where ya based out of now Irishman? i am in the process of getting my electrical stuff finally sorted this end so should have my trade cert before i go out fas are bloody useless though.

(03-27-2013 05:35 PM)Portuguese Wrote:  Hi there finally got my Permanent Resident visa!!!!!!Arrive in toronto 13 april start working in a companie on the 15th!!!Take my drivers license,a few courses, earn good money and next year try to go to fort mac or edmonton!!!I am gonna work with a front loader and excavator too!!!If im not going to fort mac i will try fort nelson in the mines!!!!The prioritie is fort mac,alberta or calgary but if i can find something in the heavy operators i will try in BC then(got a cousin in Vancouver)!!!!!!!So this is my last 2 weeks in Portugal start organizing things couse my mind is already in Canada!!!I feel that i will at least try to work in the oil sands!!!I work with excavators 3/4 years ago(with 6 years experience) and since i found this thread my dream of working with some of the biggest machines in the word is now bigger then ever!!!!and if the dream come thru i hope to find and met some of the most influent persons in this forum!!!!(Sorry about my english,i can sepeak and understand better then writting)!!!!!!!

That's great mate since your have your PR why don't you do an apprenticeship? if i was you i would be a linesman i am an Irish electrician and have done a bit of lines work in the past here in Ireland. i believe its huge over in canada with it even having its own 4 year apprenticeship. i believe in canada the trade is called Power Lineman. it would be one i would be defiantly checking out if i was you. your so lucky not that your PR you have so many different apprenticeships to choose from i have checked out canada's apprenticeship training and it seems to be a great set up. unlike Ireland when we become redundant no help is giving to us at all. it seems canada is leading the front and training up top notch apprentices. Also you could be a construction plant fitter working on heavy duty vehicles defiantly check out the apprenticeship route. i just wish i had PR so i could do the linesman apprenticeship as there is no such apprenticeship here in Ireland. bar the esb and there registered as normal electrical apprentices.


I wish you all the best and be sure to keep us informed on how you get on

Good list of MWD companies that 'Pants' sent me in a PM

http://kyantonius.com/world-directional-...directory/

@ salmonfella

No I have never heard of tarpon energy but I wouldnt worry about people not knowing. There are 1000s of companies up here. Even in my own field I know about 10% of the companis.

I am interested in seeing how you do since I have a few close friends who are also Irish sparkies.

Ya etown is starting to get warmer. The jackets are coming off and girls are rocking the heels and skirts more.

Good time of year for people to start making the move here.

Hey guys so here's an updated post from me, the only reason I am typing all this up is to motivate someone like me who might take a shot at this!

So I basically packed up my shit back in Dec in Montreal after graduating from Uni. Got to Edmonton and found out I couldn't get into a trade cuz I am not a PR also not having an Alberta license meant no rig time for me either. But I quickly found out after a bit of networking that the city is not only hurting for tradesmen but there're ample opportunities for white collar work too. Within a week I had a good accounting position and was working in Downtown. But that wasn't the reason I moved all the way to Edmonton, didn't want to grind out 5-6 years to hit $100K. I wanted to do that in 6 months

So basically took the advice of a few great people here and took a pre-employment course and passed the exam. Right after I got hired by one of the biggest companies in my trade and just finished all my training with them. On Monday I am going to the Suncor Camps in Fort Mac for a shutdown and pretty sure would be coming back with some good coin. With taking a few more courses and passing some exams my trainer in the company told me hitting $150k is easy and $250-300k is also possible if you work like a dog. My goal is to work for the next 8-10 months and then go to see the world. With my previous life style I would've never dreamed of such a thing.

Also making a huge move like this has changed me for better, I think I have grown up more by shaking up my life in the past 6 months than I did by living like a zombie just going through the motions in the past 4 years. Everyday was a new opportunity and a new challenge here!!

The most important thing that I've learned from this experience which is much more significant than any monetary gains is that you DO have the power to change your life. If you're stuck in a turmoil and feel you can't get out, please remember the success stories from this thread. Accounts like these granted me the balls to quit my steady life in Montreal and then a good professional job to pursue my dreams.

Good day!!

p.s: I can't thank Scotian enough for all the guidance and help...also people like vacancier permanent, Nima also helped me a lot through their pm's and constant support

^^Can't thank you enough

^^^

That how its done folks. +1 from me dude. Well done

(03-28-2013 01:52 PM)Irishman Wrote:  @ salmonfella

No I have never heard of tarpon energy but I wouldnt worry about people not knowing. There are 1000s of companies up here. Even in my own field I know about 10% of the companis.

I am interested in seeing how you do since I have a few close friends who are also Irish sparkies.

Ya etown is starting to get warmer. The jackets are coming off and girls are rocking the heels and skirts more.

Good time of year for people to start making the move here.

Yea mate as long as you have your Irish trade cert it seems spark's do well we can work with the company for z number of months for a reduced rate and then when we feel ready we can sit the red seal exam and if ya pass that you will be laughing all the way to the bank

Good to hear about e-town mate if i ever make it up that far to ye i will meet ya for a few pints. i want to do a part time course in SAIT anyway.. have a 2 year visa so hopefully plenty of time..

Congrats the hustler glad it worked out for ya. it takes a rare breed to make the move glad you did its for the better i shall be joining the list in a few weeks all going well. Big thanks to scotian aswell great thread

(03-28-2013 05:36 PM)Thehustler Wrote:  Hey guys so here's an updated post from me, the only reason I am typing all this up is to motivate someone like me who might take a shot at this!

So I basically packed up my shit back in Dec in Montreal after graduating from Uni. Got to Edmonton and found out I couldn't get into a trade cuz I am not a PR also not having an Alberta license meant no rig time for me either. But I quickly found out after a bit of networking that the city is not only hurting for tradesmen but there're ample opportunities for white collar work too. Within a week I had a good accounting position and was working in Downtown. But that wasn't the reason I moved all the way to Edmonton, didn't want to grind out 5-6 years to hit $100K. I wanted to do that in 6 months

So basically took the advice of a few great people here and took a pre-employment course and passed the exam. Right after I got hired by one of the biggest companies in my trade and just finished all my training with them. On Monday I am going to the Suncor Camps in Fort Mac for a shutdown and pretty sure would be coming back with some good coin. With taking a few more courses and passing some exams my trainer in the company told me hitting $150k is easy and $250-300k is also possible if you work like a dog. My goal is to work for the next 8-10 months and then go to see the world. With my previous life style I would've never dreamed of such a thing.

Also making a huge move like this has changed me for better, I think I have grown up more by shaking up my life in the past 6 months than I did by living like a zombie just going through the motions in the past 4 years. Everyday was a new opportunity and a new challenge here!!

The most important thing that I've learned from this experience which is much more significant than any monetary gains is that you DO have the power to change your life. If you're stuck in a turmoil and feel you can't get out, please remember the success stories from this thread. Accounts like these granted me the balls to quit my steady life in Montreal and then a good professional job to pursue my dreams.

Good day!!

p.s: I can't thank Scotian enough for all the guidance and help...also people like vacancier permanent, Nima also helped me a lot through their pm's and constant support

^^Can't thank you enough

Serious respect dude.

Well done brother, well done! Congrats on making it happen!

(03-28-2013 05:36 PM)Thehustler Wrote:  Hey guys so here's an updated post from me, the only reason I am typing all this up is to motivate someone like me who might take a shot at this!

So I basically packed up my shit back in Dec in Montreal after graduating from Uni. Got to Edmonton and found out I couldn't get into a trade cuz I am not a PR also not having an Alberta license meant no rig time for me either. But I quickly found out after a bit of networking that the city is not only hurting for tradesmen but there're ample opportunities for white collar work too. Within a week I had a good accounting position and was working in Downtown. But that wasn't the reason I moved all the way to Edmonton, didn't want to grind out 5-6 years to hit $100K. I wanted to do that in 6 months

So basically took the advice of a few great people here and took a pre-employment course and passed the exam. Right after I got hired by one of the biggest companies in my trade and just finished all my training with them. On Monday I am going to the Suncor Camps in Fort Mac for a shutdown and pretty sure would be coming back with some good coin. With taking a few more courses and passing some exams my trainer in the company told me hitting $150k is easy and $250-300k is also possible if you work like a dog. My goal is to work for the next 8-10 months and then go to see the world. With my previous life style I would've never dreamed of such a thing.

Also making a huge move like this has changed me for better, I think I have grown up more by shaking up my life in the past 6 months than I did by living like a zombie just going through the motions in the past 4 years. Everyday was a new opportunity and a new challenge here!!

The most important thing that I've learned from this experience which is much more significant than any monetary gains is that you DO have the power to change your life. If you're stuck in a turmoil and feel you can't get out, please remember the success stories from this thread. Accounts like these granted me the balls to quit my steady life in Montreal and then a good professional job to pursue my dreams.

Good day!!

p.s: I can't thank Scotian enough for all the guidance and help...also people like vacancier permanent, Nima also helped me a lot through their pm's and constant support

^^Can't thank you enough

(03-22-2013 09:41 PM)Lux Interior Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 06:59 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 06:45 AM)Lux Interior Wrote:  

(03-21-2013 08:24 PM)vanisle Wrote:  Lux Interior, are you working a camp job?
I'm a Canadian journeryman carpenter and been trying for months to land a position.

Yea, I'm at Noralta at the moment, working on a powerline job between Voyageur and Suncor.

I hear the Unions in BC are terrible, I know one guy who payed his dues for 15 years in BC without ever as much as a phone call from the hall.
You need to come to either Calgary or Edmonton to join the halls there.
Plenty of work right now, Ironically enough they even have postings for jobs up at fort Nelson.

Are you staying at the Noralta camp at the top of supertest hill? If so, nice camp!

Yea, it's great. I'm in an executive room too, as requested by Suncor for all our crew.
Good location, good food and decent facilities.
Also a nice ratio of women to men......it must be about 20% women.

Man that's one of the top camps in Fort Mac, good to hear that you're staying there but don't expect that style of camp all of the time, your camp experience can only go down from there! Its also only 20-30 minutes from Fort Mac so if you want to make a quick run into the city, its no big deal, unlike the camps way up north past Fort Mckay or the ones down south near Conklin, remote shit holes.

(03-22-2013 10:13 PM)Damedius Wrote:  

(03-22-2013 05:20 AM)salmonfella Wrote:  

(03-21-2013 10:49 PM)Damedius Wrote:  

(03-21-2013 09:51 PM)rdvirus Wrote:  Well I'm all booked up finally.. Been talking about it for too long now, before I even found RooshV forum. Land in Calgary on the 28th... Next chapter of my life and I gotta say this thread definitely influenced me to get off my ass. Hasn't really hit me yet.. Leaving the Greater Toronto Area for more then a few weeks for the first time.

Much of the oilfield work is slowing down. I'm on the last job with my company in NWT. Should be back in Calgary the first week of April

However it is nearing the start of the shutdown season. Scotian knows more about this than I. However Ceda and Clean Harbours are good places to start.

Edmonton has more year round work in construction and trades. Red Deer is a good place to get a job with a well service company.

Are you based in the NWT on an oil rig? will be moveing to calgary in april from ireland meet up for a few scoops if you want then

No doing some exploration work.

It's coming to an end this year but next year will be expanding. Which means there will be rig work up here. Husky is a big player up here.

There is also the bonus of isolation pay. An extra 25% on my pay.

On a side note. The canadian budget was announced and had a $15,000 a year bonus for trade workers in certain trades. Hard to say how it will work since it supposed to be split between the employer and the government. Which means the company has to be willing to pay their half.

I'm not sure if those juicy tax breaks will apply to rig workers, although rig work is apparently an apprentice trade now, I'm not too sure, it likely won't apply to my trade.

25% bonus for isolation pay is insane, nice one, is that through the company or the Canadian government? I know that if you live above a certain latitude, you're able to complain certain tax benefits and that includes Fort Mac residents. I've never claimed them as I've always claimed residency in Etown, but I should change my address to Fort Mac, since I don't technically live anywhere, lol, life of a nomadic oil worker.

(03-27-2013 06:56 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Guys did any of ye ever hear of tarpon energy? there based out of Edmonton i have a Skype interview with them in the coming days for an electrician gig..there operating in the oil sands.

I've worked on sites where tarpon was active, can't recall which one but it was probably CNRL Horizon, non-union. Don't be too fussy, if they give you a job, take it and make some of that oil sands cash.

(03-28-2013 05:36 PM)Thehustler Wrote:  Hey guys so here's an updated post from me, the only reason I am typing all this up is to motivate someone like me who might take a shot at this!

So I basically packed up my shit back in Dec in Montreal after graduating from Uni. Got to Edmonton and found out I couldn't get into a trade cuz I am not a PR also not having an Alberta license meant no rig time for me either. But I quickly found out after a bit of networking that the city is not only hurting for tradesmen but there're ample opportunities for white collar work too. Within a week I had a good accounting position and was working in Downtown. But that wasn't the reason I moved all the way to Edmonton, didn't want to grind out 5-6 years to hit $100K. I wanted to do that in 6 months

So basically took the advice of a few great people here and took a pre-employment course and passed the exam. Right after I got hired by one of the biggest companies in my trade and just finished all my training with them. On Monday I am going to the Suncor Camps in Fort Mac for a shutdown and pretty sure would be coming back with some good coin. With taking a few more courses and passing some exams my trainer in the company told me hitting $150k is easy and $250-300k is also possible if you work like a dog. My goal is to work for the next 8-10 months and then go to see the world. With my previous life style I would've never dreamed of such a thing.

Also making a huge move like this has changed me for better, I think I have grown up more by shaking up my life in the past 6 months than I did by living like a zombie just going through the motions in the past 4 years. Everyday was a new opportunity and a new challenge here!!

The most important thing that I've learned from this experience which is much more significant than any monetary gains is that you DO have the power to change your life. If you're stuck in a turmoil and feel you can't get out, please remember the success stories from this thread. Accounts like these granted me the balls to quit my steady life in Montreal and then a good professional job to pursue my dreams.

Good day!!

p.s: I can't thank Scotian enough for all the guidance and help...also people like vacancier permanent, Nima also helped me a lot through their pm's and constant support

^^Can't thank you enough

Good job thehustler, best of luck up in the dirty old mac!

When I initially wrote this thread I never thought that so many guys would take the leap and actually move out west and do it, but I'm so happy to see that you guys are doing it.

I'm actually kind of jealous because you fuckers seem to be having an easier time than I had, as I've written about in this thread my first few months were a fucking nightmare and I ended up moving home with my tail between my legs. Luckily I met a guy at a random party who gave me the best advice of my life so I moved back out west and that's basically the same thing I'm doing here, with the advice giving, as Ricky says, "what comes around is all around"

I hope that all of you guys succeed in the move to Alberta and continue to update this thread and share your experiences, and for all of you guys sitting on the fence (especially you Canadian guys) just do it!

Anyway, I'm still chilling in SE Asia for another month or so and I'm still on the fence about moving to Australia to work or go back to Alberta. I've had half a dozen job offers in the past couple of weeks and they're hard to turn down but at the same time, I'm looking for something new.

I'll keep you guys posted, hopefully you all do the same!

Found this animation helped me understand the SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage) process. Open-pit mining doesn't work oilsands at depth. Pretty amazing stuff!

http://www.statoil.com/en/EnvironmentSoc...fault.aspx

(03-29-2013 07:04 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(03-27-2013 06:56 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Guys did any of ye ever hear of tarpon energy? there based out of Edmonton i have a Skype interview with them in the coming days for an electrician gig..there operating in the oil sands.

I've worked on sites where tarpon was active, can't recall which one but it was probably CNRL Horizon, non-union. Don't be too fussy, if they give you a job, take it and make some of that oil sands cash.

Oh god i wasn't being fussy at all just looking for info if i have to clean plates in camp to get some of that oil sand coin i will Cheers for the heads up

Hi TheHustler, what trade did you get in?

Came across this on an Irish forum just shows how bad Ireland has gone they expect trade qualified Irish electricians who's normal wage should be 22 euro per hour (28$) that's the union rate but our unions in Ireland are so bad. they expect us to work for 12.50 euro per hour (16$) i am so glad to get out of here they expect skilled electricians to work for 3 euro more then the minimum wage its a real kick in the balls for all the hard work over the 4 years we put in. Calgary how are ya

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthrea...p=71778475


I urge anyone whos reading this thread to make the move like i am doing. i understand its gonna be a big move i have never been outside of my own country for more the a few weeks. but its for the best to better myself and allow me to work hard and have a better life. i urge all of you guys to do it 2 if you have the chance too. Scotian, Irishman ,Vp, Nima ,john Mack,the hustler, and many others have made it and are doing great for themselves if your a hard worker if gives you the chance to do great things with your life. it might be a struggle but its only temporary why go through the pain of getting started and then give up.this thread has changed my life and if you want it too it will change yours. i look forward to seeing you guys in either Edmonton or Calgary

Came across this thread searching for information on Fort Mac. Been thinking of transferring there for awhile. I have what they say is the best job in the valley(southern Ontario), steady maintenance for 7 years, same company for 12. They keep making changes and now I am down to two-4 day weeks a month. Happy Fridays aren't so happy. I would be looking at a 11/3 shift through my current company, but I have a wife and 4 daughters and would have to live in Fort Mac. I can't calculate what my wages would equal because I know there has been some messing around with O/T hours with the unions out there. How do they calculate your pay on these types of rotations? Is it crazy to consider this move knowing that I would have to live in town? I see most of the guys here commute from Edmonton or Calgary- that won't be an option for me. Does anyone know how much you take home on a 11/3 shift for a union journeyman scaffolder? Having a hard time getting any answers anywhere else. Seems to be a guarded secret.

I could also leave my company and work union in northern BC. Anyone have an opinion on that? I hear there's lots of work there too...

This thread has been very helpful. It's the best oilsands info out there. It is definitely making me consider my options. Thanks.

(03-29-2013 07:01 AM)scotian Wrote:  I'm not sure if those juicy tax breaks will apply to rig workers, although rig work is apparently an apprentice trade now, I'm not too sure, it likely won't apply to my trade.

25% bonus for isolation pay is insane, nice one, is that through the company or the Canadian government? I know that if you live above a certain latitude, you're able to complain certain tax benefits and that includes Fort Mac residents. I've never claimed them as I've always claimed residency in Etown, but I should change my address to Fort Mac, since I don't technically live anywhere, lol, life of a nomadic oil worker.

It's through the company. I guess they have a hard time getting people to stay working up here.

Can anyone point me towards success stories of guys from the states making the move up there?

(04-01-2013 08:48 PM)vulcannomad Wrote:  Came across this thread searching for information on Fort Mac. Been thinking of transferring there for awhile. I have what they say is the best job in the valley(southern Ontario), steady maintenance for 7 years, same company for 12. They keep making changes and now I am down to two-4 day weeks a month. Happy Fridays aren't so happy. I would be looking at a 11/3 shift through my current company, but I have a wife and 4 daughters and would have to live in Fort Mac. I can't calculate what my wages would equal because I know there has been some messing around with O/T hours with the unions out there. How do they calculate your pay on these types of rotations? Is it crazy to consider this move knowing that I would have to live in town? I see most of the guys here commute from Edmonton or Calgary- that won't be an option for me. Does anyone know how much you take home on a 11/3 shift for a union journeyman scaffolder? Having a hard time getting any answers anywhere else. Seems to be a guarded secret.

I could also leave my company and work union in northern BC. Anyone have an opinion on that? I hear there's lots of work there too...

This thread has been very helpful. It's the best oilsands info out there. It is definitely making me consider my options. Thanks.

About $3500, roughly.
Most of the Union jobs in Fort Mac will provide you with Camp accomodation, some will even fly you back to Ontario every two weeks if you want.

(04-02-2013 02:02 AM)tarheel0230 Wrote:  Can anyone point me towards success stories of guys from the states making the move up there?

Read this entire thread and you will read many success story's from scotian who spent many years in college to flip over to a completely different trade and is now pulling 100 K plus a year. to Irishman who made the move from Ireland with one aim to succeed and he sure is doing that. but the thing is to remember you have to want to succeed canada gives us the chance to do that its up to yourself to do the rest some people will make it others wont it really comes down to how bad you want it. as i said read this who thread and you will be inspired i was.

(04-01-2013 08:48 PM)vulcannomad Wrote:  Came across this thread searching for information on Fort Mac. Been thinking of transferring there for awhile. I have what they say is the best job in the valley(southern Ontario), steady maintenance for 7 years, same company for 12. They keep making changes and now I am down to two-4 day weeks a month. Happy Fridays aren't so happy. I would be looking at a 11/3 shift through my current company, but I have a wife and 4 daughters and would have to live in Fort Mac. I can't calculate what my wages would equal because I know there has been some messing around with O/T hours with the unions out there. How do they calculate your pay on these types of rotations? Is it crazy to consider this move knowing that I would have to live in town? I see most of the guys here commute from Edmonton or Calgary- that won't be an option for me. Does anyone know how much you take home on a 11/3 shift for a union journeyman scaffolder? Having a hard time getting any answers anywhere else. Seems to be a guarded secret.

I could also leave my company and work union in northern BC. Anyone have an opinion on that? I hear there's lots of work there too...

This thread has been very helpful. It's the best oilsands info out there. It is definitely making me consider my options. Thanks.

I've never heard of an 11/3 shift, that sounds crazy, I know guys who work 10/4 and it sucks, you work 10 days straight, go back to Edmonton or Calgary and barely have enough time to unwind, get drunk and sleep in for a couple of day, then you're back to work. I much prefer 14/7.

You shouldn't have a problem finding a company that has 14/7 or 21/7 or similar shifts. If they only fly to Etown or Calgary then you'll have to pay your own flights home, there's multiple flight to Tdot everyday from both cities (Fort Mac as well) and if your employer isn't willing to pay, then you can claim some of the costs incurred on your taxes, here's some info about that: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2200/

Interessting graph showing how safe oil work is (summarized under "mining")
http://qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-cc3...50219b54e8

But what % of accidents is to do with the oil sands? a lot of them accidents would be on the oil rigs and a lot more in the actual underground mines.