Question: Can A Yank Turn Wrenches In Canada?

[jetmek7]

Hello my friendly northern neighbors. I work as an aircraft mechanic for a US airline that is miserably failing, as is our entire industry, and am in desprerate need to get out of here. I've always loved Canada and wished I could live there. Perhaps it is the old cliche that the grass is greener or something, but I really don't like this country anymore. Be that as it may, my question is, how would I go about acquiring the needed certifications to work on aircraft for Canadian companies and would they even be interested in hiring an American? I understand that Canada likes to take care of its own people and doesn't need me horning in on available jobs which would otherwise be offered to a citizen. I would like to move there and become one if necessary, but I need to research what is involved with the transferability of my experience and credentials. I would hate to just show up looking for a job and find out that the only thing I am qualified to do is be a Walmart greeter :shock: . Any advise or recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ericroy]

Hey there Jetmek7

 

Well I have seen similar in specialised trades in the past. there are two main options.

 

1. go to the nearest canadian consolate in your area or contact the one in DC. advise them you are a skilled labourer and wish to move to canada, they then do an assessment and determine that you will not be a strain on the economy. once approved you move. hard part will be going through the trade board and union to determine what you need to transfer over if anything...

 

option2.

come for a vacation, look around and ask around, make calls before you come and find a company that is willing to sponsor you, does not need to be Air Canada. any aviation company that hires you can complete the paperwork on your behlaf and you will start on a Canadian work permit. once in you transfer everything over and voila.

 

best bet I recommend you call the consolate and talk to them, then the union or a trade school that offers your course, send them your paperwork and have them give you an evaluation on what you need, you may onloy need a few courses to right off your license.

 

I know we are short of good AME;s

 

Good Luck and I hope it works it off you.

[transquebecniece]

I work as an aircraft mechanic for a US airline that is miserably failing, as is our entire industry, and am in desprerate need to get out of here. I've always loved Canada and wished I could live there. Perhaps it is the old cliche that the grass is greener or something, but I really don't like this country anymore.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm. Sorry to hear such things (not the I love Canada part; the rest of it), but wish you well nonetheless.

 

(Tried real hard not to say anything here...I really, really did. **** fingers; will go find a hammer again.)

[jetmek7]

Hey there Jetmek7

 

Well I have seen similar in specialised trades in the past.  there are two main options.

 

1.  go to the nearest canadian consolate in your area or contact the one in DC.  advise them you are a skilled labourer and wish to move to canada, they then do an assessment and determine that you will not be a strain on the economy.  once approved you move.  hard part will be going through the trade board and union to determine what you need to transfer over if anything...

 

option2.

come for a vacation, look around and ask around, make calls before you come and find a company that is willing to sponsor you, does not need to be Air Canada. any aviation company that hires you can complete the paperwork on your behlaf and you will start on a Canadian work permit.  once in you transfer everything over and voila.

 

best bet I recommend you call the consolate and talk to them, then the union or a trade school that offers your course, send them your paperwork and have them give you an evaluation on what you need, you may onloy need a few courses to right off your license.

 

I know we are short of good AME;s

 

Good Luck and I hope it works it off you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[jetmek7]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thank you for your advise Ericroy. Its seems like it will be quite helpful. Could you recommend any job seeker sights geared toward Canadian aviation jobs? I actually like your second suggestion better than the Consolate idea. Getting a sponsor is a good way for me to test the waters. I live in norther Ohio and would like to consider the other side of Lake Erie so I'm not too far from family and friends (and my favorite lake). Thanks. :up:

 

JetMek

[jetmek7]

Hmmm. Sorry to hear such things (not the I love Canada part; the rest of it), but wish you well nonetheless.

 

(Tried real hard not to say anything here...I really, really did. **** fingers; will go find a hammer again.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

So I guess you are a transplant from Quebec? Sorry if I offended in anyway. I'm just unhappy with our president, our economy, our medical costs, and the fact that everyone is toting guns and kids kill each other in school. The Mexicans with fake credentials taking my good paying aviation job doesn't help much either. They have effectively driven down pay scales and comprimised quality in American aviation. Quite simply, it's f'd up. I haven't heard about any of this going on in Canada, unless I am mistaken.

[transquebecniece]

Third-generation Quebecian (is that a word? ) descendent and American, but aaaccckkk. Sorry if I made you feel the need to explain yourself, jm7. To each his own in our free societies; that's what is grand about both countries. Good luck on the possible transition. Really.

[Guest Bullet Remington]

Short Answer. You betcha. The VP Tech Services for WJA is an American!

 

If you can get a job with a Canadian company up here, you arrive at the border, pay a fixed sum, I think its around $100.00 bucks and get a temorary work permit. I'm not sure just how lomg it will let you stay here but it can be for about 6 months to 1.5 years I believe.

 

T'is a lot easier to come north to work than for us to go South to work. Bi lateral agreements and free trade zones are a concept yet to be understood by CCRA.!!

 

Good Luck to you!

 

 

BR

[JAR66_B2]

As for job seeker sites geared towards aviation work, I found monster and workopolis advertised some AME jobs.

 

I also went to the Transport Canada Aviation website and did a search for all FBO and AMO's then googled them to find the respective websites, and emailed the companies. Didn't have too much luck though, but in the end I'm British.

 

You might want to speak to them too about converting your licence.

 

That said, I just received an email from Diamond AIrcraft in London Ontario, asking to go and speak to them (I'm avionics biased) so there are things out there for non canadians.

[Skidz]

Third-generation Quebecian (is that a word? ) descendent and American, but aaaccckkk. Sorry if I made you feel the need to explain yourself, jm7. To each his own in our free societies; that's what is grand about both countries. Good luck on the possible transition. Really.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The correct term is "Québécois" (masculine) or "Québécoise" (feminine)...

 

Of course, anglo-Canadians call us "Quebeckers"...