Celticman. Have you looked if you can manage to get a Temporary Work Permit?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-...igible.asp

This is the only way for me to go. For some strange reason my country seem to be one of the few EU countries that doesn't have a IEC agreement with Canada.

(05-24-2014 12:38 PM)komatiite Wrote:  There are so many new forum posters from the USA who ask how to break into the oil sands, but honestly cannot think of any posters who actually made the move. I don't read the forum too much so probably missed a few. But instead of having people pester Scotian with PMs, maybe if you are American and made the move to the oil sands, post up here with a brief comment. I am interested to hear on how the transition for Americans is, especially after seeing some successes from our European brethren thus far... Is the immigration process way too fucked up for Americans? I assume it would be easy for a guy with 10 years experience as an engineer for Shell in Houston to make the move into Canada, but what about younger guys or folks with little oil experience?

I heard one story about a american guy from the hi hostel in edmonton. Quick rundown, immigrated to canada through a degree, spent almost 2 weeks cold calling every company in ft mac. In the last few days gets hired I think as a laborer, packs his bags and heads up to the big dirty.

The question about a experienced engineer from shell in houston is irrelevant. If you've got 10 yrs in the industry as a engineer for shell in houston there would no way in hell you'd move to alberta. Houston is the center of the universe for Oil and gas, engineers from alberta probably would want to move TO houston.

Can't help where you get transferred!

(05-27-2014 09:12 AM)alecks Wrote:  Im irish.going to edmonton on thursday and i have a 2 year working holiday visa,have a friend over there working in HVAC/sheet metal work fabrication,going to get into that,then wel see what happens.

Thanks scotian,I wouldnt have made the move other wise!

alecks
by any is that dennis johnson company that were recruiting on the irish in edmonton page . Heading to edmonton in sept

I've been looking around because I remember seeing a thread/post about working offshore on boats for good money. If anyone knows about it/the post I might be talking about let me know, I can't seem to find it!

(05-30-2014 01:01 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  I've been looking around because I remember seeing a thread/post about working offshore on boats for good money. If anyone knows about it/the post I might be talking about let me know, I can't seem to find it!

Do you mean the "6 months at sea in the merchant marines" thread?

(05-30-2014 12:19 PM)Irishbigbucks Wrote:  

(05-27-2014 09:12 AM)alecks Wrote:  Im irish.going to edmonton on thursday and i have a 2 year working holiday visa,have a friend over there working in HVAC/sheet metal work fabrication,going to get into that,then wel see what happens.

Thanks scotian,I wouldnt have made the move other wise!

alecks
by any is that dennis johnson company that were recruiting on the irish in edmonton page . Heading to edmonton in sept

Im not sure mate, I only arrived yesterday and im looking for work myself. Il have to get back to ye on that one

Irish Tower Crane operator here,finally got my journeyman status after a shitload of back and forth with the Albertan certifiying body due to the fact that most of my former employers have gone bust here in Ireland and so couldn't be contacted to verify my experience.Am planning on heading over(am still in Ireland at the moment) to look for work in approx 3 months and am trying to formulate a plan.
Can anybody point me in the right direction for potential employers(have checked out the union but there seems to be fuck all happening there with Tower Cranes)-I'm talking about agencies who supply Tower Crane Operators or the like?There doesn't seem to be that many Tower cranes in the tarsands so I'm thinking I need to be looking in the cities like Edmonton/Calgary or where ever.
I'm wide open to suggestions here so don't be shy.

I have seen very little tower cranes from where I have been, but what are used constantly here are picker trucks (big tractor trailers with cranes built on the back of them) that are used to load industrial equipment onto a trailer to be hauled to work sites etc. I have also frequently seen picker trucks used for construction. Its essentially just a mobile crane. Picker truck operators are in big demand right now. But you'd need your class 1 licence since you will be driving the truck as well as operating the crane. But if you know your way around a crane, an employer would gladly pay for your class 1 training. Look into oilfield hauling companies if you're interested.

@VP Lloyd isn't too bad, it is pretty nice in summer. I'm so busy with work and can't get out much but honestly I've been to many worse towns. Personally I love people from Saskatchewan, they are consistently pretty cool and genuine compared to some of these other Canadians who are either slaves to the rat race or whiny lazy lefties. Let me know if you get your ass shipped up here and we can meet up... Hopefully by then I will have a better idea on what to expect.

The field engineers in Alberta, after OT and uplift, will be making a good bit more than engineers planning and running the show from a Houston office, even for the big boys at Shell. Not to mention the 3-1 rotation and lack of living expenses that come with working in the field.

Aside from super senior positions, the field will pay more.

As for the young Americans with little/no experience, you should be focusing on the US markets. I can only speak for the larger Canadian projects but I have not seen visa sponsoring for a unskilled workers. Even the visa sponsoring for skilled workers has been very very minimal.

(05-29-2014 10:30 PM)Jack Of All Trades Wrote:  

(05-24-2014 12:38 PM)komatiite Wrote:  There are so many new forum posters from the USA who ask how to break into the oil sands, but honestly cannot think of any posters who actually made the move. I don't read the forum too much so probably missed a few. But instead of having people pester Scotian with PMs, maybe if you are American and made the move to the oil sands, post up here with a brief comment. I am interested to hear on how the transition for Americans is, especially after seeing some successes from our European brethren thus far... Is the immigration process way too fucked up for Americans? I assume it would be easy for a guy with 10 years experience as an engineer for Shell in Houston to make the move into Canada, but what about younger guys or folks with little oil experience?

I heard one story about a american guy from the hi hostel in edmonton. Quick rundown, immigrated to canada through a degree, spent almost 2 weeks cold calling every company in ft mac. In the last few days gets hired I think as a laborer, packs his bags and heads up to the big dirty.

The question about a experienced engineer from shell in houston is irrelevant. If you've got 10 yrs in the industry as a engineer for shell in houston there would no way in hell you'd move to alberta. Houston is the center of the universe for Oil and gas, engineers from alberta probably would want to move TO houston.

Fucking office engineers have no clue what they are talking about. Working at a gas plant at the moment, this one women at the headoffice wants us to use an advanced method in the trade which basically means we'd have to rebuild the whole plant because everything is from 1980 and doesn't live up to that method.

Put a change order together for said methodology in and get it to the PM...you'll see that office engineer change her tune rather quickly.

(06-02-2014 09:18 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  Fucking office engineers have no clue what they are talking about. Working at a gas plant at the moment, this one women at the headoffice wants us to use an advanced method in the trade which basically means we'd have to rebuild the whole plant because everything is from 1980 and doesn't live up to that method.

I'm currently enrolled for a Millright Foundation program for September. Is anyone aware of the current opportunities for Millwright apprentices in Alberta?

Hey People,

its going to be my first post here..

First, big props for all contributors, but especially the ones who work here- thats men in action, you always get this supportive environment when there's only men. Great work everyone!

@ssvle. You're never too old. You can probably stretch some of the truth seeing as how you're from Germany, companies are highly unlikely to check.

(06-03-2014 04:49 PM)Mike0060 Wrote:  I'm currently enrolled for a Millright Foundation program for September. Is anyone aware of the current opportunities for Millwright apprentices in Alberta?

Go to indeed.ca and type in millwright apprentice in alberta. The results will tell you the rest.

Can anyone expand on medical jobs of the oil sands companies?

I used the search function and didn't find much in details on how many or how they employ paramedic qualified workers in these companies.

I'm not picky on location or organization. Living way up north, somewhat in the wild and in Canada with good pay has my interests.

There are first aid companies here, i believe first level emt is a minimum. They give you a pick up truck with a camper on the back full of first aid/emt gear and you sit at a worksite. If you're way out in the bush, you hang out in camp all day and do a routine safety patrol once in a while. If an injury happens on site, you're the first responder on scene. I think you're also responsible for establishing a clear landing zone for helicopters so they can fly out seriously injured workers.

I can't remember the names of any of the companies, but you should be making no less than mid $20s an hour.

Okay so im in edmonton now but im in a bit of a strange situation work wise. (Im staying in a friends house so thats sorted). Basically im on a 2 year visa and my friend is also one year into his 2 year visa. Hes working as a sheet metal worker/hvac and has been since he arrived. He had no previous experience but is getting along quite well. Hes an apprentice

He says he can get me into it no problem but he says his company is a bit shitty. I had welding in mind but a lot of the dudes here are advising me against it due to health problems. But honestly I will do anything to get the ball rolling but ill need a trade,something that looks good to immigration if I decide to apply for residency. What companys should I apply to that will hire me without experience? Il travel to fort mcmurray if I have to. I didnt come all the way here to sit on my arse and party. Im sure il be well able to work at anything im a big enough guy

^ You wouldn't be allowed to do welding on that visa. Its part of the trades which IEC visa holders are not able to enter.

I texted you a few minutes ago. Give me a call when it suits.

(06-04-2014 08:46 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  There are first aid companies here, i believe first level emt is a minimum. They give you a pick up truck with a camper on the back full of first aid/emt gear and you sit at a worksite. If you're way out in the bush, you hang out in camp all day and do a routine safety patrol once in a while. If an injury happens on site, you're the first responder on scene. I think you're also responsible for establishing a clear landing zone for helicopters so they can fly out seriously injured workers.

I can't remember the names of any of the companies, but you should be making no less than mid $20s an hour.

It's an 8 week course to become a medic for a site. Don't do it. It's the most fucking boring job on site. Your duties being a medic:

- Sign people in and out.
That's it. The girl we have on our site is literally sitting in her truck 12 hours a day just signing people in and out. There's so much weight on safety anyway that first aid is hardly ever needed.

Now you might think, that sounds like an awesome job. But believe me, you will get so bored. I watch a movie a day and have read 2 books in a week so far. I wouldn't want to sit in my truck any longer.

In my experience with medics (Koala T, Barb's, comes to mind), they were only required a 2 week course, the one from BC transferred and same was offered in Alberta. Same in Ft. McKay for Imperial and a small operator in GP.

Tresdus and CKSEA thank you

I'm already set to enter a year long paramedic program in the fall and working toward advanced emt certification as of now. I'd hate to waste my skills, but would GLADLY enter one of the trade jobs at any site if it's a viable option in a years time. Will that make any sense to pursue? I have no trade skill at the moment

I moved here from Germany at 19, with a highschool degree. In a month I found a job paying 5k/2 weeks. If you want it you can do it.