Working In USA And Canada

[Liam 28]

I know this is not the place to be asking this question. But I hope people dont mind. My plan is to visit either Canada or USA next year and work there. My question is whats the best way to get in contact with companys from here "here is Ireland" would it be recuriment agencies or just search the net and send off some emails and try and talk to some one in the company. My next question is will companys actually talk to me seriously if I'm still in Ireland and not in either country. Any advice would be great. I,m hoping to work in a automation role if possible.I'm a quailified electrician who trained and worked in the automation sector and also hold a degree in Control And Automation and a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Thanks In Advance.

Liam

 

[Tharon]

As long as you go through all the correct legal circles for working, companies shouldn't have any issues taking you seriously as long as you are qualified. (I personally don't know anything about the permits required to work in foreign countries)

The first companies I would look at are the ones who deal with your current (or previous) employers. Like if I wanted to work overseas, I would first look at a few of the auto companies my current employer makes parts for. They know what my company does, and how well we do things. They (or their representatives) have visited our factories and would know what our machines do and what sort of work environment I come from.

 

[Liam 28]

Thanks for the reply Tharon I will be going the legal route work visa I'm quailified have the docs for proof and references . Im trying to do some research and see whats the best options in contacting companies. Thats sounds like a good place to start

 

[geniusintraining]

Send me your resume when you are ready to come... I know of a two companies that are looking to hire, I can pass it on to them if they have not found anyone and they will hire you (maybe)

One of them as several plants (world wide) so if you could get in over there it may help, not sure if they have one in Ireland anymore, when I worked there they had over 20, when I left they were down to around 10

The last time I talked to the plant mananger of the SC (USA) plant he told me he needed to fill my old job, the money is good a LOT of troubleshooting and you will need to get dirty from time to time, its also not just electrical.... anything that he or upper manangment needs and anything that maintenance can not figure out or needs help with

 

[gas]

About 10 years ago I saw a list of "Crown Colonies" that allowed easy immigration. If Ireland is on that list you will have a much easier time with Canada or Australia.
An easy Google search will provide you with answers.
Tough to give up the Guinness eh?
Good luck

 

[PeterW]

I came from the UK 4 years ago.

I'm not sure for the US but in Canada you would need a TWP (Temporary Work Permit) and you do not get one of those unless you have a job offer.

You cannot get the TWP unless the employer who wants to employ you obtains a LMO (Labour Market Opinion) which basically answers the question on whether there is a shortage of your skills in the Country. They have to apply for this not you.

They also have to prove that they have advertised for a Canadian for some time and cannot find the right person with the right skills.

Some people have come across on a 6 months holiday visa and look for work when here, but the same rules apply for getting the TWP.

Remember any time spent searching for a job over here you would be unemployed and have to look after yourself financially.

Do not enter the Country and tell them you intend to look for a job (US or Canada), they will send you home.

I searched the internet and found some Companies that did similar work to what I was doing in the UK. I sent my CV and told them I intended to come to Canada in a few months if they wanted to interview me, I only had one bite but they employed me, so that was good.

They will ignore your application if they cannot meet you, at least that was what I was told.

A couple of good sites:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who.asp

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=53

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canadian_Immigration

http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx

What is your background?

 

[Liam 28]

Thanks everyone for all the advice it's given me some ideas and a place to start.

geniusintraining thanks a million I will send on a CV when Im ready to move. That position sounds good to me I come from that background hands on faultfinding in the thick of it as they say also I never minded getting my hands dirty it can be a welcomed change from office work.

gas thanks for the heads up the Guinness and spuds will be missed alright

Peter thanks for the info and links I,ll look in to those were there any additional tests or exams before you could work I know in Austrlia if you want to work as a electrician you sit a set of exams first to prove you are competent.

My background is quailified electrician I would of built alot of control panels and commissioned them also offered break down services to different factories which enatiled fault finding getting plant going and electrical installation. Plants such as animal food, garin mill, fertliizer plant quarrys, paper printing factory, recycling plants of domestic waste and a few more. Also I have a degree in control and automation and degree in Electrical Engineering I majoured in Control and digital communication.

 

[PeterW]

Electricians require to pass the red seal.

http://trades.exambank.com/electrical.html

http://www.red-seal.ca/[email protected]?tid=51


I work on electrical design, including panels, installation, software and commissioning. In the UK I'd be called a Control Engineer but over here a Software Specialist.

They are very much control freaks on who can be called an Engineer and those special animals have 'pinky rings' to prove they are who they say .

As long as I'm paid they can call me Shirley if they like .

As you have a degree, you may be entitled to the 'ring' but I think you may have to sit some exam or other.

 

[Liam 28]

Thats good to know thanks again I would hope to go into a role such as your self not a electricians role are there still exams for a engineering role as well such as the position you described.

 

[PeterW]

I've sat no exam, although I had been working as a Control Engineer for years, many years on contract drifting from project to project.

 

[Liam 28]

Peter thanks again you have been very helpfull i have alot of research to do by the looks of it.

Liam

 

[Badger]

I worked in the USA for 5 years. Coming from England. My company had to get an L1-B Visa for me, so that I could work and get a Social Security number. They last for 3 years and I think you are only allowed 2 of them, after that you have to apply for citizenship or dual nationallity. Pretty sure you will need an L1-B. Otherwise you will be restricted to 90 days stay. You should check with the US embassy in Dublin before you embark on this journey, and good luck I loved every miniute of my secondment in Michigan.

 

[geniusintraining]

... Otherwise you will be restricted to 90 days stay..

We had a LOT of German boys come here and help with a plant start up.... they would do the same, stay for 90 days then go back for a week.... then come and do it all over again, 90 days straight of working 12hrs, drinking 6 then sleeping 6 or... drinking 8 and sleeping 4

 

[TurpoUrpo]

We had a LOT of German boys come here and help with a plant start up.... they would do the same, stay for 90 days then go back for a week.... then come and do it all over again, 90 days straight of working 12hrs, drinking 6 then sleeping 6 or... drinking 8 and sleeping 4

That is pretty normal for germans (atleast for those who I have met Same for finns who work overseas like that too.

 

[Tharon]

That is pretty normal for germans (atleast for those who I have met Same for finns who work overseas like that too.

I worked with a half a dozen German guys for a year or so a few years back. They lived on coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol. While at work they had coffee and a cigarette with them all the time, never ate lunch. Then when they went back to their hotel, they sat in the hot tub and drank all night.

I was fresh out of college, and couldn't figure out how they did it. Working 12-15 hours a day, 7 days a week was killing me, I'd get back to the hotel and just crash, while they would sit up drinking all night.