Inspiring stuff VP. How much training did you do in E-town before heading out there?

Thanks amigo! Training in Etown? None really all I did was once I got hired two weeks ago is to go through the various safety process books and thats it! This is a very hands on kind of trade and the real training will start once I get out on the field.

Greatly appreciated. Will read up more on this thread in addition to the US based one from Scotian.

You guys inspired me. Going to bcit for an entry trades program in pipefitting next week. Come out second year apprentice after >6months of school. (I can link pages to them if people want) Been browsing some of the adds online for northern Alberta and there seems to be ALOT of pipefitting jobs, most 2nd year apprentice jobs seem to be $35+ an hour which is almost unbelievable!
One thing that scares me... Here in Vancouver we seem to get 5 days of snow a year and here I just read in the newspaper it snowed in Calgary already just yesterday *rolls eyes* part of living in the great white north I suppose, knew it was something i was going to have to deal with eventually.
Thanks for making this thread Scotian. And a big congrats to the guys breaking the bank up north.

Hey buddy don't worry about the snow I made the move to Calgary from Ireland 4 months ago we have snow now about -10 in the mornings but it warms up as the day goes on so you will be fine..

For those of you there already, do you see any opportunities to sell to people there to make extra money on the side?

There are a lot of young people there making a lot of money, so they have a lot of disposable income. A lot of these people are not the brightest, and are not too financially responsible because they don't need to be. What (legal) things can you sell to this crowd?

Also, there are other places like VP mentioned that are small towns and don't have too many imports. What kinds of things can you sell there? Do they have things like iPhones, iPad's etc. Is anything specifically marked up that you can take advantage of?

I think identifying these opportunities may be helpful for those who just got there or are planning to. This can help them make some extra money while they look for a job, or keep them in the green for the first few months.

Fucking awesome chance at grabbing a ton of money VP...pleased for ya man

hell yeah VP, sounds like all's well up there!!!

I've got a bit of data on power-engineering:

Distance ed seems like a very viable option, only if you currently work in a place where you can get 'firing time' ie. work experience. this can be thru volunteering your time or being hired on as a trainee.

Theres 2 parts to 4th class A and B. You can do A with no firing time, but must have minimum 6 months firing time before you can take an inter provincial exam to be certified to work throughout Canada.

Doing 15 hrs of light study every week should have you finishing both A and B in 8 months.

You can start training for whatever class your plant is rated for without having to do the others.

(10-30-2013 01:53 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  hell yeah VP, sounds like all's well up there!!!

I've got a bit of data on power-engineering:

Distance ed seems like a very viable option, only if you currently work in a place where you can get 'firing time' ie. work experience. this can be thru volunteering your time or being hired on as a trainee.

Theres 2 parts to 4th class A and B. You can do A with no firing time, but must have minimum 6 months firing time before you can take an inter provincial exam to be certified to work throughout Canada.

Doing 15 hrs of light study every week should have you finishing both A and B in 8 months.

You can start training for whatever class your plant is rated for without having to do the others.

Man I would never volunteer time in Alberta, even in a shitty economy in a place like Nova Scotia I think that volunteering your time is a bull shit scam, you're moving to Alberta to make money and these oil companies certainly can afford to pay a guy.

Anyway, does this "firing time" have to be in the role of a power engineer trainee, or could it be any trade or position on a job site?

scotian: on 'firing time'

"Please note: Students must have at least 6 months of firing time (practical work experience) prior to writing the interprovincial exam. Any questions about firing time or the interprovincial exam should be directed to the BC Safety Authority at 778-396-2000 or 1-866-566-7233 - http://www.safetyauthority.ca/ . You can write your Government Part A exam once you have completed our Part A without having any firing time. You will need documentation for your firing time as well as the completion letter from BCIT (4th Class Power Engineering courses) to register for your Government final exam for Part B"

A guy at work went this route. He said you had to have the company sign off on all your applicable hours, in the case of my work he started/turned off the boiler, did maintenance, fucked around with the steam stuff etc. He said it was pretty straightforward, but you also need to be aware of your liabilities and the risk you're working with when inexperienced. So to answer your question: experience on a job site/in a trade would be highly beneficial to landing a position where you can get firing time, but firing time must be approved by government agencies and vouched for by your employer.

That being said you can get your "part A" via distance ED at any time. You just need to get work experience and do your part B within 1 year of your registration.

all in all Power engineering doesn't sound as straight forward as I thought it would be. Personally I think I'm just going to move out there, get my foot in the door, network, get experience etc, then depending on how I'm liking what I'm doing I can do the distance ed route and hustle for a trainee spot in some sort of a plant. Maybe I'll hoard all my $$$ then once the busy season is over I can hunker down over next winter to study full time. however, 6 months to a year is not all that bad for the long term payoff, I just can't see myself being stuck where I am for another 6 months minimum.

(10-31-2013 01:23 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Personally I think I'm just going to move out there, get my foot in the door, network, get experience etc,

In all 70 something pages in this thread, if you're gonna take anything away from here, it's this. The only tried, tested and true formula to making it in Alberta.

So I just worked my first field day for well testing--man this shit is LAME. I can understand why Scotian said he would never work in the oil patch, or something to that effect lol. I gotta get into a trade. I can't see myself doing this shit for too long and I have no desire to be a supervisor--those dudes just have too much responsibility that I don't want. Consultants constantly on your ass--the damn consultant at this location is annoying as HELL. And when you're wearing a green hardhat, you are a target lol.

I don't know if I am going to make it through this shit lol--sounds like we could be here for awhile. First couple of hours were cool. I was learning all this shit, and then the other services wanted us to do stuff for them and I'm like, man fuck this lol. Then, we were waiting on the other services to finish their work and time just seemed to DRAG. Then the night guys got in trouble so I couldn't leave until the supervisor was done chewing them out. The only positive so far is I'm in a nice ASS hotel instead of that damn hostel in Edmonton.

(11-01-2013 10:20 PM)Temm Wrote:  So I just worked my first field day for well testing--man this shit is LAME. I can understand why Scotian said he would never work in the oil patch, or something to that effect lol. I gotta get into a trade. I can't see myself doing this shit for too long and I have no desire to be a supervisor--those dudes just have too much responsibility that I don't want. Consultants constantly on your ass--the damn consultant at this location is annoying as HELL. And when you're wearing a green hardhat, you are a target lol.

I don't know if I am going to make it through this shit lol--sounds like we could be here for awhile. First couple of hours were cool. I was learning all this shit, and then the other services wanted us to do stuff for them and I'm like, man fuck this lol. Then, we were waiting on the other services to finish their work and time just seemed to DRAG. Then the night guys got in trouble so I couldn't leave until the supervisor was done chewing them out. The only positive so far is I'm in a nice ASS hotel instead of that damn hostel in Edmonton.

This is not encouraging at all. I have my orientation on Monday for a well testing operator position too. I am thinking of it day and night. It's gonna be in Grande Prairie. No disrespect to any Grande Prarian in here but I've gone to GP once for a job fair and I can't see myself living there for a while. Even the compensation isn't that immaculate. It's gonna be a tough experience. Good thing about it though is based on my understanding you get to learn A LOT about other services from end to end

You Gus are complaining about GP, come check Slave Lake and you'll see what a real shit hole is! Today walked the entire length of town in 30 minutes. It's almost cartoonesque. Only positive about this pace is that people are friendly and apparently girls are very easy. Will test that tomorrow night going to the only bar in town. Yesterday was waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection as I was walking back from the only plaza in town to where I'm staying and this chick starts talking to me. Se was ok nothing to get excited about, a native girl, a 5 so wasn't interested and let her go. But while walking around town I've seen some nice lizards here! Will see how it goes when I go out tomorrow night with my buddy.

(11-01-2013 10:20 PM)Temm Wrote:  So I just worked my first field day for well testing--man this shit is LAME. I can understand why Scotian said he would never work in the oil patch, or something to that effect lol. I gotta get into a trade. I can't see myself doing this shit for too long and I have no desire to be a supervisor--those dudes just have too much responsibility that I don't want. Consultants constantly on your ass--the damn consultant at this location is annoying as HELL. And when you're wearing a green hardhat, you are a target lol.

I don't know if I am going to make it through this shit lol--sounds like we could be here for awhile. First couple of hours were cool. I was learning all this shit, and then the other services wanted us to do stuff for them and I'm like, man fuck this lol. Then, we were waiting on the other services to finish their work and time just seemed to DRAG. Then the night guys got in trouble so I couldn't leave until the supervisor was done chewing them out. The only positive so far is I'm in a nice ASS hotel instead of that damn hostel in Edmonton.

Yeah the Well Testing Supervisor has the most responsibility right behind the consultant, it really sucks. The supervisor knows a lot about all the other services, that's why you are always helping others out, because they don't have a clue about anything else.
As a green hat you are doing all the shit, but i don't care, i knew it will be like this. You are helping everybody out if you don't have anything to do, at least the time goes by fast then.
Currently i'm lucky because the sup and the stud hand (sup working as a hand because we are so short on people) are extremely cool and the day goes by fast joking around. When i get some assholes as co workers maybe it will be the time to quit who knows.
I understand you, i'm also not sure how long i will do it, but at least we got a foot into the industry

Hey Guys,

I've been been a lurker of this forum for a few years and this thread specifically. I'm 25, I've travelled to 25 countries and I love the "Roosh" way of life.

I finally decided to pull the plug on my my life in Vancouver and go to the Sands to make some real money so I can have the life I want! (travel, women etc)

I've been here a week and everything has worked out fantastic. I found a cheap place to live in Loydminster, Alberta, did my H2S Alive course in town ($150) and a week later I am now in a fantastic camp near Fort McMurray. I start work tonight, very excited!

Now I must tell you the company I'm working for is just screaming for guys! They pretty much hired me out of Vancouver as long as I was willing to come here. Did my physical, piss test all in Van. Make the move guys!

You guys can PM me for details if your looking to make the move. I'll let you know how my first shift goes.

(11-02-2013 12:37 AM)MiddleEastern Wrote:  This is not encouraging at all. I have my orientation on Monday for a well testing operator position too. I am thinking of it day and night. It's gonna be in Grande Prairie. No disrespect to any Grande Prarian in here but I've gone to GP once for a job fair and I can't see myself living there for a while. Even the compensation isn't that immaculate. It's gonna be a tough experience. Good thing about it though is based on my understanding you get to learn A LOT about other services from end to end

Man, don't be discouraged. Things may be different with your company. My day today wasn't really that bad, but I still think overall the job is lame.

(11-02-2013 06:24 AM)buko Wrote:  Yeah the Well Testing Supervisor has the most responsibility right behind the consultant, it really sucks. The supervisor knows a lot about all the other services, that's why you are always helping others out, because they don't have a clue about anything else.
As a green hat you are doing all the shit, but i don't care, i knew it will be like this. You are helping everybody out if you don't have anything to do, at least the time goes by fast then.
Currently i'm lucky because the sup and the stud hand (sup working as a hand because we are so short on people) are extremely cool and the day goes by fast joking around. When i get some assholes as co workers maybe it will be the time to quit who knows.
I understand you, i'm also not sure how long i will do it, but at least we got a foot into the industry

Yeah I'm thankful for the opportunity and give it all once called to do something, but what I can't stand is butt kissing. We are out there helping these other groups, which honestly I don't mind cause they are pretty nice people. But we're doing this to "impress" the consultant and save face. I can't stand that kind of shit.

What I don't like is not being able to leave when the shift is over. Like I understand having to debrief the night shift, let them know what you have done and what they need to do, but when the damn consultant decides you can't leave cause other services need you at the well for fuck all, that's just BS.

@Temm The oil industry is not a Monday to Friday 9-5 environment so get used to it. Also get used to delays, and shifts going longer than expected. It is what it is.
First snow fall in Edmonton tonight boys this ones gonna stay. Enjoy

(11-01-2013 10:20 PM)Temm Wrote:  So I just worked my first field day for well testing--man this shit is LAME. I can understand why Scotian said he would never work in the oil patch, or something to that effect lol. I gotta get into a trade. I can't see myself doing this shit for too long and I have no desire to be a supervisor--those dudes just have too much responsibility that I don't want. Consultants constantly on your ass--the damn consultant at this location is annoying as HELL. And when you're wearing a green hardhat, you are a target lol.

I don't know if I am going to make it through this shit lol--sounds like we could be here for awhile. First couple of hours were cool. I was learning all this shit, and then the other services wanted us to do stuff for them and I'm like, man fuck this lol. Then, we were waiting on the other services to finish their work and time just seemed to DRAG. Then the night guys got in trouble so I couldn't leave until the supervisor was done chewing them out. The only positive so far is I'm in a nice ASS hotel instead of that damn hostel in Edmonton.

Yeah this mirrors my experience entirely, and it tipped too much in the 'con' category (plus night shitfs suck, have fun not seeing the sun at all), so I packed and left.

@Temm The oil industry is not a Monday to Friday 9-5 environment so get used to it. Also get used to delays. and shifts going longer than expected. It is what it is.
First snow fall in Edmonton tonight boys this ones gonna stay. Enjoy

(11-03-2013 10:18 AM)Kdog Wrote:  @Temm The oil industry is not a Monday to Friday 9-5 environment so get used to it. Also get used to delays. and shifts going longer than expected. It is what it is.
First snow fall in Edmonton tonight boys this ones gonna stay. Enjoy

I'm not sure if this one will stay, it should be 6° on Wednesday and sunshine.
I have enough of shoveling snow, did it 3 hours today, but the other 9 hours i was sitting in the shack

So after waiting a month for my account to be approved, here is my first post. I'd like to start off with a big thanks to Scotian for creating this awesome thread and all the other regular contributors for sharing their journey and keeping readers like me updated. Needless to say, all the info in the thread has helped and motivated me a lot.

Before almost catching the next flight to Edmonton and booking the hostel, I managed to get into H'burton's operator assistant role. I'm originally from Toronto and will be joining the company next week. I wonder if any of you guys have had experience with them or in a similar role which includes driving and helping the field engineer with testing and tools for the already dug up wells. The first two months are for training in Nisku and the rest of the winter will be on a 15/6 schedule. Only caveat being that instead of an hourly rate (which I’d have preferred to bank some OT), the company is paying us a fixed salary . I can share more details if needed.

As quoted in one of the posts above this position is just to get my foot in the door and see what other opportunities present themselves. I'm coming with a mindset to join trades eventually. I would love to connect with you guys in person when I'm in E-town. Also, wondering if there are any regular meetups for the like minded people from this thread. No more Oilers vs Leafs games for this season tho

(11-06-2013 01:05 PM)TO2AB Wrote:  So after waiting a month for my account to be approved, here is my first post. I'd like to start off with a big thanks to Scotian for creating this awesome thread and all the other regular contributors for sharing their journey and keeping readers like me updated. Needless to say, all the info in the thread has helped and motivated me a lot.

Before almost catching the next flight to Edmonton and booking the hostel, I managed to get into H'burton's operator assistant role. I'm originally from Toronto and will be joining the company next week. I wonder if any of you guys have had experience with them or in a similar role which includes driving and helping the field engineer with testing and tools for the already dug up wells. The first two months are for training in Nisku and the rest of the winter will be on a 15/6 schedule. Only caveat being that instead of an hourly rate (which I’d have preferred to bank some OT), the company is paying us a fixed salary . I can share more details if needed.

As quoted in one of the posts above this position is just to get my foot in the door and see what other opportunities present themselves. I'm coming with a mindset to join trades eventually. I would love to connect with you guys in person when I'm in E-town. Also, wondering if there are any regular meetups for the like minded people from this thread. No more Oilers vs Leafs games for this season tho

Sounds like a good gig with a decent rotation but you're right, the whole salary thing isn't cool because I can almost guarantee you that you'll be working OT and if you're not hourly, you'll probably be working for free. But anyway, you got a decent job, tough it out and see what happens.

For you guys hating the well testing job, again, try to tough it out as best as you can, sounds like it sucks but honestly most of these entry level gigs do suck. Keep focused on your goals, save up as much cash as possible so you can be in a position to try something else out next spring when the busy shut down season starts up in March/April.

I'm actually kind of surprised that so many guys get into the drilling and oil field services side of things, I've basically promoted the trades on here and always said that I'd never do oil field service work because you'll always be working in some remote shit hole, unless you take an office job.

But keep up the good work guys, stay focused and don't smoke crack haha! I have three days left of work this year then I'm fucking off to South America next week, woo hoo!

(11-06-2013 08:39 PM)scotian Wrote:  For you guys hating the well testing job, again, try to tough it out as best as you can, sounds like it sucks but honestly most of these entry level gigs do suck. Keep focused on your goals, save up as much cash as possible so you can be in a position to try something else out next spring when the busy shut down season starts up in March/April.

I'm actually kind of surprised that so many guys get into the drilling and oil field services side of things, I've basically promoted the trades on here and always said that I'd never do oil field service work because you'll always be working in some remote shit hole, unless you take an office job.

But keep up the good work guys, stay focused and don't smoke crack haha! I have three days left of work this year then I'm fucking off to South America next week, woo hoo!

Well Testing isn't that bad actually, just the heavy lifting sucks. Everything else is really interesting for me, i like to collect the data and analyze it, it's something i enjoy.
We don't move the location so often, we stay mostly for a couple of weeks at the same place, that means way less travel than other services or trades. My coworkers are nice. I like the camp life, i don't know many people here so i don't mind staying in camp 24 days instead of in a city. My day rate is quite ok and i save a lot staying in camp.
When you are an easy going guy you will have fun with the others. If you don't like when people are farting, burping, talking about pussies, guns or making sometimes fun about you it's not the right place for you.
Today a guy from the service rig showed me how to slide down the v-door, it's fun.
I'm a foreigner so i can't start an apprenticeship. My goal is to get a PR, then i can do everything i want.

Have fun in South America, i envy you. In the coming days it'll be -20° here, you will sunbath somewhere in Brazil or bang some hot colombianas and we will freeze our asses off