Moving to Canada as a Quantity Surveyor (QS) with Family - Advice needed!

[dave5282]

Hi all,
Im also a QS in North west england in very similar setup/circumstance, thinking of making the same move, so it was good to read all that has has been said.
I just wondered if roundfoot had made any headway yet?? and how things were going?? We are hoping to go on a factfinding trip with our two small kids (3years and the other 4 months) later this year.
Dave

[roundfoot]

Originally Posted by dave5282

Hi all,
Im also a QS in North west england in very similar setup/circumstance, thinking of making the same move, so it was good to read all that has has been said.
I just wondered if roundfoot had made any headway yet?? and how things were going?? We are hoping to go on a factfinding trip with our two small kids (3years and the other 4 months) later this year.
Dave

Hi Dave,

To be honest things went on the back burner for quite a while, probably working too hard! So made a news years resolution to get a move on. Been busy emailing numerous companies with my CV and cover letter and have arranged a trip out in May to have a look round and have a number of interviews / chats with various companies about possible opportunities. Also have one online interview next week so fingers crossed! I found that if you can spark up a conversation with anybody it is well worth while as have had some companies who weren't hiring giving me direct emails of other companies - which tend to have a better response than emails sent to careers@acompany.com. So when you do start looking just try and get into dialogue with anyone as seems to have been a big help. My only concern is the new visa system. As your potential employer needs to keep the job open for you for 3 - 6 months (and more likely to be 6!). Have tried to find anyone who has gone through the new system but with little joy. Hopefully will find out more when speaking with employers.

Have done quite a lot of research on areas as well and Kelowna does look great. We also have 2 kids (2 and 3 months) so looking for a family orietated area. And wages should be quite a lot more, tax is less, weather better (snow & sun) - seems like a no brainer to me.

Will let you know how I get on.

Ed

[roundfoot]

Originally Posted by roundfoot

Ian,
Thanks again that's a great help and nice to get an idea of the wages and benefits. With regards to the permanent residents visa I haven't applied but from the research I have done the system has changed as of June this year. My understanding is that you can't start the application until you have a job offer which makes things a little more difficult. I may speak to a few of the larger companies and see if they can give me some guidance in terms of timescales. I have previously spoken to a chap who was promoting emigration to BC in general and he reckoned that with a firm job offer you van now get a visa within a few months under the new system, but would like a second opinion! Kelowna looks great and a big part of the move would be to get a better work life balance and find somewhere which is good for kids, will definatelt make a visit when we head over and if you're not too busy it would be great if you could show us some of the city. My email is edcottrill at gmail dot com so if you knock me an email I can contact you nearer the time. Let md know if your company have any openings for a QS!! Sounds like your enjoying life over there. Will let you know how I get on and may mither you a bit more if I have any more questions.

Cheers,

Ed

Hi Ian,

Finally got my act together after a while in the doldrums but been very busy these last few weeks emailing probably every construction company in BC! Also done a lot of research on Kelowna and it looks absolutely magic. Is looking like our first choice and have emailed Ledcor, PCL, Scott, Bird, Rykon,Delnor, Buttcon and of course Merril Reindeers (who haven't replied!) - just wondering if there is anyone I have missed as seem to be working on a law of averages here. Also do you have a contact at MR I could email directly rather than the generic HR email? I can appreciate you may not want to put an email on here but feel free to email me at edcottrill at gmail dot com if you want. Also if you know anyone that is hiring I would appreciate the heads up.

Got a trio planned from May 6th - 20th - should be fun with a 2 year old and a 6 month old! - and planning on spending a week in Vancouver (and possible a day or 2 on Vancouver Island) and then a week in Kelowna (prob staying in Westbank). Would be good to meet up if you can spare the time as would like to see how you are settling in and a insight into expat life would be good. I take it you are still enjoying life out there?

Anyway hopefully see you in May and see it all for myself.

All the best,

Ed

[Martin999]

Hi Ed. I operate an employment agency for engineers in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I am presently seeking a qualified and experienced Quantity Surveyor for a company that designs and manufactures very up-market architectural metalwork (railings, jambs, feature stairs, skylights, feature atriums, transoms, etc) for government and corporate headquarters buildings. ie. Howard Hughes Memorial Building, Vriginia, USA, etc.

Let me know if you'd be interested.

Regards,

Martin

[Martin999]

Ian. I'm a recruiter living in Montreal, Quebec and am seeking a well qualified and experienced professional quantity surveyor such as yourself. Maybe you could send me your C.V., email address and phone number so we can communicate further.

Regards,

Martin
Martin Hurst Recruitment

[chaelcy]

Hi! Mr. Martin. I am a nurse..Since you are a recruiter So probably you can help me with my case.. I have my ongoing immigration application to canada.. If I get the chance to get a job offer, does it speeds up my application? Would i still benifit for a temporary visa/ working visa? Hope you can help me with my inquiry..

Thanks,
Lcyd

[roundfoot]

Hi Martin,

I am looking for QS jobs in Vancouver or Kelowna, if this something you can assist with by all means give me your email address and I will forward you my CV and we can discuss further.

Ed

[Martin999]

Hi Ed. I operate mainly in the Ontario/Quebec area so it's unlikely I can help you in job opportunities in BC. If you change your mind about where you plan to settle, please let me know.
Regards,
Martin

[Martin999]

Originally Posted by chaelcy

Hi! Mr. Martin. I am a nurse..Since you are a recruiter So probably you can help me with my case.. I have my ongoing immigration application to canada.. If I get the chance to get a job offer, does it speeds up my application? Would i still benifit for a temporary visa/ working visa? Hope you can help me with my inquiry..

Thanks,
Lcyd

Hi Lcyd. unfortunately I work only in the field of engineers, technicians and technologists. Suggest you go directly to Health Care Canada.
Good luck!
Martin

[samleonard]

Originally Posted by roundfoot

Hi,

My wife and I are currently living near Machester in the UK and are looking at moving to Vancouver (ideally although open to other areas potentially) in spring/summer next year with two young children (2ys and 6 months then). I am a Quantity Surveyor and would be interested if anyone knows companies that are worth contacting. I have worked as a PQS and a contractors QS. Does anyone know the main contractors in the vancouver area that may be worth contacting?

In terms of areas to live, we would be looking for somewhere that is good for families and that we can get to the great outdoors relativley easy as well as being not too far of a commute from work which I would expect to be downtown (anything up to an hour is ok with me!). Can anyone recommend areas to look at?

Are there any particular areas that are seeing a lot of development at the moment? This may make finding out where we would like to move easier as we may get a better idea of commute.

Lastly - what about Vancouver Island? Are there big companies and job opportunities on the island. Again any direction would be welcomed!

A lot to ask I know but any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed

Hi there,

I live in the North of Ontario which is almost as far away from where you want to live in Vancouver area. However, there is a lot of exploration going up here as well as one of the biggest gold mines starting back up. Do they need someone with your credentials, I don't know. But you could be looking for Detour gold mine information and possibilities.

Good luck to you
Sam