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| Subject: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for... |
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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?
[22-06-2005,05:07]
[***.82.122.86]
user |
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(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
Leave
[22-06-2005,05:25]
[**.29.129.8]
Anonymous |
PE issue (in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
I read from ontarion boardof engineers that they reccognise the degree obtained from UK or USA universities. check other provinces too. i read alberta also recognises UK degrees. check apegga website.
[22-06-2005,10:04]
[***.178.224.227]
aji |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
Hi "user",
I am sorry to hear about your struggles, but this is exactly what people have been saying in this forum, that you have to start from zero and not expect the world from Canada when you are a new immigrant. Well, I think its easy to say that as they are sitting pretty and it does not take much to just write some words out here. And now they can let us know if they think this is what they meant by "zero". Your post does explain the specifics as to how low you had to go to find a job, so for all its a perspective which they can relate to, and I thank you for that. (I hope you are for real though and not one of those jerks who just want to discourage new immigrants by presenting false information)
But having said that, I have to mention that there are certain limits which a person can stoop down to accept the new life in a different country. This is extremely valid when you consider a person such as yourself, with the education and the industry experience. For a person who is a welder in his home country will not complain if he is a welder after immigrating to Canada, in fact, he should be excited. But in your case its been a big change, so I totally agree with you when you come to second guess your decision to migrate to Canada. Maybe you are very unfortunate and others who have similar profile as yours have made good, but we would still need "those imaginary" successful people to come forth and validate the claim made by many in this forum that you start with zero (agreed), but you will not die with zero (??). And its been 2 years now, so its not like you just got there.
Wish you the best for your future.
[22-06-2005,13:06]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
umm another interesting case... I was just watching TV like 1/2 hr ago and a similar case were shown on the TV.
Some ppl from Asian sub-continent immigrated to Canada and they cant find a job in their fiend... some are engineers, MBA´s and other well qualified people... but what to do... Doctors doing telemarketing jobs, Engineers and PhD´s driving a Cab. Other baking Pizza´s and stuff...
What I can say is dont loose hope... you will soon land yourself something great... Transistion to a new country always takes time... 8 years ago... my family came here with just $22 on us and for the first 3 years... it was a life struggle... but now we can say that we are settled...
I dont say each and everyone has to face the same thing... but HOPE is the key word... and mix it with some patient and hard work... and you will find your success...
Good Luck.
[22-06-2005,13:29]
[**.30.92.5]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
I heard there´s a big demand for Engineers in ALBERTA. I know a friend with MBA who found a job within 1 week of landing in Alberta !!!
[22-06-2005,13:57]
[**.148.222.253]
Skilled Worker |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/forum.asp has similar stories.
I do believe that being positive and actively taking charge of your situation is the best way to go, but what gets me is that a lot of these stories are based on hard hitting facts which these people may never be able to influence. At the end of the day I still try to make the best of any situation I´m in even if it´s not at all what I expected. You´ll get there one day even if you need to go a different way or end up in a different place from what you thought! Keep remembering the other reasons you came to Canada for and don´t let your family become prisoners in their own home. It is only they alone that make themselves housebound not any other factors. There is always somewhere you can walk, something to see and someone you can talk to.
Good luck!
[22-06-2005,14:41]
[***.5.19.16]
esperando |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
I live on net so Canada only enhanced my life, with pure air and quiet, crime-free surroundings, and occasional encounters with opposite sex. So I praise Canada, of course. Just out of curiosity: why did you leave a secure job with British Navy (they must have pension plans, health plans and all that) and move brashly to a new country which is little more than a nice icebox? You needed no visa to show up in Canada and get a taste of your future home before you actually immigrated! Why did you not do it? Since you had a secure job wit Government in Britain, you MUST have seriouly evaluated your move to Canada. I know I would. I lived on net and wall street for most of my working years so I needed no serious thought when deciding to move to Canada. I am doing the same shit from here that I was doing while in NYC. Except, now I do not have the drama of relentless tease... And it is a little more easy to get laid around here... More so than in NYC. In the end, I bet you still have your retirement benefits accrued with British Navy so you may return and try to secure your job there.
[22-06-2005,15:02]
[***.202.107.231]
In Canada |
staged approach (in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
I really understand your situation. I don´t understand that when you already were a Canadian citizen, why you have not taken a stepped approach. You should have not quit your UK job, sold your house and move your family here in one step. You could have just taken a unpaid leave for 3 months and first come alone and check out the market. I personally think if you would have found a job in 3 months then, you should have made the complete move. Atleast this way you would have your foot in one boat before you got your foot off the other boat. I personally feel sorry for your situation.
[22-06-2005,15:19]
[***.46.162.254]
Jack |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
Jack,
That was a good suggestion. I second it. Let me go ahead and mention that Jack´s idea should be followed by all the skilled immigrants who want to see first hand whats the scene in Canada before making the big move. I know three months may not be enough to get the "complete" picture, but atleast you will be mentally prepared when you decide to move in for good.
Of course this won´t apply to the people immigrating due to reasons other than skilled, as they are coming in due to different reasons.
[22-06-2005,15:29]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: I am writing this as a matter of concern, for...)
User,
How did you pick Welland????????
I grew up in St. Catharines (my father was born in Welland) and I have known for the past 15 years that Welland is going down hill. Its a town of 40,000 people, and seems to have everything but jobs!
Also, you should have looked into the P.Eng situation before you came.
Get out of Welland! I really can´t believe you chose that place!
Try the following cities, they will have about 500 times as many opportunities for you.
Toronto
London
Windsor
Kitchener/Waterloo
Guelph
Ottawa
Hamilton (just kidding!)
Calgary
Edmonton
Red Deer
Fort MacMurray
Vancouver
Montreal
well, there´s just a start....
Dave
[23-06-2005,00:10]
[***.116.147.37]
dave |
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