Foreign Trained Carpenters

Canadian employers and contractors have started to look outside Canada to recruit globally. This means good news for potential migrants as the process of immigration is shortened considerably due to job offers, validations and various other programs available under Citizenship Immigration Canada Please keep in mind that having a job offer does not mean that you can land in Canada and start working right away. What this means is that planning and gathering information for your new job, making informed decisions and it should take top priority!

Let’s take the Carpentry trade for example. This occupation is regulated in some provinces and unregulated in others. You may need to get certification as it may be compulsory. In the province of Quebec it is regulated and is compulsory. However in all other provinces and territories, trade certification, including inter-provincial trade certification (Red Seal), is available but voluntary for qualified carpenters. Some employers may request trade certification as a condition for employment.

Please note you must have a job offer first and validation or nominations resulting in a work permit before you enter Canada to take up a job. Please note that work permits are granted only if substantial professional or labour-related conditions warrant it. When examining applications for residence and work permits, authorities will pay particular attention to the following:

• Whether there are Canadians or Permanent Residents in Canada qualified to perform the job in question
• Permits are not granted to applicants seeking vacancies which can be filled by locals or people can be trained in Canada such as unskilled positions, e.g. pizza-bakers or messengers, etc.

In all circumstances, it is a requirement that salary and employment conditions meet the labour market standards and conditions, and that an employment contract has been drafted between the foreign employee and his or her employer. In certain cases, applicants may be required to submit appropriate professional credentials, or similar documents to HRSDC or CIC. In some cases, the HRSDC may require a statement from the relevant Association in order to process an application.

I would like to share with you what I found interesting on the HRSDC website especially for different types of Carpenters.  This covers all of Canada.

FRAMERS- NOC 7271

Framers construct, erect, install and repair wooden structures related to the shell of a house.

DUTIES:

• Interpret drawings and sketches to determine specifications;
• Measure, cut, shape and assemble wood to build foundations, floor beams walls and roof systems;
• Use basic carpentry tools and operate standard carpentry machines such a compressors, nail guns and circular saws.

PRE-REQUISTES:

• Verifiable training or experience as a framer.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in a construction environment.

RECOMMENDED WAGES:

• $27.00 per hour + benefits
• The rate shall be within the range determined by HRSDC to be the prevailing wage rate for the location where the work is to be performed and pending labour market conditions. Where a collective agreement is in place, that rate will prevail.

CARPENTERS– NOC 7271                                                                       

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes and other materials.

DUTIES:

• Interpret drawings and sketches to determine specifications
• Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware;
• Use basic carpentry tools and operate standard carpentry machines such a compressors, nail guns and circular saws.

PRE-REQUISITES:

• Verifiable training or experience as a carpenter.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in construction environment.

RECOMMENDED WAGES:

• $28.00 per hour + benefits

FORM WORKERS- NOC 7271

Form workers construct wooden forms in which concrete is to be poured to erect concrete structures. They also dismantle forms once concrete has cured.

DUTIES:

• Assemble wood forms to shape concrete structures including footings, walls, bridges, columns and sidewalks;
• Dismantle and clean re-usable forms for re-assembly or storage;
• Assist with cement pouring using equipment such as pumps, conveyor belts, wheelbarrows, vibrators, leveling tools and chutes;
• Operate power equipment such as circular saws, concrete vibrators, compressors, tampers and oxygen and acetylene cutting tools;
• Perform carpentry work and install steel re-enforcement bars;
• Prepare and install scaffolding if required.

PRE-REQUISITES:

• Verifiable training or experience as a form worker.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in construction environment.
• Physically able to manually manoeuvre 80 – 100 lbs. forms around construction sites.

RECOMMENDED WAGES:

• $29.00 per hour + benefits
• The rate shall be within the range determined by HRSDC to be the prevailing wage rate for the location where the work is to be performed and pending labour market conditions. Where a collective agreement is in place, that rate will prevail.

Another important factor that you should consider is the terminology that Canadians use at work. Here is some Canadian Terminology that you may find interesting:

Frame house: a house constructed with a skeletal framework of timber, usually sheathed with siding or shingles.

Half-Timber: having a timber framework with the spaces filled witn masonry or plaster. also, half-timbered.

Open timbered: constructed so that a framework of timbers is exposed.

Saltbox: wood-framed house found especially in New England with two full stores high in front and ones story high in back, the roof having about the same pitch in both directions so that the ridge is well toward the front to the house.

Tract House: house forming part of a real-estate development, usually having a plan and appearance common to some or all of the houses in he developed.

Shadi Norman is a licensed Employment consultant and member of CSIC. She can contacted by email: ansnorman@shaw.ca

Or visit her website: www.jobsearch-in-canada.com