I am writing this as a matter of concern, for both myself, and my family, Canadian Citizen/Landed Immigrants who are fully qualified and internationally trained professionals. This letter is a brief description of our trials and tribulations, since we arrived in Ontario, one rainy day in June 2003.

I have spent most of my life in the United Kingdom, and acquired Canadian Citizenship through my father, back in 1986.

Whilst finding that the engineering trade is in decline somewhat in the UK, it seemed to be thriving in Canada… or so I was led to believe.

Before we left the UK, and every day since our arrival in Canada, I have visited government web sites, read official papers, newspapers, and visited job sites, all of which state, that there is a near desperate shortage of skilled professional engineers, technical instructors etc in Ontario at least.

This was one of the main reasons for the "big" decision, as I have spent the last four years as head of technical skills as a college instructor. This is a particular passion of mine, as I love to impart my knowledge to other up & coming engineers.

Previous to this I spent five years as an engineering shop controller, and enjoyed the responsibility that came with this position.

To this end I set about my 4000 mile emigration with my wife and teenage daughter, to answer the call of Canadian engineers. This included giving up well-paid jobs, selling our home, leaving behind friends and family. Before leaving the UK, I arranged for sponsorship papers for my wife and daughter, through the Immigration offices, as we all wanted to be a productive part of Canada as soon as possible. I also embarked on extensive research into where to live in this vast country, how we were going survive financially, why move at all? etc.etc. We finally decided on the city of Welland in the gorgeous province of Ontario.

I have had my credentials assessed in Ontario, I have been advised that I have the equivalent of: a Bsc in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Bsc in Industrial Engineering Technology, & BA in Training & Development. I have taken, paid for, and passed four trade exams: Millwright, Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic, Tool & Die Maker, & Small Engine Repair.

As you can see, I am very well qualified for numerous managerial/ instructional positions. However I have approached the Professional Engineering Organization in Ontario, to start the process of becoming a registered P.Eng, but sadly, they are only interested in people who have been to university in Canada, and will not take into account credential assessments, or years of practical, hands-on experience…even when explained to them that nine of those years were spent refitting nuclear submarines, in a very technical and secret capacity, for the British Royal Navy.

This was my first body blow….

As I have previously stated, we gave up everything in the UK, family, friends, jobs and home to answer the call of Canada; and to almost quote a former US president, we did not ask what Canada can do for us…but what we could do for Canada!

My wife and daughter have given up their independence, as their visas state, they are not allowed to work or attend college until the sponsorship papers are agreed upon by Canada Immigration. My wife has taken up volunteer work in the interim, however, this is only a very casual arrangement, so for the most part both my wife and daughter are pretty much house bound at the moment. I do not know if there is anything that can be done to expedite this?

I have found a job, (if you can call it that) as a welder in a production factory for the princely wage of $15 an hour! It's so laughable (actually I have frequently cried) that with all my knowledge and expertise I am doing a brain-dead job! Not exactly careers move! One thing about me is that I will not sit back and live off benefits. There are however positives to doing a menial job, in that I am supporting my family, and myself we were able to buy a beautiful house, and networking with fellow colleagues. From this you can see we are serious about making Canada our home.

Another great concern (which you should be aware of) and yet another body blow, is the lack of tangible help available.
There is a wealth of helpful operations in Ontario, however, I have been to pretty much all of them, and sadly most of them sit on their government funding and pay "lip-service" to your problems of credible employment, then they smile and wish you well and send you on your way.

This does not, however, pay the bills, or, give us a decent standard of living, to be able to explore and enjoy our new culture and environment.

It has been my experience with these help centers that they are very much geared towards non-English speaking people, the low-end of the job market, cheap labor jobs (sweatshop work) they appear to work fairly well for the people that require a job at that end of the scale. Not for individuals such as myself, and they are surprised when I appear non-grateful when they offer a pathetic job that someone without even year six schooling could do! Or all they can suggest is filling out a work sheet to log how much job searching I have done. Even when I have informed them that I am spending most of my free time doing exactly this.

I do understand that this is because they need to sign you up with them, to enable them to gain numbers to put to the government funds, and ultimately justify their own jobs, and help the above-mentioned individuals.

This total lack of practical help and so many empty promises, is I feel a serious hole in the net, where well-educated, qualified individuals can quite easily slip through. I am after-all one of these unfortunates, slipping through very quickly, unless there is anything "real" that can be done?!?

The bottom line is, that we knew it would be difficult and somewhat of a challenge to start in Canada where we left off in the UK. We are not afraid of a good challenge or adventure, but like every good expedition you do need at times, real, tangible, practical help to survive and function to the best of your abilities. I must say that with the lack of "real" help we are seriously beginning to ask whether we should have come at all?!?

Is there any "real" help out there?

A touching story!

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It has been my experience with these help centers that they are very much geared towards non-English speaking people, the low-end of the job market, cheap labor jobs (sweatshop work) they appear to work fairly well for the people that require a job at that end of the scale. Not for individuals such as myself, and they are surprised when I appear non-grateful when they offer a pathetic job that someone without even year six schooling could do!
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As far 'so-called' help centres are concerned, probably you are 101% right. They also have those call centres. I am not sure if you are referring to those too. Even if not, it will not make any difference. Because 'dono ek hi thali ke chatte-batte hain'.

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There is a wealth of helpful operations in Ontario, however, I have been to pretty much all of them, and sadly most of them sit on their government funding and pay "lip-service" to your problems of credible employment, then they smile and wish you well and send you on your way.
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I have not worked in Govt. call centres but me and my wife have worked in other call centres (Citi Bank- Master Card, Ontario Hydro, Rogers, Insurance Companies etc.) for about 2 1/2 years. Even after working in different call centres and different companies, we found one thing common that mostly people (other than new immigrants) working in these call centres...oops! sorry....'help centres' are either school going kids or those who dropped out and did not have any other job to sustain. You are not supposed to apply your own logic and your knowledge if you want to work in the call centre. Let it be a Govt. funded or run call/help centre or a privately run centre, they have one thing common: Quality Assurance techniques. Quality assurance does not actually mean that they are talking about quality of the service in true sense but they talk about Quality of 'the call' which includes:
- did you greet the customer when he called?
- did you call him by his name?
-did you say those 'scripted words': I am really very sorry about that or I understand your frustration, I do aplogise for the inconvenience'
-while ending the call, did you say: Ids there anything else I can help you (does not matter, even though you could not help him even 1% with his first question or problem)
- did you say: Thank you for calling, have your self a great day!
AND WE FEEL......WOW! WHAT A GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY ARE SO POLISHED AND POLITE........nope........they are just like 'RATTU TOTA' and just reading the script for you. Right from lower management to higher management, hardly any one is concerned about customer's actual PROBLEM AND SITUATION.
Mr. Singh, how can you expect 'real help' from a person who does not even understand the titles of all your degrees and qualifications? I am pretty sure that thay must have had a hard time to even read the same, correctly.
In my opinion, your best bet could be : Approach the companies directly (which I am sure that you must have done it already) or approach the big time 'Employment Agencies like Manpower, Spherion, Pin Stripe etc.
What else can I say? Let me do some research on my part about the 'real help' and will get back!

Good Luck!!

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Sanjeev Manocha, MBA
Real Estate Sales Representative
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Re/Max West Realty Inc, Brokerage
96, Rexdale Blvd., Toronto

Mobile: 416-843-7600
Office: 416-745-2300
http://www.manocharealty.com" rel="nofollow">LINK

Harjit... it is really sad to know your sufferings... some people in the forum may suggest that it is all because of your own "short comings" as they did before. But I do know how it feels to be in your situation as I have seen quite a few very bright and well educated immigrants having same problems.

Please let me know if I can help you in any way.
I can be reached at

Thanks and regards.
Biomed

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"Change before you have to" : Jack Welch

Harjit,

I was deeply moved on reading your story. But you know Harjit- all what we can do is empathise with you. Remember adversity is the best teacher and in adversity you come up with the best, and I am sure in this adversity you would learn a lot. remember your future is going to be good.

One of the practical suggestions - that I employed some time ago was to approach the employers directly. That shall cut a lot of crap in the middle - esp manpower consultants who are bombarded by atleast 500 resumes a day and who are more interested and focussed on the employer than you.

I shall keep you updated if I come across something which would be of interest to you and which would help you land a job in your field.

In the interim if you need any help do let me know. Afterall, we are here to help you and I go with what I have written below.

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What goes around comes around...
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A CANADIAN INDIAN

Hi ! Harjit,

It is indeed unfortunate to happen something like this to a very well qualified guy like you. I can only say " Everything is alright in the end. If it's not alright, then it's not the end." Hang in there, something great is definitely on the way & Hope someone from CD comeout with some help.

Wishing you GOOD LUCK

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Some people make Things happen, Some watch Things happen, While others wonder what has happened.............

Harjit
Your story is no different than any of the educated immigrants from third world countries.
But you are not the only one or don't even think that this is something new.
Way back in 60s one of my cousin did his Masters in nuclear engineering from UK and came to canada. He was asked if he had any canadian experience. He threw up and went to US where is has been paying more than $35000 in taxes alone annually ever since.
The question is not the problem but what to do about it.
Unfortunately there is no sure fire way. It is trial by fire and all I can say is that with passage of time, through your preseverence you will make it finally although it will leave a lasting bitterness.
good luck

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DIE HARD !

If I am not wrong, isn’t Harjit the guy who is from Singapore playing (like me) his second innings in Canada at present? He is not the guy of this sad story.

Whatever it is, what is described here is true with so many immigrants – especially well qualified and placed ones. Remember the story of the Chinese Rocket scientist baking cookies somewhere in North York for last couple of years, published in Toronto Start about 5 months ago? It is surprising to note this happens to even persons coming from UK – one of the major origins and basis of Canadians and Canada.

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!