I wanna be at I am waiting on my Ait clearance before I can get in with the big company's hope yer all keeping well and hopefully I will meet some of ye down the line.

I've read the majority of this thread, and the posts by Irishman, Kick, and scotian, and the other guys who've pursued these opportunities have been incredibly informative and inspiring.

I was wondering if I could ask for opinions regarding my situation. I'm 20 years-old and an undergrad studying electrical engineering (Bachelor's) in the U.S. at a top 20 engineering university, currently going to be a junior in the fall. I've interned over the summers at Intel Corporation for three years, and have a fairly certain shot at full employment there once I've graduated with an entry level salary of around $60k.

Intel's a great company, but I know that Highly Compensated employees here hit a ceiling at around $100k (and this is after they've received their Master's). It helps its employees get their MBAs, Master's degrees after they've worked for several years and if managers approve, so the salary potential is $150,000. It's got a great sabbatical program (two months' worth of paid vacation for every seven years).

The possibilities of work at the oil sands has been dogging my thoughts for weeks now, yet I'm heavily invested in completing my degree. I'm halfway there, my family's invested a lot of our finances into getting me to this point. I've invested so much myself in studying and mastering what I've learned.

Do you know of opportunities in electrical engineering? Whether you need prior experience or other qualifications and what areas? Does the potential in rising through the ranks as an engineer compare favorably to the track of being a tradesman?

(08-05-2013 02:16 PM)CactusCat589 Wrote:  Intel's a great company, but I know that Highly Compensated employees here hit a ceiling at around $100k (and this is after they've received their Master's). It helps its employees get their MBAs, Master's degrees after they've worked for several years and if managers approve, so the salary potential is $150,000. It's got a great sabbatical program (two months' worth of paid vacation for every seven years).

My opinion. Think bigger. Earned income is the MOST taxed income. A job is a temporary thing while you work on building other sources of passive income.

At 20 think BIGGER. Read the book "Why 'A' Students Work For 'C' Students, and 'B' Students Work for the Government." By Robert Kiyosaki. Also read "Unfair Advantage." Same author. Perspective will definitely change on how to view a job and earn money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5m6YBDumFY

Hey guys, first I'd like to say Thank you Scotian! I stumbled across this site 16 months ago while living a depressing life in Nova Scotia and working as a nurse. I took Scotians advice, moved to Alberta, Calgary to be exact, and took a trade at Sait. Now I'm sitting in a camp in Wainwright Alberta clearing $2700 a week with some OT and i currently have no tickets and am still considered a trainee. Please don't ask me what I do but up here it doesn't matter what trade you're in. Pick one and go with it. I managed to get my doctor to say i was burnt out from work with depression thrown into the mix and that i would benefit from a new career and training. That allowed me to get EI to pay for my course at Sait. I got lucky! But at this rate even if you have to pay for it yourself, one month of employment should take care of that. I currently still live in Calgary. Actually my girl is living in the Condo we rent but a company out of Edmonton hired me and has paid for all travel thus far. Its not easy, takes time, dedication and for some, cash but man is it ever worth it. And hey, no more wiping asses for me!!! Thanks Scotian!!!

(08-05-2013 02:16 PM)CactusCat589 Wrote:  I've read the majority of this thread, and the posts by Irishman, Kick, and scotian, and the other guys who've pursued these opportunities have been incredibly informative and inspiring.

I was wondering if I could ask for opinions regarding my situation. I'm 20 years-old and an undergrad studying electrical engineering (Bachelor's) in the U.S. at a top 20 engineering university, currently going to be a junior in the fall. I've interned over the summers at Intel Corporation for three years, and have a fairly certain shot at full employment there once I've graduated with an entry level salary of around $60k.

Intel's a great company, but I know that Highly Compensated employees here hit a ceiling at around $100k (and this is after they've received their Master's). It helps its employees get their MBAs, Master's degrees after they've worked for several years and if managers approve, so the salary potential is $150,000. It's got a great sabbatical program (two months' worth of paid vacation for every seven years).

The possibilities of work at the oil sands has been dogging my thoughts for weeks now, yet I'm heavily invested in completing my degree. I'm halfway there, my family's invested a lot of our finances into getting me to this point. I've invested so much myself in studying and mastering what I've learned.

Do you know of opportunities in electrical engineering? Whether you need prior experience or other qualifications and what areas? Does the potential in rising through the ranks as an engineer compare favorably to the track of being a tradesman?

Read this: http://www.swap.ca/in_eng/us_index.aspx