hello everyone
I am an estimator (civil). I'd like to know if I move to Alberta(Calgary/Edmonton) would be a good option. People say it is the same problem new immigrants face-lack of canadian experience, but I hear and read the news of Alberta and its booming economy especially with unfilled vacancies in the oil and construction sector.
Could anyone suggest something ?
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 02-04-06 19:49:36
You have stated that you are a civil estimator. What have you estimated? Brick , stone, Concrete, steel rod etc???
If that is so, then you may have trouble in Canada. Canadian construction is mostly of Wood, Steel Beams etc.. and preference is given to Canadian educated people.
In alberta, though the boom is there it is only the Oil boom. So if you have been an estimator in the oile sector then i would say that your chances are good. If you donot have any experience in that sector then you would be the typical immigrants. The basis of you getting a job will be Luck, smartness, network and your resume being in the right hand at the right time.
TK
Sidenote : since you are in Mississauga, PM or e-mail me and we can talk about your situation etc.. (if you are interested only)
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
You have stated that you are a civil estimator. What have you estimated? Brick , stone, Concrete, steel rod etc???
If that is so, then you may have trouble in Canada. Canadian construction is mostly of Wood, Steel Beams etc.. and preference is given to Canadian educated people.
In alberta, though the boom is there it is only the Oil boom. So if you have been an estimator in the oile sector then i would say that your chances are good. If you donot have any experience in that sector then you would be the typical immigrants. The basis of you getting a job will be Luck, smartness, network and your resume being in the right hand at the right time.
TK
Sidenote : since you are in Mississauga, PM or e-mail me and we can talk about your situation etc.. (if you are interested only)
hi kuruvan,
thanks for the info, may i know your e-mail/phone no?
jnaneshwar
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 02-04-06 20:06:24
Hi,
I am at my office and expect to go home at midnight only today. I have seen your cellphone number in the wanted colum and so i will call you monday night.
I canot call from office today since my boss is also working till midnight and i canot make personal calls while he is there.
bye
TK
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
tk is right. Alberta is booming but not for all. It is specifically for Oil & gas sector experienced people. I think Toronto will be better for other trade people.
If you are foreign trained civil engineer you may have really hard time to find a job in a Estimating position for lack of Canadian Experience. Usually, there are 3 or 4 estimators position available in Edmonton. They are not all on internet sites because some recruiting companies just advertize one estimator position when they are actually looking for several (they save money that way).
Nevertheless, you can still find job as Estimator in Alberta due to the work shortage if you do the right thing. I'm like you a foreing trained Civil Engineer and I'm working as Estimator for a custom home builder if you want to know what I did ,find my story on the "success stories" section called 'my immigrant journey"
if you don't have the chance to do what I did you have to take a Timberline course (estimating software) that's the most common software in use plus couple of or courses of construction managment at NAIT (norther alberta institute of technology). This will not guarantee a job but will help you in getting into a position for sombody willing to be trained.
I learned many things in my first job, I did not know what was casing, soffit and fascia, radiant heating, shingles and many more things that you do not use in you previos country.
If you have any other questions let me know
This is what I think the salary situation for estimators in home building industy in Edmonton:
New guys willing to be trained with no experience at all: $20,000-$24,000.00
Less than a year of experience: $33,000.00-$36,000.00
Less than two year of experience: $40,000.00-$44,000.00
That should help you to have a picture of the situation for estimators.
Some companies will pay more than that to make sure that they will not loose you for another company after all the resourses that they invested in you.
I was recently looking for a new job and 2 days after I started looking for jobs I was contacted by a recruiter and he arranged 2 interviews right away and I found a job two weeks later by miself with other company.
We are building many houses in Edmonton, so everybody involved is looking for employes.
