Hello from Sunderland, UK

[JGK]

Originally Posted by BillyM

Hello fellow Mackem.

Thank you for replying to my thread. I’m new to these types of sites and could not see any way to send you a message? Not sure if it’s allowed or if it’s because I’m a newbie?

So I thought I would respond to you via this thread in the hope you pick it up.

It is great to hear from a fellow Mackem so thanks. Despite my being born in Canada I consider myself a Sunderland lad. My parents moved to Canada in the 1960’s had me then moved back to England and because of this I have the two passports. Due to the situation in Europe and the way things are here in the UK with severe cut backs I have decided that I should give Canada a serious look. I am 47 years and it’s now or never, plus like you said I would always be wondering “what if….?”
I see you are in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Can I ask you what the work situation is like there in general? I realise I wont get a job offer while in the UK so I hoping to land somewhere where I can find any type of work to get a start. My ambition though is to try and get into some type of law enforcement work but this would be easier if I was actually there working.

Thanks again and it is great to hear from someone who is from Sunderland.
Cheers
Billy

Western Canada is booming at the moment due to the wealth of natural resources. The unemployment rate is low (~5%) and there's a shortage of skilled trades to service the mining (potash, uranium, coal and precious metals) as well as the oil industry.

I don't know about getting a job in law enforcement, you may have to wait a while as the forces only recruit at certain times.

The best I can recommend is to check out the job sites relating to Saskatchewan

[BillyM]

Originally Posted by JGK

Western Canada is booming at the moment due to the wealth of natural resources. The unemployment rate is low (~5%) and there's a shortage of skilled trades to service the mining (potash, uranium, coal and precious metals) as well as the oil industry.

I don't know about getting a job in law enforcement, you may have to wait a while as the forces only recruit at certain times.

The best I can recommend is to check out the job sites relating to Saskatchewan

Thanks JGK,

I will check out the job sites etc. My problem is I don’t have a trade as such. I have plenty of experience from various jobs etc such as police, debt collection and call centres etc. This makes the move to Canada a bigger risk for the likes of me as I can’t really apply for work until I am there and this is my problem. I would be on the plane tomorrow if there was a job offer no matter what it was but this is not going to happen. This is why I am trying to find a place where there is plenty of work opportunities so a person like me can land and hopefully apply for whatever’s going to get a start.

Thanks again and what part of Sunderland are you from out of interest? I’m presently in the Pallion area. I have lived in most parts of Sunderland such as Roker, Doxford Park and Ryhope. Nothing much changes here so it’s probably the same since you were here more or less?

Regards
Billy

[JGK]

Originally Posted by BillyM

Thanks JGK,

I will check out the job sites etc. My problem is I don’t have a trade as such. I have plenty of experience from various jobs etc such as police, debt collection and call centres etc. This makes the move to Canada a bigger risk for the likes of me as I can’t really apply for work until I am there and this is my problem. I would be on the plane tomorrow if there was a job offer no matter what it was but this is not going to happen. This is why I am trying to find a place where there is plenty of work opportunities so a person like me can land and hopefully apply for whatever’s going to get a start.

Thanks again and what part of Sunderland are you from out of interest? I’m presently in the Pallion area. I have lived in most parts of Sunderland such as Roker, Doxford Park and Ryhope. Nothing much changes here so it’s probably the same since you were here more or less?

Regards
Billy

Billy,

I grew up in Seaburn but left for uni (Guildford) then, apart from a bout 18 months, lived in Peterborough.

I still have family in Burnopfield and Darlington and try to get back every other year or so to visit.

[BillyM]

Originally Posted by JGK

Billy,

I grew up in Seaburn but left for uni (Guildford) then, apart from a bout 18 months, lived in Peterborough.

I still have family in Burnopfield and Darlington and try to get back every other year or so to visit.

JGK,

Seaburn, one of the best areas of Sunderland. My girlfriend used to work at the large Morrison’s supermarket which is there and it’s where I shop every Saturday. Great beach which often gets underestimated. Also when I was in the police I was based at Southwick Station and the Roker and Seaburn areas were my beat areas so I know the place very well indeed. Small world.

It’s the Sunderland Air Show next weekend and it’s at Roker and Seaburn. Around a million people were there last year! You will probably be able to see parts of it on You Tube. I hope the rain keeps off as we have had an unusual amount of bad weather here over the last three months and the summer is a washout so far, but that’s the UK.

Can I ask you why you chose Canada as a place to live? I’m 47 yrs and its make or break time for me with regard to whether I make some type of move abroad. I do have my doubts as to if its going to be worth all the upheaval but I have the nagging thought that if I don’t then it will be a case of “what if” later down the line.

Cheers
Billy

[JGK]

Originally Posted by BillyM

JGK,

Can I ask you why you chose Canada as a place to live? I’m 47 yrs and its make or break time for me with regard to whether I make some type of move abroad. I do have my doubts as to if its going to be worth all the upheaval but I have the nagging thought that if I don’t then it will be a case of “what if” later down the line.

Cheers
Billy

I got the chance of a job in Canada (Montreal) through a work colleague in 2001. I was comfortable in England but was of the mind that if I didn't give it a try, I'd always be wondering "what if..." as well

Circumstances since have seen me move to Ontario, get laid off and now land up in Saskatoon. Still enjoying Canada though

[BillyM]

Originally Posted by JGK

I got the chance of a job in Canada (Montreal) through a work colleague in 2001. I was comfortable in England but was of the mind that if I didn't give it a try, I'd always be wondering "what if..." as well

Circumstances since have seen me move to Ontario, get laid off and now land up in Saskatoon. Still enjoying Canada though

JGK,

Thanks for the reply. Getting a job offer is the ideal start but that’s not going to happen for me I’m afraid. I have tried sending my resume to various employers in Canada but they seem back-off when they see I’m in the UK. It is a bit of a dilemma not knowing how and where to get a job in Canada which is mainly why I’m still here in England.

Well best of luck with things over there and please if you see or hear anything that you think might be useful for me then drop me a line via this site.

All the best
Billy