Post: #426

(09-21-2012 01:42 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  I wasn't considering it until a friend of mine told me Suncor flew him out there for 2 days for an interview. They put him up in a hotel and gave him a rent a car. No he is not some big oil exec, just a regular joe.

Seems like half of Ontario is starting to make the move to Alberta.

I see Ontario plates on cars out here everyday and meet lots of guys on job sites from there too, it must suck for you guys because you`ve never had to move, Ontario was always the place that people moved to!

Post: #427

(09-21-2012 11:15 AM)?Kick Wrote:  

(09-18-2012 03:21 AM)scotian Wrote:  Glad to hear that you've arrived in Etown Irishman, sounds like things are going well so far, I'm sure you'll do well, keep us posted with your progress. I'll be down in Edmonton October 13th for a couple of weeks, if you're not already working out of town, we'll have too meet up for some drinks.

You're gonna have a posse waiting for ya scotian! Think there's 3 of us so far (me, Djemba and Irishman), vp is coming out too. Be prepared to drink, and drink, and drink some more! I just hope none of us will have to work the next day.

And for everyone that's thinking about making the move or is on the fence, if you have some bank roll saved up (~3-4k), just do it! I might have mentioned it already, but it's the best decision I've ever made. Also, since there's a couple of us out here now, it's not like you'd have to roll dolo

Anyone I meet up with in Alberta who wants to thank me for this thread can do so by buying me a cold pint of Alexander Keith`s IPA, or ten!

Post: #428

Got my H2S Alive ticket today.
Got my Zoomboom ticket a few days ago.

I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan though. I know somebody who lives here and they said I could crash here and not have to worry about rent and all that. I had $900 or so on me but I still came here.

I've heard there are lots of jobs in Estevan, Saskatchewan also!

I also learned that CSTS is called SCOT now.

At the H2S Alive place I met a lot of dudes already working. Different people told me different things. Most told me H2S Alive is enough. But I'm thinking of doing a constuction safety ticket. Not sure which trade to get into. Any input guys?

Post: #429

(09-21-2012 09:13 PM)23Billion Wrote:  Got my H2S Alive ticket today.
Got my Zoomboom ticket a few days ago.

I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan though. I know somebody who lives here and they said I could crash here and not have to worry about rent and all that. I had $900 or so on me but I still came here.

I've heard there are lots of jobs in Estevan, Saskatchewan also!

I also learned that CSTS is called SCOT now.

At the H2S Alive place I met a lot of dudes already working. Different people told me different things. Most told me H2S Alive is enough. But I'm thinking of doing a constuction safety ticket. Not sure which trade to get into. Any input guys?

I`d recommend getting a job on a busy construction site to get some hands on experience and see what its like, do some networking, ask different tradesmen questions about their job, etc. Most importantly, save some money!!! Once you have some money banked then you can switch jobs and hopefully figure out what you want to do.

Honestly the hardest decision about working in the resource sector is figuring out what you want to do. Try to pick something that you can see yourself doing for at least a few years, before moving on to something else, or maybe something you could see yourself doing long term, also look at careers that aren`t limited to geographical areas, that you can do in any city.

You can`t go wrong with the building, or craft trades: welder, pipefitter, electrician, crane operator, diesel mechanic, etc.

Sask is booming with oil, gas, potash, uranium, etc. should be lots of work there for years to come and any skill you pick up there can be used in other areas like Fort McMurray.

Sorry to hear that you have to live in Regina bud, good luck!

Post: #430

Hey man.

Yeah I'm leaning towards something like crane operator!! I went to the union office in saskatoon and they told me I have to be working for 30 days minimum before I can submit an application to become a union member.

I'm in Regina and I have already seen more "now hiring" signs in less than a week than I remember seeing in toronto in so long!!

Post: #431

(09-21-2012 08:11 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(09-21-2012 01:42 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  I wasn't considering it until a friend of mine told me Suncor flew him out there for 2 days for an interview. They put him up in a hotel and gave him a rent a car. No he is not some big oil exec, just a regular joe.

Seems like half of Ontario is starting to make the move to Alberta.

I see Ontario plates on cars out here everyday and meet lots of guys on job sites from there too, it must suck for you guys because you`ve never had to move, Ontario was always the place that people moved to!

A friend was telling me recently he knows 8 families that have made the move in the last 2 months. I believe there is a quiet migration which of course the media is not addressing.
Ontario sucks right now for jobs, good luck finding one that pays.
I am giving this some serious consideration.

Post: #432

My flight is booked. I'll be there shortly.

I'll fill you guys in soon

Post: #433

I'll be in Edmonton in October.

Post: #434

(09-21-2012 10:35 PM)23Billion Wrote:  Hey man.

Yeah I'm leaning towards something like crane operator!! I went to the union office in saskatoon and they told me I have to be working for 30 days minimum before I can submit an application to become a union member.

I'm in Regina and I have already seen more "now hiring" signs in less than a week than I remember seeing in toronto in so long!!

Crane operator is a great trade, although it involves sitting around doing absolutely nothing for long periods of time, oh well, that's what Iphones are for.

Post: #435

(09-21-2012 10:46 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(09-21-2012 08:11 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(09-21-2012 01:42 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  I wasn't considering it until a friend of mine told me Suncor flew him out there for 2 days for an interview. They put him up in a hotel and gave him a rent a car. No he is not some big oil exec, just a regular joe.

Seems like half of Ontario is starting to make the move to Alberta.

I see Ontario plates on cars out here everyday and meet lots of guys on job sites from there too, it must suck for you guys because you`ve never had to move, Ontario was always the place that people moved to!

A friend was telling me recently he knows 8 families that have made the move in the last 2 months. I believe there is a quiet migration which of course the media is not addressing.
Ontario sucks right now for jobs, good luck finding one that pays.
I am giving this some serious consideration.

I think the Ontario Liberal government invested heavily in green energy projects like wind farms and solar plants, they also shut down some coal fired electrical plants. I'm all for alternative energy but Canada is a natural resource extraction based economy, always has been, and this is where the jobs are at.

I wish I was down in Edmonton so I could meet all you guys, I'm stuck in a camp up near Conklin (AKA butt-fuck nowhere).

Post: #436

Hey man.

I talked to a few guys and one crane operator with over 30 years of experience. He told me that there are literally no kobs if one is not in a union. He basically told me that no company will ever hire a non-unionized crane operator.

I am just gathering info right now. I will do whatever feels right in my gut though.

Should I do thr First Aid ticket also? I think H2S Alive is enough for me. I need to make some cash before I can spend it on taking a crane operator course. I also do have the Telehandler/Zoomboom ticket.

Post: #437

(09-21-2012 10:35 PM)23Billion Wrote:  Hey man.

Yeah I'm leaning towards something like crane operator!! I went to the union office in saskatoon and they told me I have to be working for 30 days minimum before I can submit an application to become a union member.

I'm in Regina and I have already seen more "now hiring" signs in less than a week than I remember seeing in toronto in so long!!

I'm a mobile crane operator in Vancouver . Its sweet but you have to be mentally aware all the time . Get a pirate flag on your truck , chicks love it .

Post: #438

(09-23-2012 12:26 AM)23Billion Wrote:  Hey man.

I talked to a few guys and one crane operator with over 30 years of experience. He told me that there are literally no kobs if one is not in a union. He basically told me that no company will ever hire a non-unionized crane operator.

I am just gathering info right now. I will do whatever feels right in my gut though.

Should I do thr First Aid ticket also? I think H2S Alive is enough for me. I need to make some cash before I can spend it on taking a crane operator course. I also do have the Telehandler/Zoomboom ticket.

I want to add a word about unions, for those who haven't worked for or with unions before. I have a lot of experience with them in the States, not in Canada, but I'm betting they're pretty similar.

Unions are tough. They tend to be very insular, distrustful, and completely seniority-based. Meaning that they're gonna take the senior machine operator's nephew before they take you. Or the slacker son of the local rep with one month more seniority than you will have access to tons of overtime you can't get. When there's plenty of work to go around, things can be good, but when it gets tough, expect to be sitting on your ass or getting the worst jobs and no OT.

Infighting within unions can be as bitter and draining as any political battle you can imagine. The seniority thing can really weigh on you if you're the type who expects to be rewarded for working hard (unions tend to reward you for doing just as much as necessary, no more).

Then there's the embitterment with management. If you're on the white collar side of things, these guys can make your life hell if you rub them wrong.

And try getting a job as a non-union member in a local's home turf - they'll run you off quick, and not gently.

I'm not debating the necessity of unions - if it weren't for them, no doubt that management would be raping the average blue collar guy even more than they already do. Unions ensure that their members get very necessary benefits and protections, and add some counterbalance to too-powerful company heads. But remember, they can quickly turn against you and you'll find yourself blacklisted in your field.

Best advice I can give - until you build up trust (and this takes a long time), keep your mouth shut as much as possible and don't get baited. Take it for what it's worth, show respect to the older guys, and stay the hell out of the management/union battles.

Post: #439

I went to the Operating Engineers Local 870 union office in saskatoon. I asked them if it would be easier to join if I know somebody or somebody refers me. The guy told me its nothinh like that. I have to be working for at least a month and then I could join. My only aim is to join them short term if possible.

Personally I am against unions. If I ever get into politics I will do my best to destroy them all. They have outlived their time. Unions have not prevented the outsourcing of jobs and serve the interests of a small section of the population at the expense of the majority.

I understand the situation with unions. Joining a union is not part of my long term plan.

I plan on getting a job, making money and getting out.

I also have been looking at getting tractor trailor/truck driving license but I was told it could cost up to $2000.

Anyway, I am looking for any camp job right now and once I get in I will plan accordingly.

Post: #440

I'm a proud union member and am glad that I belong to one because of the better pay, better benefits and my pension. I also like the fact that on a job site, the guys stick up for each other; there's a lot of camaraderie and we watch each others backs whether its a safety issue or management issue.

I've also worked non-union in my trade and honestly, that was the best company I ever worked for because it was a small operation, about a dozen employees, we only did small jobs around the city of Calgary.

Now that I'm working on these big huge mega projects run by multinational oil companies (worked for Conoco Philips, Total and Suncor in the past two weeks) with thousands of men on-site (union and non), I can say that I prefer union work.

I've worked with the non union companies who fly guys in from eastern Canada (including many guys I went to school with in NS) and pay them $10 less an hour, those guys think they've got it good but drives down our wages out west, where living expenses like a house are much costlier.

Also, non union contractors employ a lot of the temporary foreign workers and they treat them like shit, again, a Filipino welder who works for $22/hour and lives in a two bedroom apartment with 3 other guys doesn't know any better, he thinks he has it made. The companies love them because a Filipino doesn't say no, he just does the job, many of them don't come from the same industrial safety culture that we have in places like the USA, Europe,etc.

I'm pro oil sands development (obviously) and pro foreign workers (although I'd rather they stay and bring their families to Canada instead of sending all their money out of country), but I've read to0 many stories about how some oil companies treat their workers.

This is what I mean: http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2009/04...ontractors

I worked at that site for two years and am glad to be back at a UNION site now

I stayed at this camp two years ago and got FUCKING SCABIES, it was so dirty!!! It was in the news because a union electrician took pics and blogged about it, the oil company (Suncor) had him banned from site for this. Here's a mutli-billion dollar company that can't give its fly in/out guys decent clean rooms, hygenic food and then a bunch of them get infections, WTF? I left there quick to say the least, you can read all about it and see the videos here:

http://adhdcanuck.wordpress.com/2010/08/...camp-zone/

Suncor has since built a new camp complex out there, its actually very nice.

I know unions can be sketchy but honestly in ALberta, its so busy and everyone is working so much (for now) that I don't pay too much attention to the politics, I take my money and run!

peace

Post: #441

Hey man that was an informative post.

In terms of the camp situations I thought this was Canada and the government did its job in terms of public safety and safe work conditions. I guess I was wrong. I do agree there is always strenght in numbers and unity, but I disagree with the unions being so exclusive at times.

I believe in a strong govt and a regulated society where the govt puts public safety and value for life and dignity above everything else. I don't understand why Canada needs to bring in temporary foreign workers when the unemployment rate here is around 7%. Why not train the unemployed Canadians and put them to work? And after that bring in as many temp foreign workers as possible.
I am also pro immigration. Anyway sorry for trolling and back to the topic.

Scotian man somebody told me that truck drivers bring in $8 gr and a month! Is there any truth to that?

If its worth it then I will spend the $2 grand on training for truck driving once I have the funds.

Post: #442

Quick question:
I'm going to be flying to Edmonton later this week or next week at the latest. Regarding the safety tickets (H2S Alive, CSTS etc...), would I be better off doing them prior to getting to E Town or just do them once in E Town? Also, if I were to do them in E Town, do I need to register in advance for them or can I just register the day before? Where would I go to take the courses in Edmonton?

Thanks guys!

Post: #443

(09-24-2012 03:30 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Quick question:
I'm going to be flying to Edmonton later this week or next week at the latest. Regarding the safety tickets (H2S Alive, CSTS etc...), would I be better off doing them prior to getting to E Town or just do them once in E Town? Also, if I were to do them in E Town, do I need to register in advance for them or can I just register the day before? Where would I go to take the courses in Edmonton?

Thanks guys!

http://www.firstaidsafetytraining.ca/h2s...course.php

Don't register too early as there is no real need and keeps you flexible on dates. Every course I took had extra space. I am after doing the First Aid, WHMIS, H2S Alive and the CSTPST Courses. They are nice to deal with and the building is comfortable. Register for your first one after 2 days before after you get here and then just talk to them when you are there.

Looks like a nice crew is starting to form!

Got my first Canadian lay last night too. Thanks Kick for introducing her. She has kinda slowed me down on the job-seeking front this morning haha. Can't wait to get a job sorted so I can party proper on my time off. This city has a load of talent around Whyte ave and the Uni alone. Plus I find it a great city for day game as you go around looking for work.

Post: #444

Thanks Irishman for chipping in. Btw, Irishman and those currently in E town, are you guys staying at the hostel that was mentioned here before? Is it the H Hostel or something? Btw, how is your job hunting going so far? Are you getting a lot of good and hot leads? Are you getting a good vibe from the people you talk to at the companies about jobs there? I'm just waiting to take care of a few things here first before flying to E Town. Can't wait to join you guys!

Btw, went to the enform.ca site and registered for the PST (Petroleum Safety Training) course online and I'm going through it right now. very interesting and informative course to say the least.

Post: #445

Hey Alberta Rooshmen, does Halliburton have a large presence up there?

Post: #446

(09-24-2012 07:04 PM)raliv Wrote:  Hey Alberta Rooshmen, does Halliburton have a large presence up there?

I see a lot of there jobs advertised but I have always got shot down when applying with them. Someone like Scotian will know more but I find them quite elite and very hard to get in with unless you have a lot of relevant experience. Plus they take like 2 months to get back to you.

Post: #447

(09-24-2012 12:03 AM)23Billion Wrote:  Hey man that was an informative post.

In terms of the camp situations I thought this was Canada and the government did its job in terms of public safety and safe work conditions. I guess I was wrong. I do agree there is always strenght in numbers and unity, but I disagree with the unions being so exclusive at times.

I believe in a strong govt and a regulated society where the govt puts public safety and value for life and dignity above everything else. I don't understand why Canada needs to bring in temporary foreign workers when the unemployment rate here is around 7%. Why not train the unemployed Canadians and put them to work? And after that bring in as many temp foreign workers as possible.
I am also pro immigration. Anyway sorry for trolling and back to the topic.

Scotian man somebody told me that truck drivers bring in $8 gr and a month! Is there any truth to that?

If its worth it then I will spend the $2 grand on training for truck driving once I have the funds.

That was a bit of a pro-union rant on my behalf and I used two extreme examples of how shitty it can be in northern Alberta, but I don't want to give the impression that those types of situations are the norm, the aren't, at all. Thankfully most of those shitty old camps are being replaced by new, modern ones. The death of those two Chinese workers was during the crazy boom time and shouldn't have been allowed to happen but it did, hopefully it doesn't happen again.

Overall, the union thing isn't a really big deal and Alberta is the least unionized province of Canada. For the most part, provincial and federal rules ensure the job sites are safe, and with the labour shortage, most employers treat their guys well. There aren't too many labour strikes in Alberta because if a welder or fitter is making 150K/year, he doesn't have too many complaints.

The reason that we have high unemployment in some areas, especially the east and a labour shortage in the west is because too many young people are afraid to get their hands dirty in a trade and are brain washed by teachers and guidance counselors that university is the only way to go. I fell into that trap too, I wish someone had told me back in 2001 that if I took a trade I'd be making double or triple what a teacher makes.

23billion you sound like me before I moved out west, I remember someone told me that their cousin was clearing $1500 a week and I thought that was crazy. Well now if I cleared $1500 a week It had better be because I only worked 3 days, my biggest one week cheque was $5500 cleared, $3-4000 is normal.

I don't want to talk you out of driving a truck if that's what you want to do but you'll make more as a crane operator or any other craft trade.

Post: #448

(09-24-2012 03:30 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Quick question:
I'm going to be flying to Edmonton later this week or next week at the latest. Regarding the safety tickets (H2S Alive, CSTS etc...), would I be better off doing them prior to getting to E Town or just do them once in E Town? Also, if I were to do them in E Town, do I need to register in advance for them or can I just register the day before? Where would I go to take the courses in Edmonton?

Thanks guys!

I'd say just do them in Edmonton, set aside 2 or 3 days to get your H2S and CSTS tickets, find a training place near transit stops and go from there. The HI hostel near Whyte Ave is a 10 minute walk to the U of A LRT (rail) station, lots of bus stops around too.

Also, the HI hostel is literally a block from Whyte Ave and all the bars, get to know Etown a bit and hang out, meet some people after a long day of job hunting.

Post: #449

(09-24-2012 07:04 PM)raliv Wrote:  Hey Alberta Rooshmen, does Halliburton have a large presence up there?

They're big in drilling towns like Red Deer and Grande Prairie, I don't see them too often in Fort Mac but have seen them at the SAGD drill sites south of Fort Mac. I know that they have a big shop in Nisku which is south of Edmonton, so to answer your question, yes they're up here, not sure how big they are though.

Post: #450

Just went out for a smoke and met a guy from Mexico and a guy from India, both temporary foreign workers, they both work for an Edmonton based company that installs liners in oil tanks, of course for your guy's benefit I asked if they're hiring and they said yes, here's the info:

Layfield Environmental Systems: http://www.layfieldenvironmental.com/pag...x?id=10429