(04-01-2014 11:22 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Simdog,
Bring any tickets you have. It won't hurt. Not sure they would be recognized here but it won't hurt to bring them with you.

What field do you have in mind? Do you have any experience in anything related? Like field, trade experience?

Do you have proper work visa? That will be a major thing.

It doesn't really matter what places are hiring now. What matters is what places will be hiring when you are physically here.

Cheers.

I might just leave them at home. Dont want to risk losing these expensive bits of paper if I decide to come back. Any field really, I mainly have low end shitkicking experience so im already at a disadvantage, mine site experience included..I have a visa all set up, just staying in a hostel for a few days before I decide if Edmonton is worth my time. Unlike many on here Im on a timeline so I cant mess around for too long otherwise I dont have a job to come back too (shit job)

It seem to me that theres lots of gung-ho really confident folk posting on this thread who just seem to arrive from the UK and it all gets sorted. Good for them but its not my personality..Which is why im looking for more concrete opinions/advice.

Thanks for replying anyway.

@Simdog87 Just scan copies of your tickets and either carry them on a USB or email them to yourself, you never know if you may need to show proof if you decide to come here.

An interesting video to Americans wanting to work in Canada and more specifically in the booming oil sands in Alberta:
http://youtu.be/THLzeQM_TmM

Yes simdog, just bring copies of your tickets, that's what your employer wants anyway.

We are all that confident because it is that easy to get a job. So far everyone that came here got a job, and that's about 20 people.

It's even more than 20! Lots of quiet guys on this thread that have come out to Alberta. Don't come with a jaded attitude, take the information that's on this thread get out here and make it happen.

@ VP, that video really irritates me. They have ND they don't need to come up here. We actually shouldn't need any foreign temporary workers if our countries outlook smartened up. This stupid ''skill shortage'' would NEVER happen if more provinces actually promoted the trades as careers especially when kids are in high school. From my experience most provinces except Alberta, generally look down on trades and blue collar routes and are always promoting university.

I agree with you KDog. Anybody think the States would open their doors so some of us Canadians could escape winter and go down there to work? IMO not likely gonna happen.

Agreed with you Kdog that the trades are not promoted enough outside of AB in the rest of the country. Which is a total shame. I guess, the system needs fodder to be sent to the cannon and to have sheeple to keep paying those ever increasing tuition fees for useless degees.

I've been telling my young cousins who are about to finish HS in Ontario to strongly consider the trades and even make the move to AB. One is a jacked up rugby player who plays at the provincial level. He'd be a perfect fit in AB.

For those that have stayed in Edmonton hostels. Are they crowded or do tourists skip Edmonton ? And how long were you guys hostelling it ?

I was in Edmonton a few days ago and I didn't stay long as it's a pretty shity place, I did like the $2 YMCA shower though, lol. Calgary is much better and a little more expensive but I went to Grand Prairie and like it so far. Hostels are fairly expensive so best bet is get a room but there's a catch, no one will accept you if you don't have a job so expect to pay 3 months in advance and don't be picky. Also I'm not sure if the P.O Box for resadence will work, I was reading on the Alberta website that internet printed statements are not accepted and you will need like a utility bill or something similar as proof.

This weekend I went to Fort St John in BC for kicks and it was one of the best places I've been, people are more chill, bairly any rednecks, lots of hiring sigs and just better all around. Everything is more expensive but I don't care, I'll be heading there come fall.

I haven't exactly explored Calgary but it hasn't really impressed so far. It looks a tad plain. What makes Edmonton such a shithole ?

I think that's what I liked about Calgary, simple. Edmonton is full of rip and roar and a very busy city so for a party guy it's a good place. I say shitty loosely because I just didn't enjoy my time in the city, it's just not for me.

(04-07-2014 11:12 AM)simdog87 Wrote:  I haven't exactly explored Calgary but it hasn't really impressed so far. It looks a tad plain. What makes Edmonton such a shithole ?

I would say the Soviet-style architecture in Edmonton is the real kicker!

(04-07-2014 01:41 PM)komatiite Wrote:  

(04-07-2014 11:12 AM)simdog87 Wrote:  I haven't exactly explored Calgary but it hasn't really impressed so far. It looks a tad plain. What makes Edmonton such a shithole ?

I would say the Soviet-style architecture in Edmonton is the real kicker!

lol right on

If you like festivals (be it jazz, folk, other cultures, street comedians, theatre etc.), there is always something interesting happening in Edmonton's summertime. Unlike in Fort St John or Grande Prairie, you don't see many blue collars if any, which is something I truly appreciate during my weeks off.

Btw, I'm one of those non-English speaking (by nativeness) Euros who made it on Canadian oil sands. Been on 4 rigs in 3 provinces and it has been really interesting experience. This thread helped too, so thanks everyone involved.

(04-08-2014 03:37 PM)random Wrote:  If you like festivals (be it jazz, folk, other cultures, street comedians, theatre etc.), there is always something interesting happening in Edmonton's summertime. Unlike in Fort St John or Grande Prairie, you don't see many blue collars if any, which is something I truly appreciate during my weeks off.

Btw, I'm one of those non-English speaking (by nativeness) Euros who made it on Canadian oil sands. Been on 4 rigs in 3 provinces and it has been really interesting experience. This thread helped too, so thanks everyone involved.

Haha, yeah Edmonton isn't bad at all, the river valley is super nice in summer and there are lots of cute girls. It is just my duty as a Calgarian to talk shit about Edmonton any chance I can! Fuck those mulleted legions of Oiler fans! Congrats on making the move Random, hopefully you have been making some solid coin.

(04-06-2014 11:00 PM)Moneypitlover Wrote:  no one will accept you if you don't have a job so expect to pay 3 months in advance and don't be picky.

wat. I know at least 5 people that found something without a job and didn't have to pay in advance. Just look on kijiji and call them. First person I called I got the place 4 hours after I arrived here.

What do you think about applying for Alberta Nominee Program visa in Semi-skilled Worker category? Surely, being roughneck is a job that everyone could do, but is it really?
1) You need to get tickets. It's not a rocket science, but it takes a while. And some money for a greenhorn, too. I believe the more tickets you have, the better it looks (or rather it is considered) on your application.
2) People don't really want to work in fields and most of them leave after a while, so there's a considerable fluctuation. Sticking with one company and being a responsible worker should get you some points.
3) You need to be in a good physical shape.
4) Oil & gas industry is crucial for Canada.

I'm thinking about my options of staying here, coz I like Canadian lifestyle. Another possible way is to apply for extension of tfw visa, but I don't see that working. Or being sponsored by oil company, although I'm not sure if one would get positive LMO because of workers supply, not really a lack of them. Sadly it doesn't reflect point 2).

Somehow, it seems that if I was working in Tim Hortons or on some assembly line, my chances would skyrocket.

What sort of shifts are people doing up in Edmonton/Fort Mac. Is Fort Mac 21/7 ?

Question for Canadians.

Canada has long been my "emigration" option. I heard that Alberta is soon to become the hottest spot when it comes to economy, because of Oil or whatever. Your thoughts ? I always fancied Calgary.

Personally, town i have been most curious about is Halifax, but friend told me that strength of Canada is in the west, and that east is basically living at the expense of rest of the country.

Simdog,
It really depends on the job. It can be 14/7, 21/7, 10/4 or even 28/28.

Orion,
Read the thread and you will have the answer to your question. It should be pretty obvious where its at just by reading the first few lines.

Hi guys

I'm headed up tomorrow to Kearl as an Instrument Tech.
I've been working in Oil & Gas for last 2 years I'm originally from Australia though.

I've done quite a bit of mining work but never camp work and I was curious to how the camps compared in Australia if anyone has done both?

I've worked a 14/14 before and that is a playboy lifestyle shift! 14/7 for now until I can find one again....

I stayed at the Henday lodge for 6 months (there are 3 lodges in the area I believe that are typically used for Kearl), ended up getting kicked out because it was run like a prison, staff has been worn out from working for a terrible company and rude customers. 3 high stacked living quarters with shared bathroom, extremely clean facilities, daily cleaning service, OK food with large bagged lunch area. Great gym.

Another question.

Do you guys get you own homes or go into a share house ?

This is very circumstantial. I've stayed in both.