[Nathan Hennessy]

Hi All,
I’m a piping designer currently in Perth, Western Australia and I will be heading over to Canada (Vancouver initially) to work in 2 months, at the end of June 2015 on a working visa. What is the job market like in Vancouver, Calgary areas etc at the moment? Would love for any feedback, also if people have recommendations for recruitment agencies to meet up with that would be great. I am free to work anywhere in Canada as I am not tied to one place. Once I arrive in late June if anyone would like to catch up in Vancouver for a beer to help out the ‘new kid’ on the block please get in touch.
Cheers,
Nathan

[Anton Dooley]

Hi Nathan,

I’m in Vancouver at the moment, but will be leaving and heading home to Ireland early July – we might get a chance to catch up before that.

Vancouver is very “flat” at the moment.
Much of the traditional business here is in the Mining & Pulp & paper industries … both of which are a very quiet right now.
A lot of the outfits here, Fluor, Amec, Hatch, Ausenco etc have all experienced layoffs over the last year or two, so unless a few of the many feasability studies, that everyone seems to be working on, goes to design, then things may start looking up.

Calgary is also experiencing a downturn, due to the low oil prices, but not as bad as Vancouver … yet.

Sorry the news ain’t better.
Anton

[Nathan Hennessy]

Thanks for the info Anton. Much appreciated. Sounds exactly like the situation over here in Perth. Well I already have my visa and flights booked so guess I will be heading over and giving it a crack. Hopefully I can find something and the work picks up. I will send you a message when I get over, see if we can’t catch up before you head back to Ireland.
Cheers,
Nathan

[Raphael Dufour]

Hi Nathan, I live in Calgary at the moment and I was working for Bantrel. Was working on a Husky project. In january, the client cancel the project due to the oil price. So now I’m looking for a new opportunity. It seem to be really quiet. I know couple other designer who get layoff too. The project run slowly and the oppening I found are for the intermediate designer between 5 to 10 years experience. Usa look much better but it is hard to get a work visa. I tryed many place… but no answer yet. Here in Canada, you can found many agency. Most of the time you need to have your own incorporation because they want you as a contractor. Noramtec is the one I deal with since 7 years. After that you have design group, firecroft, randstand and a lots of others. Just contact me on linkedin and you will be able to see those contact. Sometime I was thinking to move in Autralia… but now if the work are quiet that may wait !

[Nathan Hennessy]

Hi Raphael,
Thanks for insight and information. It’s good to be getting a feel for what to expect when I get over to Canada. Hopefully you find a role soon and you aren’t out of work for to long. And yes Australia is really quiet at the moment. Many of us here in Perth are waiting for things to hopefully start picking up soon.
Cheers,
Nathan

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