[Neo]

(01-26-2012 01:05 AM)scotian Wrote:  

I graduated with a BA after 5 years of uni in 06', I worked at a call centre getting bitched at people whose cell phones were smarter than them, at $12/hr, I made $24G in 07' back east.

I took a chance and moved to Alberta with $1500 to my name took a 12 week pre-employment at a community college (look up Lethbridge college,SAIT,Red Deer College, NAIT, Keyano college).

08' grossed 65K- 10K in pension 2 months layoff AKA party! (remember when oil plunged big time?)
09' grossed 80- 13k in pension 3 weeks vacation (in the middle of the worst recession in decades, I couldn't get any more time off work we were so busy!)
10'(started working in Fort Mac) -grossed 120K 22K in pension 5 weeks off
11-Grossed around 135-140K, forget pension (25K?), 3 months off!

Guys those numbers are low, I took some easy low paying (good experience though) jobs for lifestyle reasons, I know many guys in Fort Mac who are MACHINES and work 24 on 4 off ALL YEAR (maybe 1 or 2 weeks off, max!), and gross 250-350K, power to those guys but I don't think its really worth it to work that much, I'd rather work 6 months and take my 100K then peace out!

Damn I'm giving you guys some handy intel here, I wonder how many will make the move?

I just hope that guys, especially Canadians, who think about moving out, or know someone who is interested, will do so, I'd love to work with more people who read forums like this and have similar interests and less meat heads like these guys (from the movie FUBAR):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iZqfzQmr...re=related (that plant is Syncrude, you can see the camp at 0:17)

"The workers comp hustle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBAmItGEx...re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mceMfWmJp...re=related

Those videos accurately reflect the types of shit heads I work with on a regular basis!

Great info scotian. I'd jump on this in a second. I just got laid off, and there's shit around here for jobs. Thing is I'm American, so if I need a trade to get in and work there I'd have to pursue that first. I actually like blue collar work and growing up my dad and relatives that's all they did.

I got a decent chunk of money saved, so if I need courses I can take them. Any more info you can give let me now. Like if you have American friends up there ask them what they did to get in. Ill take a look at those sites, and apply for the fuck of it.

I found this link too don't know if it's been posted:

http://www.fortmcmurrayonline.com/jobs/welcome.aspx

[CJ]

Wow, thanks again Scotian! That's really going out of your way to help. This is great info, and could be what I need to get my career back on track. I was a little apprehensive to make the jump to Asia with YMG, but I'm very comfortable with Canada. I wonder if all the time I spent in Windsor between the ages of 19 and 20, will count for anything? All jokes aside, hopefully you'll be seeing me up there sooner than later.

[MiXX]

(01-26-2012 01:05 AM)scotian Wrote:  

I took some easy low paying (good experience though) jobs for lifestyle reasons, I know many guys in Fort Mac who are MACHINES and work 24 on 4 off ALL YEAR (maybe 1 or 2 weeks off, max!), and gross 250-350K, power to those guys but I don't think its really worth it to work that much, I'd rather work 6 months and take my 100K then peace out!

True. True. I myself have taken lesser paying jobs at times because I really am at a stage in my life where money is no longer a priority for me - I got plenty, so now, at age 37, I just sustain myself with EASY gigs that facilitate 3-4 months off per year without breaking a sweat or worrying about $$$ when I am NOT working.


I was a corporate slave for many years, chasing a carrot on a stick corner office, a fine secretary I could not touch, and over 500k base annual salary - fuck that, no more.

4 month easy gigs/4months off is definitely the life for me!


Mixx

[Alfonzo]

We need more buisness,money thread . That's what I have to improve more . It seems we have all pass in the same dead end .

[sheesh]

(01-27-2012 11:31 AM)MiXX Wrote:  

I was a corporate slave for many years, chasing a carrot on a stick corner office, a fine secretary I could not touch, and over 500k base annual salary - fuck that, no more.

500k...chapeau. What field are you in ?

I'm currently making slightly above 50k Euros annually before taxes as an MD in Germany - 1 year out of university. Always looking for other options, lol.

[w00t]

nice intel scotian!
do the companies do drug-tests?

[MiXX]

(01-27-2012 04:27 PM)sheesh Wrote:  

(01-27-2012 11:31 AM)MiXX Wrote:  

I was a corporate slave for many years, chasing a carrot on a stick corner office, a fine secretary I could not touch, and over 500k base annual salary - fuck that, no more.

500k...chapeau. What field are you in ?

I'm currently making slightly above 50k Euros annually before taxes as an MD in Germany - 1 year out of university. Always looking for other options, lol.

Music, Television, owned 3 technology consulting businesses.

Mixx

[scotian]

(01-28-2012 05:40 AM)w00t Wrote:  

nice intel scotian!
do the companies do drug-tests?

Yes they do, you will be required to pass a pre-employment urine analysis drugs test as well as an alcohol test.

Basically, don't smoke pot for 3-4 weeks (depends on body type) and you'll be good to go (there's ways around this!).

Also, they do "post incident" testing, so if you trip and break your ankle, you'll be tested, hit something with your truck, you'll be tested and (this one is the worst), if someone hits you (say you're in a parked truck and they back into you), you all have to be piss tested!

Its not something I really agree with, as it tends to push guys away from pot (which I consider to be less harmful than booze) and into harder drugs like crack, meth and Oxys, which leave your system in a couple of days.

Of course its best not to do any drugs, but if you must, its wise to partake when you're NOT at work, especially in an industrial environment!

[Anon-A-Moose]

any idea on getting in if you're a heavy equipment operator? And do they usually frown on short-term labor? I have a job I want to pursue in July, though, if something like this worked out, I'd not bother.

[scotian]

(01-28-2012 01:33 PM)Anon-A-Moose Wrote:  

any idea on getting in if you're a heavy equipment operator? And do they usually frown on short-term labor? I have a job I want to pursue in July, though, if something like this worked out, I'd not bother.

Dude, there's LOTS of work for heavy equipment operators, LOTS, LOTS, LOTS!!! I'm not sure what tickets you need exactly but on EVERY job sites there's a need for guys who run excavators, dozers, bobcats, front end loaders. They also run the world's largest dump trucks up there, its like driving a massive house!

Check out these companies for more info: http://www.nacg.ca/
-http://www.thompsonbros.com/
-http://www.finning.ca/
-www.michelscanada.com

Here's a job just for you: http://www.smartrecruiters.com/smartrecr...t-operator

Apply to that one soon, closing date in Jan 31st!!!

Employers are generally cool if you want to work for a couple months then take time off, as long as you give them enough notice so as not to fuck them over, and you are a decent employee, they will take you back. I've jumped ship a few times over the past 4 years, no big deal.

There you go, all the info you need to get a job in the oil sands, damn I should be charging people for this!!!

[metalhaze]

Thanks for the info Scotian, much appreciated.
However most of these jobs seem to require some sort of certification and 3-5 years of experience. do they train you on the job however? I guess it aint hard to get the certifications? I'm in my late 20s, live in montréal and have a degree in business...I'm sick of paying high taxes here but the lifestyle is so good and fun. What opportunities are there for me? I work in the banking sector as a project coordinator.

best

[scotian]

(01-28-2012 04:19 PM)metalhaze Wrote:  

Thanks for the info Scotian, much appreciated.
However most of these jobs seem to require some sort of certification and 3-5 years of experience. do they train you on the job however? I guess it aint hard to get the certifications? I'm in my late 20s, live in montréal and have a degree in business...I'm sick of paying high taxes here but the lifestyle is so good and fun. What opportunities are there for me? I work in the banking sector as a project coordinator.

best

Check out the website of the major oil sands companies: Suncor, Syncrude, CNRL, Shell, Total, Statoil, MEG Energy, Cenovus, Husky, etc.

They all require financial types, there are some decent gigs up there like 7 days on 7 off, flights back to Edmonton or Calgary.

If you're looking for a career change and getting into the trades, there are MANY different options, not all require experience, the better one do though.

My advice to ANYONE would be to take an entry-level position at one of the various companies I listed above which DO NOT require ANY experience. Spend a couple of months out there, look around, see if you like it and go from there.

Once on site, if you have decent social skills and are a half decent worker, you can network, meet other people and go from there. As I've said many times in this thread, the bar is low, its not hard to impress potential employers and move onto something better, everyone does it!

Good luck!

[metalhaze]

thanks scotian. I would guess you mean entry positions in the camps in fort McMurray which would lead to better pay.
btw I also noticed that not all positions provide housing on camps. seems that rent in F. mcmurray is insanely high.

btw what about entry office position such as administrative assitant ? (I'm overqualified)
like this one (I've seen similar admin assistant position for most big oil companies in calgary and in F. mcmurray)
http://www.statoil.com/en/Careers/JobOpp...49114.aspx

Peace!

[scotian]

(01-28-2012 06:33 PM)metalhaze Wrote:  

thanks scotian. I would guess you mean entry positions in the camps in fort McMurray which would lead to better pay.
btw I also noticed that not all positions provide housing on camps. seems that rent in F. mcmurray is insanely high.

btw what about entry office position such as administrative assitant ? (I'm overqualified)
like this one (I've seen similar admin assistant position for most big oil companies in calgary and in F. mcmurray)
http://www.statoil.com/en/Careers/JobOpp...49114.aspx

Peace!

Yes that looks like a decent gig and a perfect example of a job for a guy like you who has a business background, start there and move up, QUICK! Trust me, I can't stress it enough, you WILL advance quickly if you have half a brain in your head!

This is a 40 hour/week gig, suitable for someone who lives in Fort Mac (4 10 hour shifts, every weekend is a long one!) and yes, rent is insanely high there (NYC prices) basically its $800-1000 for a bedroom in a house, the last place I was staying at was a 1200 Sq Ft furnished condo and my company was paying $3500/month for it!

Its up to you but I would prefer to work shift in Fort Mac camps (say 2 weeks on, 1 off) and live in a half decent city like Calgary or Edmonton.

Keep looking around, try some of the major oil sands contractors too (especially for shut down work- big money in short time): Jacobs, FT Services, DCM construction, KBR, Transfield Services, Ledcor, Canonbie, Aecon, Lockerbie and Hole, Quinn Contracting, BFL Construction, PCL, Enerflex, etc.

Also, you can try some drilling companies, they also have work in Fort Mac and other areas of AB,BC and Sask: Precision Drilling, Nabors Drillling, Trindad Drilling, etc.

Cold call, e-mail, etc. Get in touch with the HR people and see what they have to say, there's lots of options and now is THE BEST time to make your move (next 3-6 months).

[xmlenigma]

Mixx - Would love to talk to you, pick your brains sometime. I've had my share of Mgmt, Strat, Ops & Tech consulting. I'd like to connect with you to get a bearing on how I could move into a similar space: 4 on/ 4 off...

(01-27-2012 11:31 AM)MiXX Wrote:  

(01-26-2012 01:05 AM)scotian Wrote:  

I took some easy low paying (good experience though) jobs for lifestyle reasons, I know many guys in Fort Mac who are MACHINES and work 24 on 4 off ALL YEAR (maybe 1 or 2 weeks off, max!), and gross 250-350K, power to those guys but I don't think its really worth it to work that much, I'd rather work 6 months and take my 100K then peace out!

True. True. I myself have taken lesser paying jobs at times because I really am at a stage in my life where money is no longer a priority for me - I got plenty, so now, at age 37, I just sustain myself with EASY gigs that facilitate 3-4 months off per year without breaking a sweat or worrying about $$$ when I am NOT working.

I was a corporate slave for many years, chasing a carrot on a stick corner office, a fine secretary I could not touch, and over 500k base annual salary - fuck that, no more.

4 month easy gigs/4months off is definitely the life for me!

Mixx

(01-28-2012 09:04 AM)MiXX Wrote:  

(01-27-2012 04:27 PM)sheesh Wrote:  

(01-27-2012 11:31 AM)MiXX Wrote:  

I was a corporate slave for many years, chasing a carrot on a stick corner office, a fine secretary I could not touch, and over 500k base annual salary - fuck that, no more.

500k...chapeau. What field are you in ?

I'm currently making slightly above 50k Euros annually before taxes as an MD in Germany - 1 year out of university. Always looking for other options, lol.

Music, Television, owned 3 technology consulting businesses.

Mixx

[xmlenigma]

(01-28-2012 06:33 PM)metalhaze Wrote:  

thanks scotian. I would guess you mean entry positions in the camps in fort McMurray which would lead to better pay.
btw I also noticed that not all positions provide housing on camps. seems that rent in F. mcmurray is insanely high.

btw what about entry office position such as administrative assitant ? (I'm overqualified)
like this one (I've seen similar admin assistant position for most big oil companies in calgary and in F. mcmurray)
http://www.statoil.com/en/Careers/JobOpp...49114.aspx

Peace!

What kind of $$$ are such 'Document / Admin / Co ordinator" jobs paying? I have a close buddy who I'd like to guide in this direction.

[speakeasy]

+1 rep for Scotian from for providing such generous info. Damn man, you've actually got me thinking about this shit. I'm at a bit of crossroads period in my life where I'm looking for some sort of change but not sure where to go or what to do next. The idea of making 6 figures in half year is awesome. I could probably put up with shitty conditions and do blue collar work with no girls around if I was getting paid phat like that. Wouldn't do it forever. But I have zero blue collar background and really have no skills that are transferable into something like that. Also I'm 35 and I don't know if they're looking for really young bucks out of high school or what.

Mixx, that's some serious scratch, that's like Wall St money. I think you said you grew up working class on the streets of NYC. I'd love to hear you break down how you went from that to making half a mil a year. Like what it took to get there.

[misterstir]

I just want to clarify a few things.
1. Your tax rate will be provincial + federal + local. so the 26-29% + 10% in alberta = 39%. Really alberta is unsually low tax as far as Canada goes. Quebec top tax rate I believe is almost 60%. And Ontario is about 50% and on par with european welfare states. Even comapred to the so called 42% dutch rate, you can see Alberta's 39% rate is not a huge improvement, you're still going to pay lots of taxes. Compare that to US where obama is paying 26% and romney 15%.

2. I'm skeptical of what Scotian says about finding a job being easy for a new guy with no experience. I'm not calling him a liar or nothing like that. I just think it might be easy for him as an experienced plumber to find work. This is because in Canada, it is easy to find jobs for people with 3-5+ years of work experience in any given. However if you have no work experience but just school in general it is very difficult to find a job, for whatever reason Canadians do not like to hire inexperienced people. Even new doctors and new lawyers have lots of trouble finding work here. Even for entry level jobs you will need to have worked 3-4 internships in university to get a good job. Often these same employers who refuse to hire Canadian university grads then turn around and claim they cannot find any qualified talent and demand immigrant workers, who ironically they refuse to hire because they claim they have no Canadian experience or poor language skills (no shit sherlock, wtf do you expect). On the otherhand, it can see logical that if you have all these jobs, and lack of people/workers, it only make sense that you have lots of jobs. Probably the last boom province in canada besides saskatchewan.

Anyways, despite my skepticism, I think this is nonetheless I great datasheet with lots of good information, good job Scotian

[pitt]

(01-29-2012 02:26 AM)misterstir Wrote:  

I just want to clarify a few things.
1. Your tax rate will be provincial + federal + local. so the 26-29% + 10% in alberta = 39%. Really alberta is unsually low tax as far as Canada goes. Quebec top tax rate I believe is almost 60%. And Ontario is about 50% and on par with european welfare states. Even comapred to the so called 42% dutch rate, you can see Alberta's 39% rate is not a huge improvement, you're still going to pay lots of taxes. Compare that to US where obama is paying 26% and romney 15%.

2. I'm skeptical of what Scotian says about finding a job being easy for a new guy with no experience. I'm not calling him a liar or nothing like that. I just think it might be easy for him as an experienced plumber to find work. This is because in Canada, it is easy to find jobs for people with 3-5+ years of work experience in any given. However if you have no work experience but just school in general it is very difficult to find a job, for whatever reason Canadians do not like to hire inexperienced people. Even new doctors and new lawyers have lots of trouble finding work here. Even for entry level jobs you will need to have worked 3-4 internships in university to get a good job. Often these same employers who refuse to hire Canadian university grads then turn around and claim they cannot find any qualified talent and demand immigrant workers, who ironically they refuse to hire because they claim they have no Canadian experience or poor language skills (no shit sherlock, wtf do you expect). On the otherhand, it can see logical that if you have all these jobs, and lack of people/workers, it only make sense that you have lots of jobs. Probably the last boom province in canada besides saskatchewan.

Anyways, despite my skepticism, I think this is nonetheless I great datasheet with lots of good information, good job Scotian

Always good to hear a different perspective.

I guess the wages that can be made in Canada oil fields can also be misleading. If for example, you are making 125k per year, you will probably end up with only 75k after taxes, right? (the 75k is not a realistic number, i didnt do the taxing calculation but you get the point).

[scotian]

(01-29-2012 02:26 AM)misterstir Wrote:  

I just want to clarify a few things.
1. Your tax rate will be provincial + federal + local. so the 26-29% + 10% in alberta = 39%. Really alberta is unsually low tax as far as Canada goes. Quebec top tax rate I believe is almost 60%. And Ontario is about 50% and on par with european welfare states. Even comapred to the so called 42% dutch rate, you can see Alberta's 39% rate is not a huge improvement, you're still going to pay lots of taxes. Compare that to US where obama is paying 26% and romney 15%.

2. I'm skeptical of what Scotian says about finding a job being easy for a new guy with no experience. I'm not calling him a liar or nothing like that. I just think it might be easy for him as an experienced plumber to find work. This is because in Canada, it is easy to find jobs for people with 3-5+ years of work experience in any given. However if you have no work experience but just school in general it is very difficult to find a job, for whatever reason Canadians do not like to hire inexperienced people. Even new doctors and new lawyers have lots of trouble finding work here. Even for entry level jobs you will need to have worked 3-4 internships in university to get a good job. Often these same employers who refuse to hire Canadian university grads then turn around and claim they cannot find any qualified talent and demand immigrant workers, who ironically they refuse to hire because they claim they have no Canadian experience or poor language skills (no shit sherlock, wtf do you expect). On the otherhand, it can see logical that if you have all these jobs, and lack of people/workers, it only make sense that you have lots of jobs. Probably the last boom province in canada besides saskatchewan.

Anyways, despite my skepticism, I think this is nonetheless I great datasheet with lots of good information, good job Scotian

Mistirstir, what you say about the job market and hiring practices is very true in MOST Canadian cities, but Fort McMurray really is its own little world and guys can find decent paying jobs with absolutely NO work experience. Check out the careers sections of some of the companies that I listed:

CEDA: http://www.cedagroup.com/index.html , click on "2012 CEDA jobs", you'll see that they are hiring labourers (these are positions for inexperiened guys), they will also pay for flights, training, camp accommodation, meals, etc.

Same for United Safety: http://www.unitedsafety.net/ , right on their career section of the website they say that they will hire inexperienced guys for upcoming work this spring.

Those are just two companies, pretty much all contractors hire newbies and train them up and give them plenty of room to advance. Its best to come to Alberta first (Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Fort Mac, etc.) and get hired from here, especially if you're new, companies generally won't fly you out unless you're skilled.

Now, obviously these are entry level position, so they aren't the really high paying ones, you probably won't make 6 figures in 6 months, but a guy will likely clear about $1500/week and since ALL of his expenses will be covered, he should be able to save quite a few bucks, then do whatever he wants, upgrade skills, travel, go back home and collect EI, etc.

I willing to bet that if ANY Canadian person, young or old took down all of the info I've posted in this thread, and applied of all of the companies that I listed, he's be working in the oil sands this spring and making decent money.

[Amsterdao!]

Scotian,

I already gave you +1 for all this golden information....thanks a lot! What do you know about truck driver jobs and salaries? I have already 3-4 years driving experience in heavy traffic.

ciao

[scotian]

(01-29-2012 11:06 AM)Amsterdao! Wrote:  

Scotian,

I already gave you +1 for all this golden information....thanks a lot! What do you know about truck driver jobs and salaries? I have already 3-4 years driving experience in heavy traffic.

ciao

Lots of work for truck drivers, most contracting companies employ some sort of trucks, whether its driving a vac truck for a company like CEDA or Clean Harbors or working directly for a transport company driving a big rig, there's a lot of work for truckers.

In Alberta, they have different types of licenses, the ones that I am familiar with are the class 1 license (to drive a multi axle semi truck) or the class 3 (air brakes endorsement), to drive trucks like dumps trucks, vac trucks, etc.

I'm sure if you're from a different province or state, they will recognize whatever license you may have.

[Amsterdao!]

(01-29-2012 12:10 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 11:06 AM)Amsterdao! Wrote:  

Scotian,

I already gave you +1 for all this golden information....thanks a lot! What do you know about truck driver jobs and salaries? I have already 3-4 years driving experience in heavy traffic.

ciao

Lots of work for truck drivers, most contracting companies employ some sort of trucks, whether its driving a vac truck for a company like CEDA or Clean Harbors or working directly for a transport company driving a big rig, there's a lot of work for truckers.

In Alberta, they have different types of licenses, the ones that I am familiar with are the class 1 license (to drive a multi axle semi truck) or the class 3 (air brakes endorsement), to drive trucks like dumps trucks, vac trucks, etc.

I'm sure if you're from a different province or state, they will recognize whatever license you may have.

and the salaries of those truck drivers?

So..i'm a 29 year old dutch guy and i want to make some serious money. A lot and ASAP. I Don't have technical work experience or what so ever in the Oil business, but if i have to...i'm willing to learn. I am used to long workdays and i think i have an good work mentality if i have to. So what would be your advice if you were in my position? Go to canada...do some pre-community college for a job and get some work experience after that? Or go to canada as an experienced truck driver and find a job in that field?

The plan is to start and build a new life in Canada for the next 3 years...make some serious money and do an around the world trip....and i'm pretty damn serious about it because i have nothing to lose

What do you think Scotian?

[misterstir]

(01-29-2012 10:24 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 02:26 AM)misterstir Wrote:  

I just want to clarify a few things.
1. Your tax rate will be provincial + federal + local. so the 26-29% + 10% in alberta = 39%. Really alberta is unsually low tax as far as Canada goes. Quebec top tax rate I believe is almost 60%. And Ontario is about 50% and on par with european welfare states. Even comapred to the so called 42% dutch rate, you can see Alberta's 39% rate is not a huge improvement, you're still going to pay lots of taxes. Compare that to US where obama is paying 26% and romney 15%.

2. I'm skeptical of what Scotian says about finding a job being easy for a new guy with no experience. I'm not calling him a liar or nothing like that. I just think it might be easy for him as an experienced plumber to find work. This is because in Canada, it is easy to find jobs for people with 3-5+ years of work experience in any given. However if you have no work experience but just school in general it is very difficult to find a job, for whatever reason Canadians do not like to hire inexperienced people. Even new doctors and new lawyers have lots of trouble finding work here. Even for entry level jobs you will need to have worked 3-4 internships in university to get a good job. Often these same employers who refuse to hire Canadian university grads then turn around and claim they cannot find any qualified talent and demand immigrant workers, who ironically they refuse to hire because they claim they have no Canadian experience or poor language skills (no shit sherlock, wtf do you expect). On the otherhand, it can see logical that if you have all these jobs, and lack of people/workers, it only make sense that you have lots of jobs. Probably the last boom province in canada besides saskatchewan.

Anyways, despite my skepticism, I think this is nonetheless I great datasheet with lots of good information, good job Scotian

Mistirstir, what you say about the job market and hiring practices is very true in MOST Canadian cities, but Fort McMurray really is its own little world and guys can find decent paying jobs with absolutely NO work experience. Check out the careers sections of some of the companies that I listed:

CEDA: http://www.cedagroup.com/index.html , click on "2012 CEDA jobs", you'll see that they are hiring labourers (these are positions for inexperiened guys), they will also pay for flights, training, camp accommodation, meals, etc.

Same for United Safety: http://www.unitedsafety.net/ , right on their career section of the website they say that they will hire inexperienced guys for upcoming work this spring.

Those are just two companies, pretty much all contractors hire newbies and train them up and give them plenty of room to advance. Its best to come to Alberta first (Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Fort Mac, etc.) and get hired from here, especially if you're new, companies generally won't fly you out unless you're skilled.

Now, obviously these are entry level position, so they aren't the really high paying ones, you probably won't make 6 figures in 6 months, but a guy will likely clear about $1500/week and since ALL of his expenses will be covered, he should be able to save quite a few bucks, then do whatever he wants, upgrade skills, travel, go back home and collect EI, etc.

I willing to bet that if ANY Canadian person, young or old took down all of the info I've posted in this thread, and applied of all of the companies that I listed, he's be working in the oil sands this spring and making decent money.

I don't doubt what your saying is true of Alberta/fort mac. I just had a skepticism and you could see why because of how it is in most of Canada, but the economy of Alberta especially fort mac is very different. But in reviewing your info, it seems all true.

So how would one go from working in a place like ceda to getting a skilled trade at a oil company that would pay well (100k+)

[scotian]

(01-29-2012 05:33 PM)Amsterdao! Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 12:10 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(01-29-2012 11:06 AM)Amsterdao! Wrote:  

Scotian,

I already gave you +1 for all this golden information....thanks a lot! What do you know about truck driver jobs and salaries? I have already 3-4 years driving experience in heavy traffic.

ciao

Lots of work for truck drivers, most contracting companies employ some sort of trucks, whether its driving a vac truck for a company like CEDA or Clean Harbors or working directly for a transport company driving a big rig, there's a lot of work for truckers.

In Alberta, they have different types of licenses, the ones that I am familiar with are the class 1 license (to drive a multi axle semi truck) or the class 3 (air brakes endorsement), to drive trucks like dumps trucks, vac trucks, etc.

I'm sure if you're from a different province or state, they will recognize whatever license you may have.

and the salaries of those truck drivers?

So..i'm a 29 year old dutch guy and i want to make some serious money. A lot and ASAP. I Don't have technical work experience or what so ever in the Oil business, but if i have to...i'm willing to learn. I am used to long workdays and i think i have an good work mentality if i have to. So what would be your advice if you were in my position? Go to canada...do some pre-community college for a job and get some work experience after that? Or go to canada as an experienced truck driver and find a job in that field?

The plan is to start and build a new life in Canada for the next 3 years...make some serious money and do an around the world trip....and i'm pretty damn serious about it because i have nothing to lose

What do you think Scotian?

Since you're Dutch and under 35, qualifying for a visa won't be very hard, check out the work experience Canada link I posted earlier in the thread.

Once you're on the ground in Alberta or Saskatchewan or BC (remember, you don't necessarily have to be in the Fort Mac area to be making big money in the resource sector), I would try to get on with a company as a driver since that's what you know best and drivers make decent money, you'd probably clear around $2500/week.

You may have to take a "class 1" driver training class in Edmonton or Calgary, if so, it won't be hard to find a school, that's something you'll have to look into.

Also, You should probably have about $5000 in the bank to get settled, I moved out with only $1500 to my name, not an ideal scenario! Alberta cities are definitely "car cities", its not impossible to get by without a car, but public transport sucks, so you may want to consider buying a car too.

Overall, with your work experience as a trucker, you shouldn't have too many problems finding work in western Canada!