First of all, a big thumbs up to Scotian for starting this thread and spreading a wealth of information. Hats off to Atlantic, Laurifer, Tresdus, Vacancier Permanent, Tresdus , etc for sharing their experiences and everyone else for keeping the thread up to speed.

I have read this thread entirely, summarizing all the good stuff. Saved a few Gs working in Toronto, and now I am ready to plunge into Alberta.

I understand that late Fall/Winter is the best time to get hired. Also, that companies prefer to employ people who are already in Alberta than those who apply online from the other side of Canada. Plus, I need to get tickets like H2S Alive, Fall Arrest, CSTS, etc.

From what I have read from Atlantic’s experience, MWD seems like a good fit for me. I have decent computer and math skills from having a degree in Engineering from Scotland. My goal is to work my ass off as an MWD trainee and branch out to Directional Driller in the next 5 years.

Going to fly to Calgary on August 20 and start pounding the pavement like crazy, handing out resumes to MWD companies.
Am following Atlantic’s method of wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase to all the interviews I am going to emphasize that I can work long hours and have an aptitude for computers

I have a list of companies that I have noted down from the thread:
Baker Hughes, Schlumberger Anadrill, Weatherford Dalen, Compass Directional, Newsco, Continental, Ryan Energy, Omni Drilling, Blackmax, Phoenix Technology, Directional Plus, SLB

Any other tips on interviews or which companies are better is very much appreciated.

Here is a question to MWD guys like Atlantic: between Calgary and Edmonton, which city is more open to people like me showing up at their company’s doorstep and demanding interviews?

(07-21-2014 02:12 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Nfallin

What kind of trade did you initially get started in? Was your pay anywhre near 45k? In NY ive seenw elder gigs for basically 30k... Not too attractive

Electrical. My gross was 57k the year I started working in the trade. Sixty hour weeks at a sweat shop in the city with some commercial work mixed in after the sweatshop went bankrupt.

I only worked in the city because I needed a stepping stone and was locked into where I was living. If I wanted a 9-5 lifestyle in the city I would not go into trades. It's not worth it, at least for me. Would be better just to get a job at a bank. My endgame was always to grind out here to make some money to save, invest, travel and fuck off.

So unless you're willing to grind in north dakota, texas, or wherever else the hotspot is in the US, I suggest a different route.

@Hamish

Both cities are good. Id say Edmonton is better but only cause I know it well. Calgary seems to be where a lot of guys get trained though. If you do land in Edmonton get in touch. Also shoot me your resume and number when you get here too.

So Im on fifty days with one off in between. I go back soon for one day off then another 20-30 days working again.

Im definitely feeling some burn out. Its been hard to game new girls (in the local town) and Ive been needing additional sleep.
Have still managed to keep a good rotation of girls back in town somehow (!?) but Im pushing it.

Have gone from no work last summer to projects planned non stop for the next year. Im going to have to figure something out. I might do a post on burn out prevention soon but to sumerise it sucks ha.

^^^Give er til ya quiver bro!

Came home and there was this beautiful creature standing in the middle of the street, arms outstretched, big dumper, small headlights... love at first sight! I've developed a bit of one-itis over the entire week, I get butterflies every time I see her sitting there.

Do you guys happen to know where to get BOBCAT or SKIDSTEER training? It's like 7 to 10,000 dollars to do the HVY op course here at the local community college and I'm seriously wondering about the ROI. I want to drive this Bobcat, so bad, are there jobs for bobcat drivers in the oil sands? I certainly hope so, I'm in love. This week I got certified to drive all the different types of forklifts. In the next few weeks I'm going to do a refresher for DZ driving but its nearly $100 bucks an hour (Rip Off).

Its good to be home.

I appreciate the recommendations for the other trades and while I'd like to get into them, some of the courses aren't running until November. When I get to the oil sands, I want to hit the ground running. I'd like to have as much versatility as I can and I'm sort of obsessed with this little machine.

I called for a Machinist Apprenticeship the other day, they said that they required a year of schooling first. Fair enough.

Then I asked how much they pay, he replied: "minimum wage (10 bucks) for the first two years and when you finish your red seal you might get around $20 per hour". I asked what it takes to make $30 per hour (my wage teaching kids [in CHINA]) and the guy replied that it might take 10 YEARS. So after an entire year of school, you go on to make the same that a Tim Horton's worker makes? Are you sh1tting me??? Killed my enthusiasm for the trade instantly.

WTF!?!?!

When I was in my early 20's I worked as a forklift driver for $16/hr and THAT course only took me 2 days, so what gives? My TESOL course (for teaching) took a week and I started in around 20 bucks an hour in Korea(salary). I did OTR Driving for a short while and when we calculated the hourly rate it was something like 7 dollars lol, we would do 2 weeks on and 2 days off and really after you add up the actual number of hours the truck was rolling (not in traffic) it evens out to a terrible wage. That course took 3 months and ate up $5000 CAD. Not only that, you have to sit with another guy 24/7 for 2 weeks straight [no breaks].

I took a $2000 MIG welding course for 2 months, didn't get the ticket and they still started me at $15 an hour. There doesn't really seem to be a standard for wages in Ontario.

Badwolf, just move out to Alberta and see what happens, nothing will happen while you're sitting in Ontario, and definitely do not invest a single dollar into any training on anything in Ontario, especially something like Bobcat training, which you can get out west for free. You're over thinking things and you're considering too many options, operating a Bobcat or big rig is a lot different than being a machinist or a welder, try to narrow it down.

Look at the success that all of the guys on here who've moved out west have had, all are doing pretty well and putting in their time, eventually they'll all be doing very, very well. Just move out to Alberta and start working and good things will happen, try to have a vehicle and a few grand in the bank and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Scotian, I absolutely plan to buddy.. I have to sort things out here for the next 2 months to begin the process to bring my wife home. I applied to a couple temp agencies here and they didn't seem to have much available. Last time, I was home, I had an absolute ton of offers after doing the forklift courses (only $350) so probably going to save a few dollars and then make my way out there... need some Canadian references also, current ones are from China.

I was on kijiji today and I called an advert for oil work in Alberta, guy was from somewhere in India or Pakistan. From what I could tell he said he'd come out and give me all the tickets for between $1600 to $3000 and set me up with a job afterwards... I dunno how legit that sounds though. If Heavy Equipment training is free out there, I won't invest any more in the courses here.

http://www.tdgwhmis.ca/store/catalog.php?category=1

Is this a mistake or a scam? 40 bucks to do the H2S Alive? Most people have quoted me between 2 and 300 dollars.

Lol, me as a Pakistani, NEVER trust a Pakistani who wants your money first, and then promises you a return after lol. Not saying all Pakistanis are like that, but it definately sounds like a scam !

(07-22-2014 07:57 PM)BadWolf Wrote:  Scotian, I absolutely plan to buddy.. I have to sort things out here for the next 2 months to begin the process to bring my wife home. I applied to a couple temp agencies here and they didn't seem to have much available. Last time, I was home, I had an absolute ton of offers after doing the forklift courses (only $350) so probably going to save a few dollars and then make my way out there... need some Canadian references also, current ones are from China.

I was on kijiji today and I called an advert for oil work in Alberta, guy was from somewhere in India or Pakistan. From what I could tell he said he'd come out and give me all the tickets for between $1600 to $3000 and set me up with a job afterwards... I dunno how legit that sounds though. If Heavy Equipment training is free out there, I won't invest any more in the courses here.

http://www.tdgwhmis.ca/store/catalog.php?category=1

Is this a mistake or a scam? 40 bucks to do the H2S Alive? Most people have quoted me between 2 and 300 dollars.

That sounds a bit too good to be true although I'm not familiar with the pricing for those courses in Ontario, it seems to low and I didn't see any mention of the courses being to the OSSA standards, which means that they won't be recognized in the oil sands. I wouldn't trust some random dude off Kijiji to train you up and get you a job, sounds a bit fishy. The heavy equipment training isn't free per se, but if you get on with a company (or local 955 of the IUOE), they will then train you. With your heavy hauler ticket and experience, I think you should be able to get such a job with relative ease.

If you really want to go back to school for a course or some upgrading, which can be a great idea, then I suggest doing so in Alberta at a vocational school such as SAIT, NAIT or Keyano College as all oil companies and contractors actively recruit from those institutions.

Just started as a green hand tin basher in e-town, residential, dont need any tickets. Lets see where she goes.....

Sounds like you make more money to train people to work up in the oil sands than actually going up and working in the oil sands...Fucking crooks!

(07-22-2014 12:26 PM)NFallin Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 02:12 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Nfallin

What kind of trade did you initially get started in? Was your pay anywhre near 45k? In NY ive seenw elder gigs for basically 30k... Not too attractive

Electrical. My gross was 57k the year I started working in the trade. Sixty hour weeks at a sweat shop in the city with some commercial work mixed in after the sweatshop went bankrupt.

I only worked in the city because I needed a stepping stone and was locked into where I was living. If I wanted a 9-5 lifestyle in the city I would not go into trades. It's not worth it, at least for me. Would be better just to get a job at a bank. My endgame was always to grind out here to make some money to save, invest, travel and fuck off.

So unless you're willing to grind in north dakota, texas, or wherever else the hotspot is in the US, I suggest a different route.

I disagree. My co-worker makes over 100k just working 9-5 in the city. If I wanted a wife and kids (which I absolutely don't) working in the city would be a very viable option.

(07-22-2014 08:42 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Sounds like you make more money to train people to work up in the oil sands than actually going up and working in the oil sands...Fucking crooks!

People pay you for your knowledge not for what you do. Why do you think my coworker that does less work than me gets paid 3 times as much as me?

hey badwolf,it wll be tough getting a job in the oilsands driving a bobcat,your best bet is on a construction site,in a quarry or snow clearing in the winter time

(07-22-2014 09:06 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 12:26 PM)NFallin Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 02:12 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Nfallin

What kind of trade did you initially get started in? Was your pay anywhre near 45k? In NY ive seenw elder gigs for basically 30k... Not too attractive

Electrical. My gross was 57k the year I started working in the trade. Sixty hour weeks at a sweat shop in the city with some commercial work mixed in after the sweatshop went bankrupt.

I only worked in the city because I needed a stepping stone and was locked into where I was living. If I wanted a 9-5 lifestyle in the city I would not go into trades. It's not worth it, at least for me. Would be better just to get a job at a bank. My endgame was always to grind out here to make some money to save, invest, travel and fuck off.

So unless you're willing to grind in north dakota, texas, or wherever else the hotspot is in the US, I suggest a different route.

I disagree. My co-worker makes over 100k just working 9-5 in the city. If I wanted a wife and kids (which I absolutely don't) working in the city would be a very viable option.

Of course you can make over 100k in the city if you're a Jman or are working insane hours as an apprentice. I just would rather take a different route. My foreman at my last job who was around 36 told me: "Get the fuck out of the trade, this is as good as it gets if you stay in the city. No sick days, my friends have office jobs where they fuck off all day and take long lunches with paid vacation time, and don't have to stare at dudes all day. But if you go up North that's where the game changes."

Take it for what it's worth.

Quote:hey badwolf,it wll be tough getting a job in the oilsands driving a bobcat,your best bet is on a construction site,in a quarry or snow clearing in the winter time

Doesn't matter to me where, as long as I get to drive one and make money doing it. I felt the same way about forklifts a long time ago and actually I still feel that way, just wish they paid more.

We've had this discussion before so I'll put a new spin on it since I'm home now and very serious about this: Where would be the best place and what would be the best way to enter the Heavy Mechanic trade? I'm certain they have those guys up in the oilsands.

Something my wife pointed out to me though is that I am getting older and probably the next major jump will be my last so I have to choose wisely with this one. Seems to me that the Heavy Mech's make the most money even though Heavy Operations looks to be more fun. My goal is to be a journey man within the next 5 years and it would certainly help if I had a bit of money to boot. The one thing I really want to be able to do at the end of my trade would be to either train other apprentices or teach at a community college.

There no such thing as a heavy machinery trade. You can take a 10 week course in Alberta for heavyMAchinery for around $18,000 to $20,000. These guys make around $8k-$11k per month. The job is unionized prpvided that you get steady work year round. Im coming to edmonton on the 9th, and beleive me, i wanna make hard core cash as ssoon As i land there too, but we all start from the bottom and end up to the top. And starting fromr the bottom means, clearing a minimum 5k a month lol. I would say thats pretty good as a starting pay, do your time for 2-3 years and see how you like it. Everything takes tome, and i hVe accepted it. In the end you'll be able to appreciate what youve done and say, started from the bottom now we here

(07-22-2014 09:25 PM)NFallin Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 09:06 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 12:26 PM)NFallin Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 02:12 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Nfallin

What kind of trade did you initially get started in? Was your pay anywhre near 45k? In NY ive seenw elder gigs for basically 30k... Not too attractive

Electrical. My gross was 57k the year I started working in the trade. Sixty hour weeks at a sweat shop in the city with some commercial work mixed in after the sweatshop went bankrupt.

I only worked in the city because I needed a stepping stone and was locked into where I was living. If I wanted a 9-5 lifestyle in the city I would not go into trades. It's not worth it, at least for me. Would be better just to get a job at a bank. My endgame was always to grind out here to make some money to save, invest, travel and fuck off.

So unless you're willing to grind in north dakota, texas, or wherever else the hotspot is in the US, I suggest a different route.

I disagree. My co-worker makes over 100k just working 9-5 in the city. If I wanted a wife and kids (which I absolutely don't) working in the city would be a very viable option.

Of course you can make over 100k in the city if you're a Jman or are working insane hours as an apprentice. I just would rather take a different route. My foreman at my last job who was around 36 told me: "Get the fuck out of the trade, this is as good as it gets if you stay in the city. No sick days, my friends have office jobs where they fuck off all day and take long lunches with paid vacation time, and don't have to stare at dudes all day. But if you go up North that's where the game changes."

Take it for what it's worth.

2 things.

1) Of course you don't stay in the trade the whole time. The smart people become consultants etc. My co-worker gets 2 job offers a month doing other stuff.

2) I would shoot myself if I had to work in an office. I would rather stare at men the whole day then listen to the vapid conversation office people (mostly women but quite a few men, too) have.
Also the bullshit with HR and office politics and all that crap.

I'm thinking of getting into a trade (welding) and heading out to North Dakota, Canada, or the mines in Australia. pay there is pretty good for almost all trades

All the Pms in the last few days - I got my first day off in a month so wont be responding to late weekend/early next week.

No problemo, Atlantic..

Badwolf,
Buddy, you're overthinking it. Get your ass to AB ASAP and you'll see it with your eyes that you must be here to get a good paying job in a trade. Don't bother with that kijiji guy, no need to pay him or anyone to get your tickets and or guarantee you a job in the patch. You want a 100% fool proof guarantee to get a job in the oil fields trade? Get here ASAP. As simple as that. NO ifs or buts around it.

For your basic tickets (H2S, First Aid, CSTS etc..), will run you about 150$ each. Or heck, if you're short in cash, go to the Bliscell Organisation and they'll give those tickets for free.

All in all, the soonest you get here, the better you'll be off. That's all it boils down to man.

Exactly ! Just buy that one way ticket and get on the dam plane ! Heres my plan for reference, Ive saved up around $3000. Ill use that to buy a beater truck. Already got a place set up there, payed two months of rent. Got my tickets, H2S Alive, PST, first aid. Got rig fall arrest booked on the 11th and 12th at enform, abd landing on the 9th !! All i know is that i wanna get on a drilling rig, and become a driller in the next 4-5 years ! And to achieve that, ill be pounding all the drilling offices in Nisku, Leduc and Edmonton, even Calgary if i have to go there, and till i grt a call, im ready to work general labour in thw city to keep me financially afloat; which BTW pays more than my corporate job here in Toronto lol. When theres a will, theres a way ! In all honesty, you have to work with what you can get and then figure out the EXACT route you wanna take, rigs, trucking, heavy equipment, trades or being an escort lol whatever !