Yea were lucky in ireland the visa use to be 1 year but from 2013 its two years so we get an extra year which is sweet i will be heading straight for nisku..whats work like in march lads?

I've been in Calgary since wed and have found a good number of job ledes though I won't have anything concrete till Monday (everyone here seems to take fri off to party, lol I like it). Also everything seems to be shutting down for Christmas, but I don't think it will be a problem.

Until then I will be looking around for the cheapest working vehicle I can find. It is awkward as depending on the job I get I might need anything from just a beater car to full 4x4 to no car at all. I might just hold off till mon. It sucks getting out to the various contractors without one, but it can be done as someone said earlier.

I love Calgary though. Only great things to say about it.

How u finding it man? whats geting accomadtion like?...is picking up a job in the oil game handy for labours?

Scotian. First of all I want to tip my hat and say great site! Lots of useful and current information. Cheers to you and all who contribute!
Like a lot of people visiting this site I've been considering going out to Alberta to work. I'm a Construction Project Manager here in Ontario. I've been in the industry for 25 years and have 15 years experience as a Project Manager.
I'm hoping you can give me a little insight into the opportunities for a Construction Project Manager out there. I have come across a few postings, but they don't really give much info on work schedules and pay. Do you have any info on the pay structures for the type of work I'm seeking? I appreciate any info I can get.
PS I have a diploma in Construction Engineering Technology and have CET credentials.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best!

(12-07-2012 07:52 PM)Rodman Wrote:  Scotian. First of all I want to tip my hat and say great site! Lots of useful and current information. Cheers to you and all who contribute!
Like a lot of people visiting this site I've been considering going out to Alberta to work. I'm a Construction Project Manager here in Ontario. I've been in the industry for 25 years and have 15 years experience as a Project Manager.
I'm hoping you can give me a little insight into the opportunities for a Construction Project Manager out there. I have come across a few postings, but they don't really give much info on work schedules and pay. Do you have any info on the pay structures for the type of work I'm seeking? I appreciate any info I can get.
PS I have a diploma in Construction Engineering Technology and have CET credentials.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best!

If you have industrial experience, expect 120k base salary plus 45-60% bonuses and uplifts. Total compensation should approach or exceed 200k. If its mostly commercial experience, you'll probably come in as a project coordinator for a couple years at 100-150k plus LOA. One of the coordinators working on my project currently flies in and out from the east coast. He's rarely in the city.

Also, as a project manager, you'll likely be in a company truck and be on a more flexible schedule with flights. I work out of Edmonton but fly up north at least a few days a week.

Thanks Scotian, Thanks Ecksie
The potential salary sounds pretty good! I do have industrial experience having worked with Ford, General Motors and Ontario Hydro in the past. I was wondering if Project Managers stay at camp? Ecksie it seems works out of head office in the city. Does that impact pay? And also would you know if Project Managers positions require a term contract? This is starting to sound like a good opportunity!!!
Thanks again

Rodman,

Project Managers typically are based out of Edmonton/Calgary but site visits are usually required. Every company works their salaries a little differently. Most, however, generally pay a base salary when you aren't assigned to a project and then an overtime/location uplift based on your project location and work schedule. If you are required on site full time, expect a sweet uplift. Just to throw some numbers at you: one of my peers is on a 14/7 rotation (10 hr days) in Fort Mac and will clear $225k this year. I'm based in the city and work up to 55 hours per week. I'm on track to just barely squeeze out $200k.

I will say this--there's a huge demand for our skillset but there's also a lot of pressure to perform. Have a few projects go sideways on you and youll develop an ugly reputation in a hurry.

It's been the best career decision I ever made.

(12-10-2012 11:22 PM)Ecksie Wrote:  Rodman,

Project Managers typically are based out of Edmonton/Calgary but site visits are usually required. Every company works their salaries a little differently. Most, however, generally pay a base salary when you aren't assigned to a project and then an overtime/location uplift based on your project location and work schedule. If you are required on site full time, expect a sweet uplift. Just to throw some numbers at you: one of my peers is on a 14/7 rotation (10 hr days) in Fort Mac and will clear $225k this year. I'm based in the city and work up to 55 hours per week. I'm on track to just barely squeeze out $200k.

I will say this--there's a huge demand for our skillset but there's also a lot of pressure to perform. Have a few projects go sideways on you and youll develop an ugly reputation in a hurry.

It's been the best career decision I ever made.

Great advice Ecksie, those ugly reputations don't only follow managers around, it can happen in the trades too. There's quite a few guys working up in Fort Mac who aren't there by choice, they've burnt every bridge they had in their home towns (and often others) and are only in the Mac because employers get so desperate for workers there. Unfortunately, I've worked with a few of these guys, its brutal!

Guys finished the week on the rigs as a leasehand and on my second night as an MWD Drilling Engineer with another company already. I have steady work till Christmas on this one particular job and many more jobs afterwards. The job consists of doing up reports on the drilling tools and is easy enough work but requires a certain applitude for maths and computers.

Start out at around 14k a month and my trainer reckons I will be on over a 1000 a day in about 1-2.5 years depending on how quick I learn. He makes over 200k a year and has over 100 days off each year too. Plus he is only 30.

Don't get too much time these days to respond to PMs and to be honest nearly all of the questions I get have been answered several times through this tread. Just book your visa, save up some cash and move out here with the right attitude and a bit of research. It really is that easy.

Working on the rig is very well paid if you don't mind the hard work and mental stress that goes with it. As you move up the ladder to being a driller the pay increases along with the respect given to you. Although it is always dangerous and hard work.

If you are interested in becoming an MWD hopefully you have a degree or technical course done and you can easily do some research on google. Its a comfy job with really good pay.

As far as PMS I have recieved - do your research- all your questions are answered on this tread and by a quick google search. I can't believe Scotian replies to so many and with so much information. I hope people realise how lucky they are for the amount of time and info he gives them.

Best of luck everyone

I was making 30 an hour before overtime as a leasehand. 12 hours a day-14 day rotation. Works out close to 7,000 every rotation. All my gear included as long as I didnt quit (which I did after 7 days). All you need is a class 5 licience, truck and your HS2. BS your experience- they never checked mine. Plus Soctian I used that working at savana trick at marks warehouse for a nice discount on the way up here. If you are moving out here go back and copy all of Scotians posts to one file and print it off. Stable it together and read it daily.

Irishman just few questions:

Did you have to buy your own truck? So you didnt find the drilling work to be that hard as everybody was saying?

Do you think your degree is having an influence on your success there?

Fuck, 14k per month sounds good as fuck, i would work like a slave for that kind of money haha.

I am glad shit has worked for you.

Hey guys,

Like most people on this thread, I accidentally passed through this thread about 1.5 months ago when doing some research on the oil sands in Alberta. Just wanna give my kudos to scotian and the others that have massively contributed valuable information on this thread.

I've read through everything, did my end of the research on the companies posted here, allowed the info to simmer, and recently made the serious decision to go for it.

I will be making the move in February, in order for me to close off any financial, employment and personal ties here. A little bit about me to put everything in context. I'm 24 years old, Vietnamese-Canadian, currently in Toronto, Ontario. Completed my B.A. in Sociology in 2011, now I currently work in Home & Auto Insurance division with the Royal Bank of Canada, and don't like it at all. Corporate life is not for me, hence the decision to move. Zero experience in the trades, though I work as a Supervisor at a lube shop for about 4 years before this job. Not much of a job, but gave me some basic knowledge on tools and mechanics. I'm definitely more of a hands-on person, as I enjoy working with tools and prefer manual labour over sitting in front of a computer all the time. Still live with the parents, recently paid off student loans, currently in the 1st of a 3 year financing term for my car (2010 Honda Civic). I make $30k/year after taxes. Game-wise, close to nil. Just had a major case of oneitus for over 5 years. A horrible relationship. This move will be the first time moving out on my own and doing it on my own. Scared? Tbh, yes, but just glad that I've found this opportunity. Told myself to man the fuck up and do it.

From what I read through, I understand there are 3 safety tickets that are needed before employers in Alberta will consider me: CSTS, H2S Alive and OSSA Fall Protection, along with First Aid. Just completed my CSTS, I have an H2S Alive course lined up for mid Jan and OSSA I'm in the process of enrolling. First Aid course will be done this weekend.

In terms of bank roll, after liquidation I should have between $8k-$10k by Feb, and apparently $5k is more than enough to bring there. I just like extra cushion.

Living arrangements, Edmonton is closer to Fort Mac than Calgary, but apparently Calgary is a better city than Edmonton. Not sure how subjective that statement is but wondering if you guys that are there already can point me in the direction of more jobs. It was also stated that rent in Edmonton is about $400-600/month, which is very doable with my bank roll. Don't think I saw any info on rent in Calgary, but I would assume it's a little more if it's 'nicer' as people make it out to be. Transportation wise, I intend to get the cheapest car I can get there, like a shitty Honda Civic or something.

I understand that when I'm there, I'll be at the bottom of the barrel. My trade of choice is electrician, and I understand it will take about 2-4 years before I get journeyman status, that's fine. But in the mean time I will take anything that will pad my pockets up a bit. Not picky at all because I really have nothing to relate to in terms of job experience, so might as well get that experience so that I can justify my pickyness. As per some of scotian's posts, some companies will provide funding for your apprentice should you show some level of commitment to your work and the company, so I'm hoping to find such companies. Also, seems like joining a union is also the way to go in order to secure good wages and a good pension.

Scotian also posted some links on companies that hire newbies off the street: HSE integrated, United Safety, CEDA Group, Clean Harbors. It would be ideal for me to have something lined up for when I get there, so I will have my resume and cover letters updated and send them to these companies.

Ideally, I'd like to work up in Fort Mac and live in a camp there. Saw some Youtube vids of the camps there and doesn't seem like anything I cannot handle.

To avoid having questions all over the place, I've bundled them up here. Any response to these questions is greatly appreciated:

- I will be updating my resume to add the tickets, First Aid, and that I have a full driver's license on here. Is there anything else I should add there?
- How easy is it to find a place in Edmonton or Calgary? I know if I looked around some ads and newspapers I will find some but what I mean is are they usually abundant, or scarce?
- Any idea if the Alberta market value for old, used cars is nice and cheap? I'd like to be as frugal as possible.
- Any suggestions as to what unions have electricians, and where I can find them in Alberta? I'm very new to this whole 'union' thing but I understand that they are there for the worker's protection.
- Any suggestions for other companies that I should be focusing on, in terms of helping me with my electrician apprenticeship?

I may be missing some other things in my game plan, but understand that I've invested a lot of time and research in this and not taking this lightly at all. This will be done. If you guys think I'm missing anything, it would be great to have your input.

(12-08-2012 10:15 AM)Ecksie Wrote:  

(12-07-2012 07:52 PM)Rodman Wrote:  Scotian. First of all I want to tip my hat and say great site! Lots of useful and current information. Cheers to you and all who contribute!
Like a lot of people visiting this site I've been considering going out to Alberta to work. I'm a Construction Project Manager here in Ontario. I've been in the industry for 25 years and have 15 years experience as a Project Manager.
I'm hoping you can give me a little insight into the opportunities for a Construction Project Manager out there. I have come across a few postings, but they don't really give much info on work schedules and pay. Do you have any info on the pay structures for the type of work I'm seeking? I appreciate any info I can get.
PS I have a diploma in Construction Engineering Technology and have CET credentials.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best!

If you have industrial experience, expect 120k base salary plus 45-60% bonuses and uplifts. Total compensation should approach or exceed 200k. If its mostly commercial experience, you'll probably come in as a project coordinator for a couple years at 100-150k plus LOA. One of the coordinators working on my project currently flies in and out from the east coast. He's rarely in the city.

I am about to write my PMP, however I don't have expertise in that field and not too much Project Management experience.
What are my chances with one of those Co-ordinator jobs?
PM if you like.

Just finished my 2 week long, 70 hour, OFA lvl 3 course (advanced first aid ). Passed my written and practical today. I figure I need to do bottom of the barrel jobs while I'm in Calgary getting my certificates and if Alberta is anything like BC, an advanced first aid ticket will bump up your salary quite a bit if you're working as a simple labourer. I've heard conflicting stories about my OFA lvl 3 ticket being accepted in Alberta, but it seems that it's up to individual employers. The training is virtually identical though.

Anyway, I have my PST (petroleum safety training) and first aid tickets now. Will take care of the H2S ticket before Feb. Someone mentioned fall protection as well. Is that necessary?

Edit: here's a good site if you want to know the equivalent of your first aid ticket in diff jurisdictions across Western Canada (scroll down to the last page).
http://www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/first-aid-trai...ern-canada

(12-11-2012 08:37 AM)pitt Wrote:  Irishman just few questions:

Did you have to buy your own truck? So you didnt find the drilling work to be that hard as everybody was saying?

Do you think your degree is having an influence on your success there?

Fuck, 14k per month sounds good as fuck, i would work like a slave for that kind of money haha.

I am glad shit has worked for you.

Hey Pitt,

Technically I didn't have to have my own truck to start as a leasehand but I waited close to 2 months for a fly in job and never got one. Once I had the truck I was going up to work the next day. It helps a lot. Its not a huge expense though. I picked up a truck for 500 and insurance for 77 a month. Pretty cheap.

The leasehand is hard alright but it is manageable. I was actually feeling pretty good by the end of the week. It is a good work out. You just need to be able to handle stress well and not panic or crack cause you get tested a lot by the conditions -weather, the drilling crew, work pace, long hours etc.

As for this new job, it is physically very easy. Played two hours of RISK online last night. It is nearly hard to stay awake you are doing so little.

It didn't matter too much having a degree for becoming a leasehand but it definitely got me this job. But if you don't I wouldn't worry about it. Bump up your work exp. heaps - no one is going to check. Plus a little exp. in something similar goes a long way here. I worked hard to get this job, researching the company, the position, the people who interviewed me- everything. Nailed the interview and am doing well so far. I think it helps to know what you want and narrow your focus. There is so many options out here you can waste a lot of energy and time if you don't know exactly what you want. That is the first thing I would start with.

Happy to help man, if you have anymore questions post them up here. I am not answering any PMs about the oil fields since it should be kept on this tread for everyone to see.

Shit, re-reading the thread and found some info on electricians at around the 4th page. I'm going through this thread with a fine tooth-comb and posting all this info on a Word doc.

Good luck Albertron, you're on the right track. All the info you need has already been posted here. Copy paste the awesome posts by Scotian into a word doc and print them and take them with you. Have your driving licence, do your safety tickets along your H2S once you get in Edmonton, get a place to live at and then get going. Come prepared and you will find something along the lines of what you want.

Best of luck man!

Scotian,

Thanks for this very helpful thread. I'm ready to move to AB in the new year. I have no trade background whatsoever. I'm interested in becoming an electrician. I've perused this thread for a good couple months and spent countless hours researching elsewhere. What I don't understand is this. Most companies are looking for apprentices who are "indentured" or "registered". But you can't get indentured or registered without having a company sponsor you. That sounds like circular logic. Am I missing something here? What does a guy in a situation like myself, should do to get into the field?

The only route I can see is going through pre-apprenticeship courses at a college, which is something I am not willing to embrace. After all, if you get a company to indenture you, they will pay for your school right?

I'd appreciate some info on this.

Thanks again.

(12-11-2012 10:22 AM)Albertron Wrote:  Hey guys,

Like most people on this thread, I accidentally passed through this thread about 1.5 months ago when doing some research on the oil sands in Alberta. Just wanna give my kudos to scotian and the others that have massively contributed valuable information on this thread.

I've read through everything, did my end of the research on the companies posted here, allowed the info to simmer, and recently made the serious decision to go for it.

I will be making the move in February, in order for me to close off any financial, employment and personal ties here. A little bit about me to put everything in context. I'm 24 years old, Vietnamese-Canadian, currently in Toronto, Ontario. Completed my B.A. in Sociology in 2011, now I currently work in Home & Auto Insurance division with the Royal Bank of Canada, and don't like it at all. Corporate life is not for me, hence the decision to move. Zero experience in the trades, though I work as a Supervisor at a lube shop for about 4 years before this job. Not much of a job, but gave me some basic knowledge on tools and mechanics. I'm definitely more of a hands-on person, as I enjoy working with tools and prefer manual labour over sitting in front of a computer all the time. Still live with the parents, recently paid off student loans, currently in the 1st of a 3 year financing term for my car (2010 Honda Civic). I make $30k/year after taxes. Game-wise, close to nil. Just had a major case of oneitus for over 5 years. A horrible relationship. This move will be the first time moving out on my own and doing it on my own. Scared? Tbh, yes, but just glad that I've found this opportunity. Told myself to man the fuck up and do it.

From what I read through, I understand there are 3 safety tickets that are needed before employers in Alberta will consider me: CSTS, H2S Alive and OSSA Fall Protection, along with First Aid. Just completed my CSTS, I have an H2S Alive course lined up for mid Jan and OSSA I'm in the process of enrolling. First Aid course will be done this weekend.

In terms of bank roll, after liquidation I should have between $8k-$10k by Feb, and apparently $5k is more than enough to bring there. I just like extra cushion.

Living arrangements, Edmonton is closer to Fort Mac than Calgary, but apparently Calgary is a better city than Edmonton. Not sure how subjective that statement is but wondering if you guys that are there already can point me in the direction of more jobs. It was also stated that rent in Edmonton is about $400-600/month, which is very doable with my bank roll. Don't think I saw any info on rent in Calgary, but I would assume it's a little more if it's 'nicer' as people make it out to be. Transportation wise, I intend to get the cheapest car I can get there, like a shitty Honda Civic or something.

I understand that when I'm there, I'll be at the bottom of the barrel. My trade of choice is electrician, and I understand it will take about 2-4 years before I get journeyman status, that's fine. But in the mean time I will take anything that will pad my pockets up a bit. Not picky at all because I really have nothing to relate to in terms of job experience, so might as well get that experience so that I can justify my pickyness. As per some of scotian's posts, some companies will provide funding for your apprentice should you show some level of commitment to your work and the company, so I'm hoping to find such companies. Also, seems like joining a union is also the way to go in order to secure good wages and a good pension.

Scotian also posted some links on companies that hire newbies off the street: HSE integrated, United Safety, CEDA Group, Clean Harbors. It would be ideal for me to have something lined up for when I get there, so I will have my resume and cover letters updated and send them to these companies.

Ideally, I'd like to work up in Fort Mac and live in a camp there. Saw some Youtube vids of the camps there and doesn't seem like anything I cannot handle.

To avoid having questions all over the place, I've bundled them up here. Any response to these questions is greatly appreciated:

- I will be updating my resume to add the tickets, First Aid, and that I have a full driver's license on here. Is there anything else I should add there?
- How easy is it to find a place in Edmonton or Calgary? I know if I looked around some ads and newspapers I will find some but what I mean is are they usually abundant, or scarce?
- Any idea if the Alberta market value for old, used cars is nice and cheap? I'd like to be as frugal as possible.
- Any suggestions as to what unions have electricians, and where I can find them in Alberta? I'm very new to this whole 'union' thing but I understand that they are there for the worker's protection.
- Any suggestions for other companies that I should be focusing on, in terms of helping me with my electrician apprenticeship?

I may be missing some other things in my game plan, but understand that I've invested a lot of time and research in this and not taking this lightly at all. This will be done. If you guys think I'm missing anything, it would be great to have your input.

You should be good to go, especially with $8-10K saved up, just re-read the thread and you'll find all of the info you need but I'll try my best to answer your questions.

-A clean driver's abstract and class 5 is almost essential, go to the Ontario DMV and have your abstract printed off, include this with your resume. H2S and CSTS are the basic ones, First-Aid is good but not as important. Other ones such as confined space entry or fall arrest are good to have as well, but I wouldn't worry to much about them, although they all look good on a CV.

-A room to rent should be easy to find, both furnished or non. With the money you have, you could find a non-furnished one cheaper then furnish it with stuff bought at IKEA or used, online at craigslist or Kijiji. Both of those websites are good for rentals as well, also check rentfaster.ca and the local papers.

-You can pick up a decent car for $2-5K

-The electrical union is the IBEW local 424, google it and contact them, they can answer some questions. There's also CLAC, a sham union but they have lots of work all over western Canada.

-I listed basically all of the contractor companies in this thread that hire electricians (Kiewit, PCL, Chemco, JV Driver, Flint Energy Services, etc). Contact them and see what they say.

Another forum member recently moved to Calgary and got a job pretty quick with an electrical company, I'm pretty sure they're going to indenture him and he'll likely be off to school for a couple of months within a year to complete his first block of the four year apprencticeship.

(12-12-2012 12:14 AM)ilove Wrote:  Scotian,

Thanks for this very helpful thread. I'm ready to move to AB in the new year. I have no trade background whatsoever. I'm interested in becoming an electrician. I've perused this thread for a good couple months and spent countless hours researching elsewhere. What I don't understand is this. Most companies are looking for apprentices who are "indentured" or "registered". But you can't get indentured or registered without having a company sponsor you. That sounds like circular logic. Am I missing something here? What does a guy in a situation like myself, should do to get into the field?

The only route I can see is going through pre-apprenticeship courses at a college, which is something I am not willing to embrace. After all, if you get a company to indenture you, they will pay for your school right?

I'd appreciate some info on this.

Thanks again.

Go back through the thread and read Zeus's posts. I've never been an indentured apprentice as my trade isn't an apprenticeship although sometime's I've referred to myself as one because basically I am. I'm familiar with it because a bunch of my friends are tradesmen and I work with them everyday but not so sure about all of the details. You can find good info here: http://www.tradesecrets.org

My trade is regulated by the federal government and we basically have a system that goes by the amount of tickets you have and you're either a trainee, intermediate technician or a senior technician. I'm still intermediate after five years, I gotta get my ass in gear and get some more tickets!

For all of you guy's reading this who are having doubts about moving to Alberta, especially Canadians, just re-read the thread and especially look at what Irishman has done. He moved all the way from Ireland with a goal in mind and in the past couple of weeks its pretty much happened, things weren't always easy but he had realistic goals, determination and a positive attitude.

He also got me really hammered on Jager-bombs in Etown one night, so I have a very good impression of the guy.

I think he did it the right way, which was coming to Alberta and doing the following:
-Found a place to live soon after arriving, a room to rent in a house.

-Found a job to hold him over until something better came along, sure it was hard work and the pay wasn't huge, but it paid the bills and he was able to "have a life" in Edmonton.

-Wasn't in too much of a rush to get up north, actually this may not have been by choice as the rigs didn't pick up until recently. But I think that spending a solid 2-3 months in whatever you city you pick is a good thing so you get to enjoy the city a bit.

-Made friends in Edmonton and has a social circle, which includes a very cute waitress from a bar on Whyte Ave. This is priceless, having a girl waiting for you when you come off rotation, you don't want to be one of those guys wasting time and money in peeler bars on your days off, or worse, frequenting the city's seedy rub and tugs.

-BOUGHT A VEHICLE, even if it was a beater, the truck got him a job.

So again, guys, there isn't too much I can add to the thread that hasn't been said before although I will continue answering questions on here and I look forward to hearing from more of you guys about how your Alberta experiences are panning out.

Also, if you go back to the early pages I was going on about how last spring was going to be a busy shut down season, well it looks like this year will be similar. I know Suncor base plant is shutting down sometime around late February 90 days and Syncrude has one too.

So all of you guys thinking about making the move, March/April would be a great time to do so, good luck guys.

Scotian thanks a million. It is crazy to think that this one tread has had such an impact on my life. Thanks again man for all the info.

We were talking about it last night at work and a lot of the experienced guys here think that Canada is about to have another even bigger boom. I still find it funny that they don't consider it a boom right now even though what people are making and how much jobs are available. It is just so different back home. They have seen the cycles here before and think that once they get these pipeline projects up here sorted the place will be raining money.

For everyone reading this tread coming here- still just stay focused and pace yourself. I don't like posting too much about myself but I will give some background details. It took me over a year of planning/work just to get here once I had decided it was what I wanted to do. I worked hard back home in a call centre, pumping gas, teaching kids surfing etc. for a year just to save up enough to get over here. It wasn't always easy but it definitely taught me that you got to work for what you want.

I remember the day I landed here. I told myself I had one chance to make it here which wasn't necessarily true but insured that I remained focused and motivated. Since I have got here I have worked 5 different jobs to get to the one I am in now: landscaping, snow removal, bouncing at a club, working in a plywood factory, leasehanding and now being an MWD. I will make around 140,000 next year and 200k the year after. I still find it hard to believe that that is true. I was raised in a country where no one makes over 50k a year till they are at least 40. But still I haven't made it yet. My 500 dollar truck is parked right now between 2 other trucks that cost over 100,000 each. It has towels in one of the windows because I had to smash it after I locked myself out and haven't had the time to fix it cause I have been working so much. I get paid a month after I work in this job so still very much on a budget till then. But it is starting to feel like it is all coming together.

The point I am making here and in other posts is to be ready to work hard and do whatever it takes to reach your goal. If you can leave the ego aside when you land and just think about where it all leads you will make it big here. A good example is my plywood job. I would get up at 5am to take a bus that lasts an hour and then walk another 20 minutes just to get to work. Going home was worse because of the bus times. But it kept me going, built even more motivation and it definitely impressed my boss when I interviewed for this job.

I plan to be in a pretty good place financially by March. Pretty much 6 months after I arrive. Right like the post title says. The first time I will have been debt free since I was 19.

It doesn't have to be this hard for everyone or maybe it will be even harder but if you are reading this and want that kind of money and the options that go with it later in life it is definitely here for the taking.

My advice:

- Decide for sure if you are going to come here.

- Start sorting out your visa and then book your flights.

- Sell everything you can and save as much as possible before you arrive. Burn your bridges home as the old saying goes.

- In the meantime start researching what EXACTLY you want to do. Everyone I have meet here who is doing well knew what job they wanted before they came here. This doesn't mean posting up: 'I am a plumber, what can I do in Canada guys?'. It means ringing companies, googling everything, reading other forums, checking out job websites, what is needed, where I can do courses etc. etc. etc.

-Type it all up and also go back and read ALL of this tread and compress down the parts that apply to you. I very literally had scotians compressed posts in my pocket getting off the plane. And I also had changed them around so I could check them off in order. He has posted up all the things you need to know already to make it in some many different job areas.

-Settle in, find some friends, get any job straight away, figure out the city and the country if you are new to Canada

-For sure try get a girl on the go or 2. It has helped me a lot knowing I had a girl to hang out with on the rough days and kept me focused not having to chase new tail while I was trying to focus on work too.

-Be patient and take little steps daily towards the end goal. It might all happen fast but be prepared for if it doesn't happen straight away.

-Enjoy the experience. Life's a journey not a destination. It feels good to slowly watch your goals become reality and realise you can shape your own life.


If you post up here and show that you are self motivated and not just asking questions that Scotian has answered a couple dozen times before I will make try my best to help you out. I will try have a job lined up for you in Edmonton when you get here (maybe not the best job but something) and I will try meet you in person and give you some tips and show you around. People who PM me who have made no posts asking for me to make them a plan to success and do all their research for them I am not as likely to help. Its all here already guys, no excuse.

Scotain thanks once again. The only real reason I post on this tread is because reading what you posted really did give me a plan to change my life so I feel pretty grateful for that.

China is about to flood the oil sands with low paid trades and workers, 3000 this year alone. Opinions?

I think this is the end of $$$ at the oil sands and the Canadian economy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/20...enney.html

say goodbye to your jobs unless you like working for $10/hour

(12-12-2012 09:22 PM)BadWolf Wrote:  China is about to flood the oil sands with low paid trades and workers, 3000 this year alone. Opinions?

I think this is the end of $$$ at the oil sands and the Canadian economy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/20...enney.html

say goodbye to your jobs unless you like working for $10/hour

Key points from the article:

-They will accept only 3000 applications in the first year of the program (starting 2nd of January)

-The new program will give weight to applicants who already have a job offer in Canada or can prove they have recently worked in the trade and have a minimum of two years' experience or can show their occupation falls within the federal trade classification system

-The federal government will consult with the provinces to come up with a list of jobs where there are vacancies before January. The list is expected to include such trades as pipe-fitters, mechanics, transportation jobs and electricians

-Immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman said Monday that unless the government significantly reduces the language requirement for the skilled trades program, there will still be a major barrier to workers under the new program.
"Unless they make the (language) requirements very rudimentary it won't meet the objective," he said.

-The need for skilled tradespeople is particularly acute in Alberta. It's estimated the province will need 115,000 additional workers in skilled trades over the next 10 years.

-Sutherland believes the new program will be geared toward the kinds of jobs that Alberta desperately needs to fill, jobs that almost never got filled through the old system: "Pipefitters, welders, a lot of those skilled trades positions that are significantly in demand."

-But domestic sources won't be enough, he said, as by 2020 Canada will need an additional 320,000 skilled construction workers. "Only about half of those are going to come from domestic sources," he said. "So not that immigration is the total answer to our future labour challenges. It's an important part."

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Not too worrying I guess.

Opinions?