Man I'm stupid sometimes, just noticed I spelled scotian wrong in my previous post. sorry man!
I would also like to thank all other contributors from this awesome thread.
I've read all 44 pages over the past month.
Thanks again everyone.

(03-01-2013 12:09 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Just joined to say thanks to scotion. I'm from Vancouver Island BC and hope to make it over soon. I'm a JM carpenter with red seal and did my CSTS. I'm hoping for a camp job as I own a house here on the island and have a family so would prefer to keep my base here. I applied (online) for over 45 positions almost 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything. Is this a bad time of year for camp work as a carpenter? How long does it usually take to hear back from these guys once you apply? Why can't you wear white or green hard hats?

Thanks again for the write up scotion. Found it through google while researching work in the oilsands.

Sorry for spelling your name wrong scotian...I'm a fucking idiot.
Big thanks to all other contributors as well!

(03-01-2013 12:09 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Just joined to say thanks to scotion. I'm from Vancouver Island BC and hope to make it over soon. I'm a JM carpenter with red seal and did my CSTS. I'm hoping for a camp job as I own a house here on the island and have a family so would prefer to keep my base here. I applied (online) for over 45 positions almost 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything. Is this a bad time of year for camp work as a carpenter? How long does it usually take to hear back from these guys once you apply? Why can't you wear white or green hard hats?

Thanks again for the write up scotion. Found it through google while researching work in the oilsands.

I thought the white hard hat thing was because they signified the site foreman.

If I were you I would talk to the Carpenters Union in Edmonton.
http://www.albertacarpenters.com/
They should handle all the jobs for Northern Alberta. I would also apply to the list of contractors Scotian posted on the first couple pages of the thread if you haven't already. There is lots of work in the Edmonton area. You could try basing yourself out of their temporarily till you get some connections to get a camp job.

(03-01-2013 12:09 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Just joined to say thanks to scotion. I'm from Vancouver Island BC and hope to make it over soon. I'm a JM carpenter with red seal and did my CSTS. I'm hoping for a camp job as I own a house here on the island and have a family so would prefer to keep my base here. I applied (online) for over 45 positions almost 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything. Is this a bad time of year for camp work as a carpenter? How long does it usually take to hear back from these guys once you apply? Why can't you wear white or green hard hats?

Thanks again for the write up scotion. Found it through google while researching work in the oilsands.

Dude, they be plenty of camp jobs where you are. You checked JV Driver's?

http://www.indeed.ca/jobs?q=carpenter&l=...h+Columbia

(03-01-2013 12:49 AM)paddy wagon Wrote:  Scotian,

I'm a new member, and have been reading
the threads for the last couple months.
I appreciate all the info you and the others contribute.
In the U.S. I work as a stationary engineer in a waste water
plant. We can work Maintenance or operations.
I work maintenance and would describe it as the same
type of work as a Millwright would do at a oil sands plant.
Conveyors, pumps, grit collectors, welding, fabricating etc...
I'm a journeyman and am doing some home work on the possibility
of working up there in the future. I have a few questions that i
would like to ask.

I talked to a union agent from the millwright local and he said they have about 25% of the representation up there. I also see this C.L.A.C 'union'
and it sounds more like a 'company union' I have read things like the CLAC did away with double time and don't seem to represent there
members the way the locals do, any insight on this?

Could you also describe how the pay structure works i have a seen
time and a half on fridays and double on weekends does that still exist?
Thanks again for all the contributions

Your JM ticket should get you into the country under the skilled worker program, may take sometime though. You're a millwright eh? I'm not overly familiar with the companies that employ millwrights but I knwo of two offhand who I've worked around before, Bula (http://www.bula.ca/) and DCM group (http://www.dcmgroup.ca/en/), so try cold calling them to see what they say.

CLAC is big in the oil sands and they are a bit of a sham union but they have the majority of the work up there and employ a lot of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). They pay less and provide less benefits than the traditional unions but working for them is still pretty good, I have several friends who are CLAC members and they seem happy. I've worked on many projects with CLAC members and they don't differ so much as union workers, although they do sometimes put up with shittier work conditions because they don't really have shop stewards or union reps, there isn't a lot of fraternal solidarity there.

The pay for CLAC members is straight time for the first 8 hours and time and a half thereafter, Monday to Friday. Weekends and holidays are all time and a half, and the employers contribute to employees RRSP plan (Canadian version of 401K), not sure if TWFs qualify for that.

So good luck getting into Canada, sounds like you have the experience and skill set that is needed in Alberta, keep us posted on your progress.

(03-01-2013 12:09 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Just joined to say thanks to scotion. I'm from Vancouver Island BC and hope to make it over soon. I'm a JM carpenter with red seal and did my CSTS. I'm hoping for a camp job as I own a house here on the island and have a family so would prefer to keep my base here. I applied (online) for over 45 positions almost 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything. Is this a bad time of year for camp work as a carpenter? How long does it usually take to hear back from these guys once you apply? Why can't you wear white or green hard hats?

Thanks again for the write up scotion. Found it through google while researching work in the oilsands.

White hat= management/safety
Green hat=new hire

Your best bet is to just come to Alberta for a week or so, hit up Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and Fort Mac and apply in person, resume in hand. For whatever reason, employers don't seem to reply to emails as enthusiastically as they do in person.

Honestly, I don't really run into too many carpenters on the big jobs sites up north for the simple reason that in a mining or refinery operation, there isn't much wood around, everything is made of steel and concrete. The only wooden structures would be the camps and they don't take too long to put up and once they are built, there isn't much maintenance involved.

I'm sure there's work out there for carpenters though, check out the big construction firms that are into all aspects of building: PCL, Clark Builders, Bird construction, etc.

Also, check out the camp companies that build the camps: Noralta Lodge, Canada North Camps, PTI, Atco, etc.

Hey everyone - this thread is great - thanks a lot to Scotian, Irishman, and all the rest who have provided so much information and access to a great opportunity.

I'm currently in Ottawa making $12.90/hr with my M.A. degree - so I've decided to take the plunge and head out west to look for opportunity. I'm a little worried about lacking a drivers license - looks like I'm going to have to wait a year before even having the intermediate class 5. I hope this doesn't handicap me too badly in finding something - it looks like the rigs won't be an option until that happens.

The big question right now is Edmonton or Calgary? I've read through and it seems like people have been able to succeed in both markets - I don't remember seeing a robust pros/cons list for both cities. Really looking forward to meeting everyone out there - it will be nice to have some quality wings!

Anyone centrally located in either city looking for an extra housemate at the moment?

no mate but i am moving to Calgary in 4 weeks from Ireland to follow the same game plan

(03-02-2013 02:52 PM)stardust Wrote:  Hey everyone - this thread is great - thanks a lot to Scotian, Irishman, and all the rest who have provided so much information and access to a great opportunity.

I'm currently in Ottawa making $12.90/hr with my M.A. degree - so I've decided to take the plunge and head out west to look for opportunity. I'm a little worried about lacking a drivers license - looks like I'm going to have to wait a year before even having the intermediate class 5. I hope this doesn't handicap me too badly in finding something - it looks like the rigs won't be an option until that happens.

The big question right now is Edmonton or Calgary? I've read through and it seems like people have been able to succeed in both markets - I don't remember seeing a robust pros/cons list for both cities. Really looking forward to meeting everyone out there - it will be nice to have some quality wings!

Anyone centrally located in either city looking for an extra housemate at the moment?

Rent is cheaper in Edmonton. Meaning more money to save. Calgary is prettier though.

(03-02-2013 10:19 PM)RossTan Wrote:  

(03-02-2013 02:52 PM)stardust Wrote:  Hey everyone - this thread is great - thanks a lot to Scotian, Irishman, and all the rest who have provided so much information and access to a great opportunity.

I'm currently in Ottawa making $12.90/hr with my M.A. degree - so I've decided to take the plunge and head out west to look for opportunity. I'm a little worried about lacking a drivers license - looks like I'm going to have to wait a year before even having the intermediate class 5. I hope this doesn't handicap me too badly in finding something - it looks like the rigs won't be an option until that happens.

The big question right now is Edmonton or Calgary? I've read through and it seems like people have been able to succeed in both markets - I don't remember seeing a robust pros/cons list for both cities. Really looking forward to meeting everyone out there - it will be nice to have some quality wings!

Anyone centrally located in either city looking for an extra housemate at the moment?

Rent is cheaper in Edmonton. Meaning more money to save. Calgary is prettier though.

Edmonton seems to have more jobs for trades people. It is also close to Nisku. Which is a great place to drop off some resumes.

Calgary is probably warmer being closer to the mountains.

Irishman are ya still in canada if so how ya getting on? miss reading about your process hope your still making good coin

Hey guys I was just wondering is there a lot of camp jobs for tradesmen? I have a hookup for a camp job in Alberta doing a shitty job like kitchen work or janitorial work to get out there but I want to get into a trade. Only if its a camp job though, I dont want to rent a place and work that would defeat the purpose of me going out there.

Amazing thread, thanks to Scotian and all the ppl contributing. Scotian I wanted to know if you worked or ran, or know any power engineers (Also known as Operating Engineers or Power Plant Operators) out there in the oil sands or around the Edmonton area ??

I'm currently taking a PE course in Ontario but my goal was always, and still is to get a position out in the oil sands preferably a FIFO camp job or around Edmonton. Also I wondered if to be a to get into Instrumentation Tech do you have to take a course or can you get in an union and get into an apprenticeship with no experience?

(03-02-2013 02:52 PM)stardust Wrote:  Hey everyone - this thread is great - thanks a lot to Scotian, Irishman, and all the rest who have provided so much information and access to a great opportunity.

I'm currently in Ottawa making $12.90/hr with my M.A. degree - so I've decided to take the plunge and head out west to look for opportunity. I'm a little worried about lacking a drivers license - looks like I'm going to have to wait a year before even having the intermediate class 5. I hope this doesn't handicap me too badly in finding something - it looks like the rigs won't be an option until that happens.

The big question right now is Edmonton or Calgary? I've read through and it seems like people have been able to succeed in both markets - I don't remember seeing a robust pros/cons list for both cities. Really looking forward to meeting everyone out there - it will be nice to have some quality wings!

Anyone centrally located in either city looking for an extra housemate at the moment?

If I were you, I'd move to either Calgary or Edmonton and get a place near the LRT line and just find any job, you'll be able to make more than what you're currently making, trust me.

Getting your driver's license should be your #1 priority, until you get that, I wouldn't expect to land a lucrative job in the trades or on the rigs but apply anyway, you may luck out.

Focus on making contacts with people in Calgary or Etown, building a social circle, meeting girls, etc. I would say give yourself 6-12 months, or however long it takes to get your license.

(01-27-2013 05:45 PM)Ferro Wrote:  I just got back from my first 2 week camp rotation as a labourer and feel that I should flesh out what I have learned from the experience and maybe add some extra insight and recommendations regarding this great opportunity scotian has shown us. I will cover what I have learned from preparing for the journey all the way to coming back from my first rotation.

This is what I did from the perspective of a Canadian living in Ontario moving out to Calgary looking for a Fly In / Fly Out camp job in Ft Mac:

1. Read this entire thread, paying special attention to and copying posts from scotian and other posters that are actually up here and have experience. Almost everything I read from the experienced posters here has rung true. And a lot of what I am writing was mentioned earlier.

2. Try to decide what trade will best fit you (consider your interests, pay, safety, repetitive injuries, etc.). Though if you are smart you will learn a lot your first rotation no matter what job you get and will be able to pursue the best trade for yourself later. I started off thinking Electrician was my best bet, but now figure Instrumentation tech is a better match for me.

3. Figure out if you want to live in Ft Mac or get a Fly In / Fly Out job and from what city (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, etc). I visited both Calgary and Edmonton and decided Calgary was worth the higher costs of living for me. Some people even choose to stay in hostels during their time off to save even more money, but that comes with many disadvantages as well.

Also change your cell phone number to one in your target city before you leave.

4. When your boots hit the ground in your target city (I will relay my experience in Calgary) hit either HI or Wicked hostels and use it as your base.

To save the most time follow these instructions in this order:
A. Buy a PO box at a convenient location close to where you plan to live.
B. Change your online banking account address to your PO box address and then print out a statement.
C. Take the statement to a licensing facility and use it as proof of residence in order to get an Alberta driver's license and health card (I am still amazed this actually worked).
D. Get your H2S, CSTS, Standard 1st Aid, and OSSA tickets. This will take about three days. Let your company pay for Fall Protection, etc. if you need it later.
E. As you are getting your tickets and applying, be sure to explore your city and figure out where you want to live (and the best areas for daygame).
F. Once you have your tickets, cell phone number, and po box. Put them all on your resume (make it a resume that a foreman would like). Also say you have a class 5 driver's license and a clean abstract. Then print out around 30 resumes from a quality printer service.
G. Use google maps and an iPhone or Android phone to plot the locations of all the contractors mentioned in this thread. A smartphone is worth its weight in gold here.

5. Start by visiting unions of the trades you are interested in. They are a great source of leads. The Electrician's union gave me a great tip to ask for a starter's position instead of an apprentice position, where the only difference is a piece of paper and you are much more likely to get in as a starter.

6. Then you should hit the concentrated downtown contractors offices. You can hit all of the ones listed in this thread for Calgary in one day if you start at 9 AM. I personally just asked for a fly in fly out job to Ft. Mac as a starting Electrician, and that I would take a labourer position to get my foot in the door if I had to. I applied at the worst time of the year (just before Christmas), but ALMOST EVERY company I talked to said they could get me what I wanted if I came back in January.

7. As for the companies on the outskirts of downtown, fuck em. I wasted my first two days trying to apply to them, with one day only being able to reach three by bus. Someone said earlier that you don't need a car to hit them, well fuck that. If for some crazy reason you didn't land a job from applying in downtown, I would recommend you use Car2Go to rent a smart car very cheaply for the day to hit the rest of the contractors.

8. I got an offer from a downtown contractor that started a month later, but it had everything I wanted, including grossing just over $100k. I am as green as grass in this industry, so I took it to get my foot in the door and am glad I did. I got the job within 3 business hours of applying.

9. Camps. I read horror stories of the camps before I left, but it turns out most of those were older camps that have been shut down. My camp was just as scotian described them. Everything down to laundry detergent is provided and the food is pretty good. Having your own room is great even if you have to share the washroom with one other person (some sections have their own though). If the gym was a little more starting strength friendly I would rate my camp experience (an average camp as rated from more experienced guys) a 9.1/10.

10. Labourer position. I did some temp work before I flew here to get some extra cash. If assembly line work is a 1/10 and QA work is a 2/10, then being a labourer is maybe a 6/10. It is not nearly as bad and hard as I had expected. In fact if they let me use my headphones and listen to audiobooks I might rate it a 9 (I will ask when I have more clout, as others do it). I work with a surprisingly great crew and can expect an apprentice position to come my way in less than 3 months. If you are not sure about your chances of getting work as an apprentice or starter, then don't be afraid to take a labourer position.

11. Highway 63. I drove to and from Ft. Mac twice. Once during a sunny day with dry roads, and another time in bad slippery conditions with multiple deaths in the preceding days. The first time was actually nice, so don't be afraid to take the journey when there is no snow/ice. The second time was the worst driving experience of my life. I would highly recommend taking flights if your company will cover all of it (mine just gives a monthly travel allowance, so I would rather pocket some of it). If you cannot fly then I would recommend taking the bus on a seat near the back so you will be less likely to get crushed. Highway 63 is no joke. It is quite literally gambling with your life, with multiple deaths in the days preceding.


That is all I can think of relaying to you guys right now. I just want to emphasize the importance of having a smartphone with a data plan and gps in the job hunting phase. Get a used iphone or one of the new $300 Google Nexus 4 phones; it should pay for itself in time and frustration saved.

One area where I lack knowledge and want to learn more are of the shutdown seasons that scotian describes, where from what I understand you mostly just sit around waiting to do work in a nice climate (which would be a great time to learn Russian and pipeline girls in your home city). I hope to learn more about this kind of opportunity as I progress.

I want to once again thank everyone that provided helpful content to this thread and especially scotian for showing us this great opportunity. Everything had turned out even better than I imagined jumping into this. I am very very happy where I am right now, and where I see the future heading. I will use this great cashflow to fuel my life travel desires and then eventually finish my Uni degree.

How the hell did you change your license with a simple print off? I went to TD bank and had them print me a statement and stamp it and everything. My new address is right at the top. They still didn't accept it. They want something that was mailed to me like a utility bill or even a bank statement that was mailed.

It's pissing me off big time. Trying to figure out how I can convince the registry people. I guess I'll make a last ditch effort by going to my bank tomorrow and asking them to overnight me a statement or something looooool

I know we can drive with an out of province license for 90 days, but I have an interview on Friday and I don't want the guy to make an issue out of this.

Am I allowed to work with an out of province license temporarily?

(03-04-2013 07:02 PM)Jay_Bird Wrote:  Hey guys I was just wondering is there a lot of camp jobs for tradesmen? I have a hookup for a camp job in Alberta doing a shitty job like kitchen work or janitorial work to get out there but I want to get into a trade. Only if its a camp job though, I dont want to rent a place and work that would defeat the purpose of me going out there.

You're being far too picky. I would go with the camp job, even if its slicing pickles in a kitchen, you'll be making decent money and you can make contacts with tradesmen and managers and find a trades job.

Most of us who move out west don't just walk into a trades job right away, unless you already have a hook up, it will be difficult. Most of the guys who have moved to Alberta are renting in Calgary or Edmonton and all of us start out as labourers/trainees, it isn't until you prove yourself that you will be offered an apprenticeship in a trade.

I worked in Calgary and Edmonton for two years gaining work experience and certification before I secured a camp job up north. There's tons of unskilled labour looking for the elusive camp jobs who are already in Alberta, why would a company hire a guy like you from out of province when they already have so many knocking at their door?

(03-04-2013 08:06 PM)Fuego Wrote:  Amazing thread, thanks to Scotian and all the ppl contributing. Scotian I wanted to know if you worked or ran, or know any power engineers (Also known as Operating Engineers or Power Plant Operators) out there in the oil sands or around the Edmonton area ??

I'm currently taking a PE course in Ontario but my goal was always, and still is to get a position out in the oil sands preferably a FIFO camp job or around Edmonton. Also I wondered if to be a to get into Instrumentation Tech do you have to take a course or can you get in an union and get into an apprenticeship with no experience?

There's lots of power engineers employed throughout Alberta, every oil sands operation has them as do all of the plants in Alberta's "Industrial Heartland", Fort Saskatchewan. Plenty of opportunities for FIFO jobs or Edmonton based. I"m not too sure about the instrument tech course or if you can just join the union, call the union or NAIT to find out.

Nima, yes you can work with an out of province license, most of the east coasters who do FIFO from Fort Mac keep their licenses from Nfld, NS or wherever, shouldn't be a problem.

Only thing that I will warn you about is that the Alberta registry will take your old driver's license and won't give it back, they'll issue you a temporary paper license and this can't be used to get into bars or buy smokes so make sure that you have an alternative piece of ID such as a passport.

(03-04-2013 01:30 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Irishman are ya still in canada if so how ya getting on? miss reading about your process hope your still making good coin

Hey man, ya doing well. Ill get an update up soon. Been pretty hectic lately so havnt been posting much. Are you all ready for the move?

Good to hear bro pretty much 2 year visa in the bag a few labourer jobs ready been hitting up all the oil rig company's got some good feedback arrive mid April in Calgary gonna get my license sorted and my safety tickets update my cv send it round to the oil rig company's and just hopefully wait. gonna get work labourer to tie me over be good to get to know some peeps before i head to the rigs. great to hear your busy dude and i await the update i just hope many more people follow your plan it seems us irish just go and chance it others seem hesitant to do the same

(03-05-2013 11:51 PM)Nima Wrote:  How the hell did you change your license with a simple print off? I went to TD bank and had them print me a statement and stamp it and everything. My new address is right at the top. They still didn't accept it. They want something that was mailed to me like a utility bill or even a bank statement that was mailed.

It's pissing me off big time. Trying to figure out how I can convince the registry people. I guess I'll make a last ditch effort by going to my bank tomorrow and asking them to overnight me a statement or something looooool

I know we can drive with an out of province license for 90 days, but I have an interview on Friday and I don't want the guy to make an issue out of this.

Am I allowed to work with an out of province license temporarily?

I had the same issue when I did the registry. Showed them a stamped letter showing my address, still didn't take it. I also got my PO box set up that same day, so I showed them those papers and they accepted that. SO you may wanna try setting up a PO box and show them those papers.

(03-04-2013 01:30 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Irishman are ya still in canada if so how ya getting on? miss reading about your process hope your still making good coin

Ya to be honest I had stopped contributing to this particular thread. Fair play to Scotian for always updating with solid info but for now I don't really have to much more to add of value that has not been said before.

To update; My job is going great. I worked around 26 days in Jan, 15 in Feb and think Ill end up working over 20 days this month.

Spring break up is approaching fast though so I will be off for 6-8 weeks very soon although I have a feeling that I might get work right through that period but will have to wait and see. If not I am going to try for bar or cafe work. Something social to meet some people around Edmonton.

My social life has been suffering a bit from working so much out of town.

As for conditions at work it could not be much easier. I bought some gym gear that fits in the back of my truck nicely so I work out everyday before work. I am doing as much reading as I can and try to make the most of my time. So far I have done maybe 10 minutes work in the last 6 hours. It is crazy how easy this job is although it is kind of a bad thing- very little job satisfaction and not much interaction with other people. One thing that is huge is you have to get along with the people you do interact with very well. There are 4 of us living in a shack for 2 weeks straight so got to be smart about not annoying anyone and keeping on good terms.

For my last two weeks off I did a week in Edmonton and a week in Calgary.If you have time when you arrive do a week in the Calgary HI Hostel. I was busy during the days so didn't hang around the hostel but I still managed to meet a lot of people there and had some great nights out. Went out three nights with people from there and went home with girls from the hostel 2 of those nights. Didn't sleep with either though- got cockblocked by a friend the 1st night and the second girl got way too drunk so I let someone else deal with it. I am texting the second girl right now though so it should happen soon.

There is a lot of talent around and the hostel is way more relaxed then Edmonton. I hear the hostel in Baniff is better again...Just buy some drinks, grab a seat in the kitchen and talk to everyone. Hostel game 101 really.

Oh ya the rock climbing walls in Calgary are OVERFLOWING with talent. Like crazy amounts. If you live in Calgary go to the indoor rock climbing walls. Hot friendly super fit girls everywhere haha.

I am getting my flat sorted for April 1st so will be based more out of Edmonton then. I have been homeless since Dec 1st at the moment although it has been a lot of fun.

Once I get settled I am going to have to work on getting some ladies on the go again. This year so far has been below par. Lots of numbers and club makeouts but its been hard to convert those to lays. The girls here are more challenging then back home so I am still having to adjust my game. The in/out of town set up is hard on your game and I have still to give online game a proper go.

While before girls would naturally be attracted to and part of my lifestyle and social circle here its hitting the pavement and working the bars. But that's life and you learning to adjust your game is always good in the long run. Summer is on the way though so will be expecting to step up my game big time!

Any questions before you arrive Salmonfella?

A typical great post from Irishman just great. its good to hear Calgary has such a good nightlife to offer and that the chicks are game that indoor climbing wall sound like a good spot to hang haha.. its good to hear your busy i have been writing to all the oil rig company's there breaking up march 20 and some will be recruiting at the start of may for there summer operations. so i have a few numbers saved that i will ring when i get over i am lucky as a lot of company's i wrote too are actually emailing me back. yea i will probably take a week to get my H2S alive ticket, first aid and PST tickets so i will deffo check out some areas as well and i wanna sit the pro license and get my Irish driving years counted so i can get my class 5 and then i should be good to go for the rigs just need the start then so i have a bit to do in the first couple of weeks but i am looking forward to the challenge and it should be good.thanks for the information dude and all the best
Ross.

Yea that's good the way you have gym gear in the truck i am hitting the gym now trying to get in proper shape for the hard rig work as i say it will take a lot out of ya and trying to get a good diet in place.

Hey folks,
it's been a while i didn't write on the forum so i finally quite my job bought my ticket and made the move a month ago from Montreal to Edmonton
first week :
i went couch surfing the first week 1 day in Leduc and moved the 2nd day to Edmonton i had a room lined up for me before moving to Edmonton so i ended up renting the room with the host family , the people i met the first week through friends connections and networking were really cool and helpful
i did my H2S and First aid for around 130$ each then i found out i could have done it for free if only i knew the right person so i ended up doing CSTS , PST, OSSA whmis for free 2 weeks later
i got screwed for my GDL they have different regulations from one province to another i started my drivers's lessons classes in Quebec had few months left before i would have a class 5 they told they don't recognize ''courses'' so i have to start from scratch which will take 12 month to even get a probationary license which SUCKS big time
i started a temp job the 2nd week to pay the bills before started applying in the oil industry, then i had a job after doing insulation
so my advice to the new comers other then the ones that have been mentioned by Scotian, Irishmen , Pitt, Djemba etc

1- you can do your tickets for free instead of paying between 100$-130$ per ticket (if i only knew that before coming)
2 weeks before you come you need to call one of Alberta's employment agencies Bissel i.e or (access emploi if you speak french) book an appointment with a counselor as soon as you get here it takes 45 min tell him you want to work in the oil industry he'll write you a paper to give to the institution which covers the fees
2- i know this has been said before but you NEED to buy a car asap , i can't tell you guys how shitty the public transit system is
if you don't have a valid driver's license like me you are fucked big time lol ....but here are some tips to help
download ETS planner on ur phone , the bus 590 goes to Nisku and Leduc peak hours only at 6am and starting from 5pm to 7pm from mon to Fri only
if you have experience apply online sometimes it take the whole day just to go for 2 interviews using the bus
3-stay away from placement agencies they usually have temp work for 1 day or 2 and ill send everybody home once they are done with you cleaning shit in some warehouse
4-the most important thing is
if you do an interview and the recruiter tells you that you are hired but they will call you to tell when you are gonna start do not stop looking for a job( i can't believe how unprofessional some of the HR people in some companies when dealing with labourers
even in other not related big companies like Rogers and Bell etc ) the reasons why i said this is , first they are in hiring process if they find someone more qualified he's gonna get your job second sometimes they want to prepare candidates for a job that will start in 2 month i.e
so you have 2 options either keep looking for a job if you find something better go for it , or tell them to sign a job confirmation and give it to the Alberta employment agency and you can get welfare for it until you start which i don't recommend
i know people who had job offers and never started and i got screwed once i got the job, i did the background check , all the interviews and the day when i went to sign for the drug test she told me the order from the company got canceled and they don't need any employees for now , one other time the guy told me to wait a day and after the meeting he'll call me back for the starting date , he got transferred to Calgary i called back ended up starting 2 weeks later for a shitty job in the middle of nowhere

so finally the entire move is up to you it can go both ways depends on your qualifications, experience, the time of the year you make the move and especially meeting the right person (recruiter) at the right time

not having a car or a valid DL i feel like i'm already not qualified for 80% of the jobs on sites , rigs etc

for the guys who are planning on moving this video sums up pretty much life in Alberta haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrHQxvsOW8E

Yesterday was the last day to apply for the canadian visa. They had 3 dates to do this. I never noticed that you only had one hour to apply for the visa for those 3 dates. So yesterday after the applications open, i registered on the site and then went to eat something real quick. When i get back to finish filling in all my personal details, they close the applications, im like wtf.

Basically my option right now is to wait for 2014 applications or i may just ''mexicanize'' a way to work in Canada. If shit gets tougher here, im moving there no matter what.