posted
This may be an odd forum to ask on, but I guess it can't hurt.
My fiance and I are planning on immigrating to Canada, Nova Scotia, probably the Halifax area but it's flexible. I wanted to hear from some (the few) of our Canadian members... see what job prospects I have etc.
My family has owned a sign company for nearly 30 years. I have been part-time involved with all aspects of the business since at least 2001, and since 2005 I have been the primary and full-time technician running, applying, designing everything digital.
We currently have an SP-300 and XC-540; pumping out tons of work on them. I do many of the layouts, all of the laminating, all of the cutting, trimming, applying for the digital. I also have, what I'd say is, above average or intermediate servicing experience on both machines (I've replaced the guide cables, linear encoder strip, encoder sensor, know how to get into service menu and all that good stuff) Prior to being the sole digital tech I was the main vinyl worker as well (and I still do step into that role now and then). I also have a 2 year Associates in Arts Degree from an accredited U.S. community college.
What can I expect when I start applying at sign companies in Nova Scotia? There seems to be a decent number of them. I guess the NOC job classification is Graphic Arts Technician - or Graphic Designer NOC # 5223 or 5241. What do you usually classify a worker like this? Also, to your knowledge, what kind of salary can be expected etc?
Do you think arranged employment for a position like this is out of the question? I'll be applying the end of this year for Permanent Residence under the Skilled worker Stream, but that will take anywhere from months to 2 years for me to get that. In the meantime I may go back to school and do a 1 year program in either graphic design or web development. Or, if I were to get a decent job offer (decent to me I'd say is $20/hr CAD - fulltime) and they're willing to give arranged employment I could get a temp work visa or possibly fall under NAFTA work regulations.
Anyways, sorry this post was so long. Immigrating is a big deal, I'm excited about it, and figured it couldn't hurt to see what people thought. Thank you for any help.
-cj
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Randy Campbell: There is more people out of work then you have in Melbourne.Why-maybe I'm wrong but WHY.
Really? I didn't realize it was that bad in all the provinces... Graphic Design/Tech/Web Designer seems to be in the "need" classifcation for most areas it seems - all the job sites say "FAIR" etc and it's even on the NAFTA list.
The unemployment rate in Florida is ~5.4% and in melbourne hovers around 4% every year. Halifax seems to hover in the 5% range.
I'm not relocating because of work, or because I can't find a job in the USA; there's many other various reasons to relocate that surely cannot be explained in short order
Thanks for the incite
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Hi Chris, I don't agree with Randy on this one.
We immigrated to Canada from Switzerland some fifteen years ago and I have never looked back. There's lots of work for people with ambition and education like yours. If you don't mind the idea of being landlocked, you might want to have a look at Saskatchewan. There is a shortage of skilled workers in the province, although I dont't know how this applies to the graphic trade. Wages may be a little lower than other places, but so are living costs. I believe we may have the lowest real estate prices in the country, also lowest car insurance, etc.. Great hunting and fishing too, if you like that.
I know what you're going through with the immigration process, it takes a lot of patience and then some... but over all, it's a great country, and I'm sure you'll love it. Best of luck to you.
posted
yea...Saskatchewan seems a little cold for us I think haha. We're attracted to the maritime temperate climate. What's the weather like in winter in Saskatchewan? -20C? ouch
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
The east coast is a lot colder than the west coast in the winter time. Summers are more humid back east and so the heat feels more severe.
As a generalization the wages are lower in the Maritimes. That being said, the cost of houses is far less there than here in British Columbia.
There is a severe shortage of skilled people in British Columbia and that trend looks to continue for some time to come. Alberta is the hottest prospect as far as jobs right now although like Saskatchewan you have to like flat land and wiinter to survive there.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Chris..I find it interesting that someone from Florida would want to move north to Canada, when many Canadians would like nothing more than to move south!!
We are packing things in here in Southern Ontario..moving to Mexico..easier on these 63 year old bones!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Steven, I think he was asking about job opportunities in Nova Scotia, not planning on opening a shop.......... I don't even know what those machines he's talking about do, but if he can fix them, somebody probably wants him, & will pay him good $$$. A friend of mine has one of those printer things, & every time she has to get something fixed it costs her $1200. Chris, traditionally the maritime provinces have higher unemployment & lower wages than the rest of the country. Southern Ontario, Alberta & BC are usually the most prosperous places in Canada, although there are areas in every province that don't fit the norm. I'm in southeastern Ontario, in an area that depends almost solely on tourism, so things aren't that great here - but it's beautiful, it's a great place to raise a family, & I get the type of work I want. Point being, a booming economy is not the most important thing in life. However.......... if you look around, & the homes are decorated with antlers, you're not going to get $20/hour. TR
-------------------- Rodger MacMunn T.R. MacMunn & Sons C.P.207, Sharbot Lake, ON 613-279-1230 trmac@frontenac.net Posts: 475 | From: Sharbot Lake, Ontario | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
then what would be a better ocupation to go into? more focused on webdesign perhaps? if anything I can just go to school and get an MIS degree or something. I already have some certifications for computer repair and networking; could finish my Cisco or maybe get an MCSA.
We're moving, as discouraging as everybody seems to want to say it haha, we ideally want to live in Nova Scotia, but we probably wouldn't mind New Brunswick; there's a lot of reasons we want to stay on the east coast.
and $20/hr was a dream number, saying if someone offered that I'd move almost right away; I don't expect that at all. I'm hoping for $12-15/hr realistically, but I'm sure when I get there I'll take what I can get.
[ June 01, 2007, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: Chris Jones ]
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Here is my 2 cents, I would listen to Stephen about the east coast he probably knows more people that are leaving the east than moving in. I would say Alberta is the booming province and you could get work in just about anything the local A&W and a bunch of other local businesses have already imported in their own work force from other countries. Now moving to Alberta might be a problem as housing is threw the roof but if you want to work long hours in the oil patch 20/hr 12 hrs per day would be easy to make. Now Lotti makes a good point Saskatchewan IMHO is the place to go housing is cheaper and their boom is just starting and I have even been thinking about Prince Albert as the place to go.
One more good thing about Saskatchewan, it is so flat you can watch your dog run away for days. hahaha
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
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You are more then welcome to knock on my door if yourself and your wife deside to come to Nova Scotia for a visit.
The locals are friendly and the Ocean Coast is beautiful but the Graphic(Print/Design/Web/Signage)Industry is over run with franchise or basement shops.
I operate on a different level but it will be in no time that someone will compete against myself.
There is 3 to 4 companies that do game animation around here and if you are good at this then there is a job for you.
Best of Luck.... Raven/2007
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Hey man, are you sure you don't want to consider ontario, we sell and service roland printers, do you have tech training or experience?, we can provide you with a few east coast contacts, and hey we have a coast too,on lake huron,best sunsets in the world!
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
posted
Chris are you Pat's employee? Lotti I have a son how left Ontario and moved to the Halifax area and was very disapointed with the job and low wages. He had 10 years experence with mein my shop.He moved back to Cold Lake Alberta.They will hire their own residents before an outsider beleive me.
-------------------- Randall Campbell Randy's Graphics, 420 Fairfield N. Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 2857 | From: Hamilton Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I think you are all painting too dark a picture. Do you think things are perfect where he is now in Florida? And Sam, read his post again. The conditions you are mentioning apply to entrepreneurs. If a company hires him, he enters the country under different conditions.
quote:Originally posted by Randy Campbell: Chris are you Pat's employee?
I'm his nephew actually.
I tend to agree with Lotti. I've been talking with various people not in our business about living/working/moving in that area and it's not all that bad. I'm sure I'll have to do work that isn't either on par with my abilities and I'll get paid less or like you said, for a smaller company and I'll make less. I'm hoping for $13-$15/hr starting I'd say.
As for other places; my fiance and I aren't ruling out other areas of Canada, but the extreme winters do scare us a little.
Depending on where in Ontario, a service/tech/sales job would be right up my alley. Although I do not have any formal training; I work for a sign company and roland doesn't like to give too many secrets to the end-user (even though you can do almost everything on your own)
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Hiya Chris, I don't know about Canada, but I took a leap of faith and relocated to another state with my fiance. It's definitely a scary proposition! Looking back, I wouldn't even entertain another long(er) distance move without a decent job offer in writing. One that will allow you to live a little on one salary alone. If you don't, plan and budget to live without an income for 6 months to a year or more. We got lucky, my wife landed a good job and we committed to the move. Just week before we moved I accepted an decent offer too. If I didn't get that job at the last minute we would have a very hard time making ends meet and we wouldn't be where we are at today. Just like starting a business, relocating is starting a new life. You need to plan and budget accordingly. Poor planning and a limited budget is a recipe for disaster.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
yep Checkers, it would seem our current plan of action is to simply save for a few months, possibly over a year or so, and hopefully by then we'll have permanent residencey; we plan on applying the end of this year.
who knows, I was thinking of doing a 1-2 year program in like radiography or some other kind of more useful skill to guarantee a job right away.
-------------------- Chris Sign Man Inc. 4580 N. Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, FL Posts: 7 | From: Melbourne, FL | Registered: Feb 2006
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-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Chris I would never want to discourage you from moving to Nova Scotia as long as thats what you want.I would love to live down east but where I live most of my friends are from that area.They told me that since the fishing has cut back their relatives are moving west.good luck and say hi to Pat from Randy.
-------------------- Randall Campbell Randy's Graphics, 420 Fairfield N. Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 2857 | From: Hamilton Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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