[Timpo]

Has anyone tried jobs in Alberta? Particularly oil sand jobs?
I hear all the stories how people make 6 figures without overtime. I know that it's a hard labor and physically demanding, but I heard that Alberta jobs in general, are very well paid.

Have you guys ever tried it or thinking about doing it?
How did you get into it? Did you have any hook ups from friends and family?

[J.C]

Need GTR money?

[punkwax]

Start here

http://www.revscene.net/forums/684828-%5Bconfidential%5D-moving-fort-mac-would-you-do-13.html

[DC5-S]

I work in Alberta and the money is as good as they say. Good luck getting in without any good experience or tickets

[Hondaracer]

Meh, 5 guys I know went up all work for imperial oil only one is a ticketed trades person and they all are lead hands/foreman etc after less than a year with almost no applicable experience.

Like anything, it's all who you know.

Also if you have half a brain, it's not hard to be in charge of people with no brain.

[Hot Karl]

Not everyone can handle the time away from home, camp life or just small town life with minimal spare time.
I'm also here to make money not get wasted every night so that can/is an issue out here.

Social retards need not apply. Your crew will eat you alive.

[multicartual]

Just sell porn instead, more money, less hours

[Timpo]

Start here

http://www.revscene.net/forums/684828-%5Bconfidential%5D-moving-fort-mac-would-you-do-13.html

thanks, ill read it

[GabAlmighty]

You'll make over 100k with overtime at your first job.

Timpo, go work on drilling rigs. That'll give you a swift wake up call on if you can handle it out here.

[meme405]

I hear all the stories how people make 6 figures without overtime.

If you are in the sands and not working OT I don't know what you are doing with your life.

Is it possible to make 100k without OT, yeah maybe. But with OT that same person would be making 200k.

And companies up there don't give a shit worrying about OT costs, cause often times travel in and out will hurt them just as much as paying you for a little bit of OT.

[multicartual]

Pick up a camera and start by hiring women from Craigslist or Backpage to practice on.

Build up an aesthetic style to your porn and/or really niche it out.

Prepare to lose money for the first year while you pay yourself to have sex with beautiful women, aim for 1 per week. Build the site and enjoy being a playboy, release it once you have enough updates and start building a following!

(That's what I'd do if I got into porn today.)

[Timpo]

hmm so looks like I need to have some sort of connection then :(

[Timpo]

You'll make over 100k with overtime at your first job.

Timpo, go work on drilling rigs. That'll give you a swift wake up call on if you can handle it out here.

yeah that would be really hard, but people say there are many kinds of positions available, they all are tough labor, but some of them are less physically demanding than drilling.

[parm104]

yeah that would be really hard, but people say there are many kinds of positions available, they all are tough labor, but some of them are less physically demanding than drilling.

Why are you like this??

[jasonturbo]

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/5d/5dcb767b1b1b464c3a695a7331dcd33b949b973c7ff3ea3b90 9a57e9a3de7617.jpg

IMO it's hard to get an entry level position cause there are so many people jockeying for those jobs. If you don't have any sort of "hook up" or trade ticket it might take you a while to land something.

Get your CSTS safety ticket, it will greatly increase your hiring appeal.

[multicartual]

Every story I have heard abiout Fort Mac leads me to believe even for twice what I make right now, I would NEVER work in Fort Mac. The people and the atmosphere of the place are rumored to be just a nightmare to deal with.

[DC5-S]

Here's a tip. Do an instrumentation tech apprenticeship and you'll be set.

[tiger_handheld]

for the guys on the rigs, how do you manage the urge to 'party up' with the crew vs. saving for whats at home (car, family, etc.)? How do you handle the social aspect..

[meme405]

for the guys on the rigs, how do you manage the urge to 'party up' with the crew vs. saving for whats at home (car, family, etc.)? How do you handle the social aspect..

It ain't easy. Seriously.

But it depends on what you do, I only spent about 6 months while I was on the tools in Ft mac (the rest of the time was spent in BC, yukon, and NWT), and not partying it up with the rest of the guys who I made friends with was really hard, not from a I want to drink and do drugs view, but from a I just want to fit in and not be an outcast position. Unfortunately that's the reality of it, you will probably have a tough time earning a level of trust and companionship with the others if you don't go out with them. It's hard to explain but I think that kinda makes sense?

Now since I came off the tools, I have spent A LOT more time in Ft mac and FSJ, and because I work in the office now, I hang out with a much different crowd, and although I still make friends with the tradespeople and chill out with them, that sense of necessity to go out with them is no longer there, and the office people tend to be a lot more relaxed and less eager to "party" every night.

^This is all my experience and of course it varies for everyone and even what site you are on.

[Timpo]

ok so from what I can gather in this thread, are majority of people working for oil sand bunch of pot heads and alcoholics?

[godwin]

Not really, I noticed there are plenty of people who are moving into the neighborhood who works in the field to afford their families homes in Vancouver.. How else can you convince banks to offer first time home owners home loans for 1 -2 million?

ok so from what I can gather in this thread, are majority of people working for oil sand bunch of pot heads and alcoholics?

[Gerbs]

It ain't easy. Seriously.

But it depends on what you do, I only spent about 6 months while I was on the tools in Ft mac (the rest of the time was spent in BC, yukon, and NWT), and not partying it up with the rest of the guys who I made friends with was really hard, not from a I want to drink and do drugs view, but from a I just want to fit in and not be an outcast position. Unfortunately that's the reality of it, you will probably have a tough time earning a level of trust and companionship with the others if you don't go out with them. It's hard to explain but I think that kinda makes sense?

Now since I came off the tools, I have spent A LOT more time in Ft mac and FSJ, and because I work in the office now, I hang out with a much different crowd, and although I still make friends with the tradespeople and chill out with them, that sense of necessity to go out with them is no longer there, and the office people tend to be a lot more relaxed and less eager to "party" every night.

^This is all my experience and of course it varies for everyone and even what site you are on.

You lived in yellowknife?

[GabAlmighty]

for the guys on the rigs, how do you manage the urge to 'party up' with the crew vs. saving for whats at home (car, family, etc.)? How do you handle the social aspect..

It all depends on how bad you want the latter stuff. You'll get beaked for not getting shittered with the boys but at the end of the day it comes down to you doing your job and doing it well. Prove yourself with the work you do. For me, I don't do drugs because I just simply don't like them. I drink a lot.. On my days off. My motivation is buying a house and buying car parts. Gotta have a goal/vision.

ok so from what I can gather in this thread, are majority of people working for oil sand bunch of pot heads and alcoholics?

Not necessarily.

From what I gather from this thread all you're looking for is some quick easy money. Go be a fucking water hauler then.

[jasonturbo]

You lived in yellowknife?

I lived in YK for 7 years of my life :s #unrelated.

[nsmb]

just dont do what majin did

[ScizzMoney]

ok so from what I can gather in this thread, are majority of people working for oil sand bunch of pot heads and alcoholics?

I've lived in the mac for a few years now. Don't know many people that smoke pot. That stays in your system too long for drug tests etc. Coke is the 'weed' of Fort Mac.

[SkinnyPupp]

just dont do what majin did
What's that?

[LC21]

timpo working in fort mac?:heckno:

[meme405]

You lived in yellowknife?

No NWT I was strictly in a camp setting.

I was at Diavik. Don't know if anyone else has been there, I was there on and off during their transition from Open pit to underground. It's kinda a mess there, but super cool to see the site and look around the abandoned shit. I found a C-Can full of plasma TV's that was abandoned when south camp closed. Unfortunately all the TV's were fried cause the temperature inside the C-Can was probably like -30.

[sdubfid]

timpo working in fort mac?:heckno:

Sounds like an Ernest movie "timpo goes to site"

[parm104]

Sounds like an Ernest movie "timpo goes to site"

National Timpoon's Fort Mac Vacation

[jayv]

I've worked in the mac. I started after my first year of engineering as a summer student - dad is a QA/QC manager. It really does depend a lot on who you know. I know people that have been trying to get a job up there with tons of experience and cant get in. I've also gotten 2 of my friends jobs who have no experience; one for part of the summer and another full time (but he quit soon after).

Camp life isn't for everyone though, being away from people for weeks at a time sucks. I had friends up there though, and since I was an engineering student, I worked in the office so I sat in a computer all day and walked around occasionally. I've worked 2 weeks on 1 week off, and 9 days on and 5 days off last summer. My company paid for flights back and forth so I was actually home quite often. Also got to save a lot of money since being in camp, food and shelter was provided for so I spent nothing while I was up there.

Allowed me to pay for my degree without any debt, but then I bought a car right after graduating so now I'm in debt lolol. If you find a good company though, they really do take care of you.

And money is great, my buddy that I got a job with no experience (marketing student lol) made ~30K in 3 months of 2 weeks on and 1 week off.

TLDR its about who you know - and yes money is pretty damn good.

[Liquid_o2]

I have a few friends working for the Municipality of Wood Buffalo right now, so not on the rigs, but in city hall. They work in the same industry I do, but make 20-30% more in salary, plus monthly living allowance. They like it as a short term play (1-3 years), but I don't think I would do it based on lifestyle factor alone. I'd rather make a bit less and live in Vancouver.

[Timpo]

yeah I don't have any connections there

[twitchyzero]

I've worked in the mac. I started after my first year of engineering as a summer student - dad is a QA/QC manager. It really does depend a lot on who you know. I know people that have been trying to get a job up there with tons of experience and cant get in. I've also gotten 2 of my friends jobs who have no experience; one for part of the summer and another full time (but he quit soon after).

Camp life isn't for everyone though, being away from people for weeks at a time sucks. I had friends up there though, and since I was an engineering student, I worked in the office so I sat in a computer all day and walked around occasionally. I've worked 2 weeks on 1 week off, and 9 days on and 5 days off last summer. My company paid for flights back and forth so I was actually home quite often. Also got to save a lot of money since being in camp, food and shelter was provided for so I spent nothing while I was up there.

Allowed me to pay for my degree without any debt, but then I bought a car right after graduating so now I'm in debt lolol. If you find a good company though, they really do take care of you.

And money is great, my buddy that I got a job with no experience (marketing student lol) made ~30K in 3 months of 2 weeks on and 1 week off.

TLDR its about who you know - and yes money is pretty damn good.

not having to endure their winters, office work, airfare paid for, good money...wow that must be nice never mind just for students.

[Hondaracer]

well, thats what an engineering degree gets ya lol..

not like your working the goon spoon as a P-Eng

my brother is in his 4th year mech eng coop and he got offered a position starting at 80k to work with Taseko in williams lake. Lots of opportunities for the people who have the right education

[meme405]

well, thats what an engineering degree gets ya lol..

not like your working the goon spoon as a P-Eng

my brother is in his 4th year mech eng coop and he got offered a position starting at 80k to work with Taseko in williams lake. Lots of opportunities for the people who have the right education

Hahaha Gibraltar.

Taseko is a good site. The location is almost directly in between williams lake and quesnel so you can choose where you want to stay. (williams lake is a pretty decent place).

The facilities on site are nice, I helped build their new expansion (GDP3). So they have new equipment and components on site.

About the only hazard about working there is the drive to site. That road is worse than the highway of tears, in 6 months we lost 3 vehicles from deer collisions. Once you hit the actual mine road its part of grazing ground for a nearby cattle farm, so in the summer you have to be careful not to hit a cow, if you hit a female cow you have to pay like $10k.

I think the workers in the actual mine have bus transportation from Williams lake though. Us contractors arranged our own transport.

Mount Poly is the other site up near there, I wouldn't pick that site over Gibraltar. What a POS.

[Shorn]

anyone have any info on working up north as an EMR?
i heard its boring as hell but if i don't get into BCAS right away after getting licensed i might consider working as an industry paramedic for a while.. heard the money is decent

[GabAlmighty]

What do you want to know? They come out to safety meetings and then fuck off back to their shack to jerk off, watch tv, work on courses, generally do absolutely nothing.

[jasonturbo]

They come out to safety meetings and then fuck off back to their shack to jerk off, watch tv, generally do absolutely nothing.

That just might be the most accurate description of a superintendent I have ever read.

[westopher]

One of my close friends was an EMR on a drilling rig although it wasn't up in the mac. What Gab said is EXACTLY what he did. The positive is that he studied like a motherfucker for his ACP EMT test and killed it. I wish I would have gone up there younger, but can't get over the amount of time away from my wife and Dog to do it now. My wife's brother is up there as a dual ticket electrician/welder as well as an instrumentation apprentice and was just offered 320k a year to sign a 3 year contract. Its great money, but its had an interesting effect on his life. Think of it as selling your life to oil and gas for a few years, and have an exit plan and set the price high, or IMO its not worth it (for me of course)

[multicartual]

Fuck a dude I used to drink with said he's known a number of oil and gas workers who now have weird random flu and body aches years after working up there. Guy thinks it has to do with chems they work with. He had a duffle bag with gear in it stored at his family home and after not opening it for a year he found that his boots melted and a bunch of clothes dissolved!

[ScizzMoney]

..He had a duffle bag with gear in it stored at his family home and after not opening it for a year he found that his boots melted and a bunch of clothes dissolved!

If you believe that you're a ritard

[scENFORCER]

I'm finishing an arts degree this December (criminology, always wanted to be a cop) but I'm seriously considering Ft Mac for a few years to get outta debt an maybe buy a house. I'm a fit guy and the physical labour aspect doesn't scare me at all. I have no wife or dog or any other serious commitments that would make me want to come back to Vancouver.
The more I think about it the more I want to do it. But, as other people have mentioned, I have absolutely 0 connections up there. Any tips for someone like me?

EDIT: Just started reading that other linked thread. Seems like it might have some adivise..

[Hot Karl]

The only knock is really for guys with families who can't cut it. Be it missing the wife and kids or just not built for this. Between shitty food/travel etc
Folks don't seem to realize you make so much you can take time off. Like 6 months at a time. Money's great but you need to live your life and avoid a burnout or just plain bitterness. Save your money and you are good.

[godwin]

Summer is coming to an end and there will be job fairs for entry level jobs for coop students etc. at any tertiary education places once school starts.

Honestly "0 connections" is not an excuse. You start building network even just by researching and asking questions. There will always be colleagues, competitors etc that have better connections than you.

IMO if you don't have a graduate / professional degree and you still want to own non strata property (Freehold 1mill+) in Metro Vancouver (without being powered by parents etc etc), commuting up North or East is pretty much the only legal way to do it.


But, as other people have mentioned, I have absolutely 0 connections up there. Any tips for someone like me?

[GabAlmighty]

I'm finishing an arts degree this December (criminology, always wanted to be a cop) but I'm seriously considering Ft Mac for a few years to get outta debt an maybe buy a house. I'm a fit guy and the physical labour aspect doesn't scare me at all. I have no wife or dog or any other serious commitments that would make me want to come back to Vancouver.
The more I think about it the more I want to do it. But, as other people have mentioned, I have absolutely 0 connections up there. Any tips for someone like me?

EDIT: Just started reading that other linked thread. Seems like it might have some adivise..

Fire off as many resumes to as many companies as you can for as many positions as possible. THEN, call and follow back up with them.

[scENFORCER]

Summer is coming to an end and there will be job fairs for entry level jobs for coop students etc. at any tertiary education places once school starts.

Honestly "0 connections" is not an excuse. You start building network even just by researching and asking questions. There will always be colleagues, competitors etc that have better connections than you.

IMO if you don't have a graduate / professional degree and you still want to own non strata property (Freehold 1mill+) in Metro Vancouver (without being powered by parents etc etc), commuting up North or East is pretty much the only legal way to do it.

Yeah thanks, hitting up recruiters would be a good place to start. I'll ask around at school for any job fairs or info sessions that oil rigs might be at.

[godwin]

If Fort McMurray is your goal.. then it might be wise to apply to the firms Ab offices instead of BC offices. Just coming up with a list of companies that do work that interest you is a good start.

Yeah thanks, hitting up recruiters would be a good place to start. I'll ask around at school for any job fairs or info sessions that oil rigs might be at.

[scENFORCER]

If Fort McMurray is your goal.. then it might be wise to apply to the firms Ab offices instead of BC offices. Just coming up with a list of companies that do work that interest you is a good start.

Thanks, yea but thats what I mean about 0 connections. I'm not sure how it would work with applying to places in Alberta, I suppose I'd have to fly there a buncha times for interviews before finding a job?
This concerns me because I spent over $1k (flight/hotel/etc) flying to Edmonton for an interview with the Alberta Sheriffs, not to mention almost another $1k to get all the certificates and courses needed just to apply. I ended up not getting the job, and eating $2k hurt for a budget conscious student trying to pay his way through school.

I recently got to know someone thourgh work, and he explained that his sister apparently got a Health and Safety job working on remote job sites across BC and Alberta. This job interests me because this girl randomly applied with an arts degree and no supporting expierience - same situation as me. Apparently in her frist 6 months she made $64K. Little labour necessary in this job as well. Does anyone have any insight into Health and Safety jobs? Here are the companies she suggested to me..
Pivotal Safety - Careers (http://www.pivotalsafety.ca/careers.html)
Industrial Safety Careers (http://www.targetsafety.ca/careers/)

[DragonChi]

I think it's the workplace equality thing too. In some fields, being a woman is enough to get hired.

[scENFORCER]

Good point, didn't think about that. I assumed it would be harder for her because of the nature of the job..

[multicartual]

I know a guy who was doing smokey environment rescue or some shit and he was up in Fort Mac at some safety seminar.


They had a huge classroom with 100+ guys in it and they were running down a checklist of things to do in an emergency, one of the instructors was quizzing everyone on something like, in what order do you rescue personnel?

Someone yelled out "By skin colour, whites first, pakis last"

The whole room laughed!

That's the mentality up there, as far as I've heard!

[Gucci Mane]

i make jokes like that often and im EI.

[Hot Karl]

I know a guy who was doing smokey environment rescue or some shit and he was up in Fort Mac at some safety seminar.


They had a huge classroom with 100+ guys in it and they were running down a checklist of things to do in an emergency, one of the instructors was quizzing everyone on something like, in what order do you rescue personnel?

Someone yelled out "By skin colour, whites first, pakis last"

The whole room laughed!

That's the mentality up there, as far as I've heard!

Well that's it. You heard 1 story and it's obviously like that. Or the folks who actually work there can tell you what's up.

It's a male dominated work place. If you can't handle some teasing or joking you're gonna be an outcast in any male dominated work place.

Every single woman I've worked with in industrial has had an epic sense of humour.

I'm a chink up here.

[Shorn]

What do you want to know? They come out to safety meetings and then fuck off back to their shack to jerk off, watch tv, work on courses, generally do absolutely nothing.

That's pretty much what I heard too. Really bad for keeping your skills up to date too.. But lots of free time to study/online courses I guess. Any idea what the pay is like and how in demand they are right now?

[Liquid_o2]

Also, if people are seriously thinking of entering that kind of job market, but don't want to live in Fort McMurray, there are lots of jobs available in NISKU which is just south of Edmonton (across from the airport). It is one of the world's largest energy industrial parks, and a lot of the stuff that gets built there makes its way up to Fort McMurray. Not sure if the pay is the same as Fort McMurray, but it is a good start as every company had a Help Wanted sign out front when I drove through there last month.

[multicartual]

Goddamn you couldn't pay me 200k to live anywhere east of Main street

[GabAlmighty]

That's pretty much what I heard too. Really bad for keeping your skills up to date too.. But lots of free time to study/online courses I guess. Any idea what the pay is like and how in demand they are right now?

As far as "oil patch" jobs go the money isn't very good. But you'll make more than the equivalent job in the mainland and since it's such easy work you can easily do a 5 week hitch and not be completely burnt out. From what I was told you get a day rate, then you get paid substantially more if you actually have to do some medic work.

[godwin]

No Kidding.. you are not there actually building anything. I think medic is a good side thing to have but if you want the big $ you still have to get dirty or high up in management.

It seems the undertone in this thread is how to get a job in the oil sands without much training and/or upfront cost, won't get you dirty / laborious but gets you tons of money. I haven't seen any unicorns like that have you?

As far as "oil patch" jobs go the money isn't very good. But you'll make more than the equivalent job in the mainland and since it's such easy work you can easily do a 5 week hitch and not be completely burnt out. From what I was told you get a day rate, then you get paid substantially more if you actually have to do some medic work.

[jasonturbo]

IMO medic is right up there with security in terms of the worst possible career path to take advantage of in the oil sands.

Again IMO, absolute quickest way to make the most money is via NDT/Inspection. Notice I didn't say the easiest, it's far from the most labor intense job, but some people still can't hack it.

An expensive, though excellent introduction into the field is offered at SAIT, from here you can get out and immediately work towards your hours, end up with various CGSB tickets in less than a year... and then hello 200K/year if you work like a dog and you're not a retard.

Non-Destructive Testing Foundations | SAIT Polytechnic | Calgary, Alberta (http://www.sait.ca/programs-and-courses/full-time-studies/certificates/non-destructive-testing-foundations-course-overview.php)

There is also the glorious fact that these tickets could even get you work locally with a decent wage as well :)

[adambomb]

Goddamn you couldn't pay me 200k to live anywhere east of Main street

You should venture east of Main Street more often. The blow is still pretty good. :toot:

[multicartual]

You should venture east of Main Street more often. The blow is still pretty good. :toot:


I'm off the booger sugar!!!

[Jmac]

Finally got my GPO certificate (after graduating last year). :toot:

Not that I'll use it ... or remember anything from it.

Hoping I can get a solid 6-figure (or at least high-5-figure) job here, but if I can't, what can a 3rd class power engineer with instrumentation and gas processing certificates in addition to DDC programming and HVAC experience make in AB?

Hope to have all of them done by the end of next year.

[DC5-S]

Finally got my GPO certificate (after graduating last year). :toot:

Not that I'll use it ... or remember anything from it.

Hoping I can get a solid 6-figure (or at least high-5-figure) job here, but if I can't, what can a 3rd class power engineer with instrumentation and gas processing certificates in addition to DDC programming and HVAC experience make in AB?

Hope to have all of them done by the end of next year.

150k - 250k, thats if you want to work in the oilsands. But im sure some city jobs pay right up there as well. Dunno if you will need ALL that at the job you apply for, still helps to make the resume look better.

[Shorn]

IMO medic is right up there with security in terms of the worst possible career path to take advantage of in the oil sands.


For sure.. I was just looking into doing it for the short term while waiting to take the next level paramedic course. Definitely do not wanna be in industry paramedicine as a career.

[Tetsugen]

My cousin is looking to get into a job at fort mac when he's done schooling, he's a first year electrician. Any suggestions for good companies ?

[jayv]

Again IMO, absolute quickest way to make the most money is via NDT/Inspection. Notice I didn't say the easiest, it's far from the most labor intense job, but some people still can't hack it.


This. They're always looking for inspectors, and the pay is great. Plus, once you have some experience, getting a contractor job allows you to make a ridiculous amount of money if you're not looking for job security.

[skiiipi]

I know a guy who was doing smokey environment rescue or some shit and he was up in Fort Mac at some safety seminar.


They had a huge classroom with 100+ guys in it and they were running down a checklist of things to do in an emergency, one of the instructors was quizzing everyone on something like, in what order do you rescue personnel?

Someone yelled out "By skin colour, whites first, pakis last"

The whole room laughed!

That's the mentality up there, as far as I've heard!

Yea lots of racism up here.
Especially towards to middle eastern demographic.
And oddly enough the Jamaican black people are racist towards the African black people.

[jasonturbo]

Yea lots of racism up here.


Mostly towards Newfies.

[skiiipi]

Mostly towards Newfies.

Well I work in retail up here and two of my managers are black, I am asian and I have 3 Caucasian managers. Often times when we get called up the customer would ask to speak to a white manager.... They usually say "I want to speak to someone that's actually Canadian"
I have had to kick a few people out of my store for calling my staff the n word.

Now I don't hire anybody on the tfw program, but because a lot of my staff are not white, people automatically assume that these staff are on foreign work visas (which they are not) and they make comments about how as a company we need to hire more good old fashioned Canadian workers. (which means white people to them)

[Jmac]

Racism is everywhere, unfortunately.

[skiiipi]

Having worked in a few small towns... I must say a lot of times it is ignorance rather than pure racism.
Hard to believe, but a lot of small town folks have a hard time understanding how you can be "Canadian" if you are not white or I guess native (but there is a lot of racism there too).
When I worked in vernon, I had staff that had never been to vancouver and have a hard time believing me when I tell them that over 50% of the population in Richmond is asian.

[meowjinboo]

What do you want to know? They come out to safety meetings and then fuck off back to their shack to jerk off, watch tv, work on courses, generally do absolutely nothing.

Can confirm did somethign similiar. Quit after my second rotation because I hated how bored I was.

[meowjinboo]

Just scrolling instagram today I saw that my cousin who is a hairdresser went up to work on a rig.

It makes no fucking sense to me. He has a successful youtube channel and Hairdressers do well (easily 70-80k a year) but chose to go become a rig pig.

I'm guessing he's doing a rotation then comes back to cut hair?

Either way good luck to those that head up. Thinking about doing my 3rd year of my apprenticeship up north.

[Mining]

Pipe fitters and welders make a lot of money here and they are usually always in demand as I've heard.

If you're interested in operating shovels, trucks, dozers, graders (support equipment, etc), you should have some experiences before anyone would consider you.

If anyone is interested, the local college (keyano) offers truck driving courses (I'm talking about big stuff like 797 Haul Trucks), and I've met operators who have gone that route.

The company I work for laid off a lot of people (contractors), due to not being able to produce training records, so if your boss ever says to forget about training records...you might be risking your job. Health and Safety officers can demand you to produce your training records at any time.

You don't have to live in Fort McMurray to work there. There are a lot of companies (mostly the bigger ones), who fly you in and out from either Edmonton or Calgary and maybe a few smaller places along the way.

One advice I'd have to give is, if given the choice, try not to work as a contractor. Even though contractors make a lot of money, the trend is that the big companies have been getting rid of them to reduce cost to the company. I have seen this with my own eyes over the past year I've been here. My office had many contractor personnel and now? almost 0. All have been either converted or laid off. They are still around and we still need them but that is the trend. I've been in meetings where higher management have brought up the issue of "still needing to let go a few more contractors".

Oh and safety is #1 here. If you don't care about safety, then you won't be working here.

[jasonturbo]

Pipe fitters and welders make a lot of money here and they are usually always in demand as I've heard.

If you're interested in operating shovels, trucks, dozers, graders (support equipment, etc), you should have some experiences before anyone would consider you.

If anyone is interested, the local college (keyano) offers truck driving courses (I'm talking about big stuff like 797 Haul Trucks), and I've met operators who have gone that route.

The company I work for laid off a lot of people (contractors), due to not being able to produce training records, so if your boss ever says to forget about training records...you might be risking your job. Health and Safety officers can demand you to produce your training records at any time.

You don't have to live in Fort McMurray to work there. There are a lot of companies (mostly the bigger ones), who fly you in and out from either Edmonton or Calgary and maybe a few smaller places along the way.

One advice I'd have to give is, if given the choice, try not to work as a contractor. Even though contractors make a lot of money, the trend is that the big companies have been getting rid of them to reduce cost to the company. I have seen this with my own eyes over the past year I've been here. My office had many contractor personnel and now? almost 0. All have been either converted or laid off. They are still around and we still need them but that is the trend. I've been in meetings where higher management have brought up the issue of "still needing to let go a few more contractors".

Oh and safety is #1 here. If you don't care about safety, then you won't be working here.

Hmmmm, can't say I agree with much of anything you said. Not trying to sound like a dick, it's just a matter of perspective I suppose.

I've been contracting for 7+ years and hold a fairly senior position with a major company, if I would have listened to your advice 7 years ago and taken a salary job.... I would have made half the money that I did, and I would have paid twice as much tax.

[meme405]

Hmmmm, can't say I agree with much of anything you said. Not trying to sound like a dick, it's just a matter of perspective I suppose.

I've been contracting for 7+ years and hold a fairly senior position with a major company, if I would have listened to your advice 7 years ago and taken a salary job.... I would have made half the money that I did, and I would have paid twice as much tax.

I just transitioned to working as a contractor, and I now seek (and have been successful) at finding contracts with a couple other companies as well. If you are good at what you do, and have a good reputation then contracting out to other companies opens A LOT of doors.

In terms of the training and tickets subject, any trades person knows (especially welders) that any lapses where you were not working, or period of inconsistent tracking of what you are doing is of concern.

Welders especially, if you don't weld to a procedure (SMAW, GTAW, etc) for 6 months or more you have to get re-certified to that procedure.

In other news finally got my NACE L2 CIP. God damn that was a long time in the making. lol

[jasonturbo]

NACE CIP LVL 3 ;) #coatingexpert I have a plaque that says so hahahaha

[meme405]

NACE CIP LVL 3 ;) #coatingexpert I have a plaque that says so hahahaha

:2finger2:

I probably won't even ever use it, but it looks good on the resume...lol

[GabAlmighty]

My company is moving to a 20 and 10 rotation for us fluid dicks in September which means I don't have to pay for my flights anymore so i'll be even more rich. This job is gravy, except for night shift last night, one of our pumps decided to poop itself, then when we fixed it the other side decided to poop itself, then the transmission started overheating.

[blue_noise]

We are doing 14/7 here at surmount 2. With 3.5 hours of time and half in a 10 hour day. 2 half hour paid lunch everyday. Double time on every public holiday.
For electrician, we get 46.86 a hour, get close to 40000 before tax every 3 month. With flight, food and room paid for. The best thing is no share bathroom. The money is not as good as syncrude or other CBA job. But it saves me on driving to site and gang shower everyday. It pays to be union. They made me QA/QC even though I am not local 424 boy. If I move to Alberta, there is probably a complimentary white hat waiting for me on my bed. But my wife would never agree to move there. If you want to see what union job is available in fort mac . Just go to ibew424.net and look at job line.

[multicartual]

I want a sand job!


Sand jobs for all!

[adambomb]

Rig pig. Sand digger. The names are endless... :concentrate: :haha:

[Gululu]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

[blue_noise]

I am Chinese and I do have a degree in business. But doing blue collar is lot more fun and interesting than dressing in some dress shirt and tie. A good tradesman doesn't really get dirty.

[dvst8]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

This is not about education, it is about the job market. If you've lived long enough you would understand that education does not mean you're going to be financially secure. You can master all degrees you want at ABC University but if there is no job market you'll still be that jobless educated kid.

Also, I don't know why you always relate all your posts to the chinese.....you racists or just too annoyingly proud?

[meme405]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

Your parents obviously didn't smack you as much as they needed to.

For our society to operate it requires people to fill all the positions necessary, right from janitor all the way up to prime minister.

The reason those of us who go to Ft. Mac and elsewhere get paid so much is because nobody wants to do it. It's difficult to find people who can adequately fill the positions, and many times when you do find these people, they end up leaving after a few rotations cause they can't cut it. This life ain't easy, and it isn't for everyone, that's why we get paid so much.

Also many of the trades people who get paid so much up there are VERY skilled, so to call everyone up there just labourers, is pretty fucking stupid.

I welcome you to come crawl inside a 5 foot diameter tank barely tall enough to have me sit upright in it and weld an overhand position. On your way to the hospital after you burn your face to a crisp, your opinion of tradespeople might change slightly.

[multicartual]

If you've lived long enough you would understand that education does not mean you're going to be financially secure.


You know what's crazy? I've sold porn for 11 years now and of like 95%+ of people I meet, I've been in business the longest or held a single "job" for longer than anyone I know!!!

A couple real estate agents, lawyers, photographers, actors, and models I know have worked the same job for longer, but that's about it. Most people I meet in their 30's have switched jobs many, many times.

[multicartual]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age.



Dude google "Gorilla Gras"


Back in like 2004, I had the top link on Spermshack dot com re-selling this site for like a week


I made $20,000 in like 4 days from a video of a man in a gorilla suit spraying pina colada mix out of a black cock shaped dildo all over the faces of college girls at Mardi Gras


This is how money is made


I used to drive trucks for $12 an hour, what a shit life compared to this

[multicartual]

This life ain't easy, and it isn't for everyone, that's why we get paid so much.



Yep, and lord knows what kind of chemicals some of the guys get exposed to!


Brave mothafuckas, especially some of those deep mine workers in NWT

[68style]

I made $20,000 in like 4 days from a video of a man in a gorilla suit spraying pina colada mix out of a black cock shaped dildo all over the faces of college girls at Mardi Gras



Hate you... not because of this... because the other day at work I sent an email to someone and I accidentally typed "multicartual" instead of "multicultural" because I was reading your damn posts before I wrote the email, and now the receipient thinks I was being playfully racist, but isn't quite as amused as he probably should be.

[sdubfid]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

The brain surgeon who would fix your brain (if even possible) gets paid less than some people who play with balls.


Typical year has 8760 hours.
Most people work ~40 hours a week/2100hours a year.

Lets say schedule is 84 hours a week for 26 weeks a year. Works out to 2184 hours a year.

Now add another 2184 hours of being in camp since there are 24 hours in a day and only 12 in a shift.

So that's ~4380 hours spent in a prison cell away from your home/wife/kids/bunny rabbit bodykit etc. Lets say $150000. That works out to $34 an hour.

[GS8]

Racism is everywhere, unfortunately.

People that annoy you

_IGGERS

...

RIGGERS!!

-----

And with comments like the one I just made, I can accurately say I do not have the mental capacity to obtain the fine degrees and / or certificates many of you guys have.

:okay:

[meowjinboo]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

you think its easy to do a trade?

[Hondaracer]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

if the majority of these "highly educated" people were so smart, they'd realize that their dime a dozen degree doesn't even make enough to pay their student loans off. If the same people had gotten into trades they'd be probably excelling and making boat loads of money

these days degree's dont mean shit if you cant actually use it for a usefull profession, high end business, engineering, law etc. just cause you went to school for 6 years to get a masters in romantic languages doesn't mean you should make more than a guy in a mud pit for 12 hours a day.

[vitaminG]

Guess you didn't take econ in college. Supply and demand dipshit

[jasonturbo]

Ohhh... Gululu, I hope your parents have a big company and a lot of money.

Canada has never been a hotspot for tech and innovation, we're too busy buttfucking our resources to give a shit about that sort of thing.

[GS8]

blue collars labours making significantly higher wages than highly educated bright white collars...? imo this is a sign of backwardness in this day and age. low skill labourers should not be paid this much. fuck higher education right? i mean is this what canada encourages kids to be? no wonder canada is falling behind other countries technology, research, not to mention the bad economy. i predict that the average canadian's quality of life will most likely decrease in the next 20 years while the chinese and indian will be living better off.

Please only ejaculate straight into the toilet

[meme405]

Canada has never been a hotspot for tech and innovation, we're too busy buttfucking our resources to give a shit about that sort of thing.

I am the happiest and proudest Canadian on the days when I can facilitate in the systematic raping and pillaging of our natural resources for the benefit of myself and others.

:troll:

[westopher]

you think its easy to do a trade?

Doesn't matter, he will just suck off of his parents financial tit for most of his life anyway til they blow all their money on gucci handbags and ferrari californias and can't support him anymore.

[Mining]

Hmmmm, can't say I agree with much of anything you said. Not trying to sound like a dick, it's just a matter of perspective I suppose.

I've been contracting for 7+ years and hold a fairly senior position with a major company, if I would have listened to your advice 7 years ago and taken a salary job.... I would have made half the money that I did, and I would have paid twice as much tax.

Definitely dependent on what your job is, how well you perform, and what the company is striving towards. When you got your job it was 7 years ago, and now that you are a senior and pretty much know everything to your job they must want to keep you. But nowadays this is the trend I'm seeing with consultants to be more specific. I should have mentioned that, that the contractors I see leaving are consultants and not trades. This is something I see at my work place anyway.

Good point nonetheless. Much depends on perspective I can't agree with that.

[godwin]

Alberta's Economy Sizzles. The Rest of Canada's Fizzles (http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-31/albertas-economy-sizzles-dot-the-rest-of-canadas-fizzles#r=nav-r-story)
By Greg Quinn July 31, 2014

In Canada’s economy there’s Alberta, then there’s everywhere else. The oil- and gas-rich western province added 81,800 jobs over the last 12 months, while the rest of Canada lost 9,500. Canada’s jobless rate is 7.1 percent, Alberta’s 4.9 percent. Alberta’s trade surplus, C$7.4 billion ($6.8 billion) in May, almost matched the trade deficit rung up by all the other provinces. Growth in gross domestic product for Alberta, forecast at 3.5 percent this year, beats projected growth for the rest. The province is drawing thousands of young people, most in search of energy jobs that pay in the six figures. It has been “effectively the lone driver” of recent housing starts in Canada, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) estimates. Alberta’s per capita gross domestic product will reach C$88,000 next year, C$35,000 more than the rest of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) economists predict.

The rise of Alberta poses a challenge to policymakers. Oil wealth has strengthened the Canadian dollar, battering exports by Ontario and Quebec, the two provinces traditionally at the center of the nation’s economy. Canada’s central bank is keeping interest rates near historic lows, helping to weaken the currency. The policy has boosted local demand, but the Canadian dollar is still strong enough to blunt industrial exports. Alberta oil producers are selling heavy oil derived from tar sands at $78 a barrel. Almost all their customers are in the U.S., where local per-barrel prices range from $90 to $106.

“We see a two-track economy,” Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz told reporters on July 16 after he extended the longest pause in interest rate hikes since the 1950s. Canada’s non-energy exports have disappointed, he said, while energy exports have been strong. “Right now we don’t have a sustainable growth picture in Canada,” said Poloz.

The two-tier model threatens a decades-old federal policy to make manufacturing the heart of Canada’s economy. A 1965 pact established a single U.S.-Canada market for autos, and a 1988 free-trade agreement to wipe out tariffs on goods traded by the two nations was later expanded to include Mexico. Now Ontario, long the most populous province, has been hurt by cutbacks at the Canadian plants of automakers such as General Motors (GM) as well as the general manufacturing slump. The province has always bounced back. But the dynamism of Alberta could eventually threaten the primacy of Ontario.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who represents part of the Alberta city of Calgary in Parliament, foresees C$650 billion going to Canadian natural resource projects over the next decade. One would be a 731-mile pipeline to ship Alberta’s oil to the Pacific coast, where tankers can take it to Asia. With China as a customer, Alberta could be Canada’s hot spot for years.

[meme405]

Alberta's Economy Sizzles. The Rest of Canada's Fizzles (http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-31/albertas-economy-sizzles-dot-the-rest-of-canadas-fizzles#r=nav-r-story)
By Greg Quinn July 31, 2014

In Canada’s economy there’s Alberta, then there’s everywhere else. The oil- and gas-rich western province added 81,800 jobs over the last 12 months, while the rest of Canada lost 9,500. Canada’s jobless rate is 7.1 percent, Alberta’s 4.9 percent. Alberta’s trade surplus, C$7.4 billion ($6.8 billion) in May, almost matched the trade deficit rung up by all the other provinces. Growth in gross domestic product for Alberta, forecast at 3.5 percent this year, beats projected growth for the rest. The province is drawing thousands of young people, most in search of energy jobs that pay in the six figures. It has been “effectively the lone driver” of recent housing starts in Canada, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) estimates. Alberta’s per capita gross domestic product will reach C$88,000 next year, C$35,000 more than the rest of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) economists predict.

The rise of Alberta poses a challenge to policymakers. Oil wealth has strengthened the Canadian dollar, battering exports by Ontario and Quebec, the two provinces traditionally at the center of the nation’s economy. Canada’s central bank is keeping interest rates near historic lows, helping to weaken the currency. The policy has boosted local demand, but the Canadian dollar is still strong enough to blunt industrial exports. Alberta oil producers are selling heavy oil derived from tar sands at $78 a barrel. Almost all their customers are in the U.S., where local per-barrel prices range from $90 to $106.

“We see a two-track economy,” Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz told reporters on July 16 after he extended the longest pause in interest rate hikes since the 1950s. Canada’s non-energy exports have disappointed, he said, while energy exports have been strong. “Right now we don’t have a sustainable growth picture in Canada,” said Poloz.

The two-tier model threatens a decades-old federal policy to make manufacturing the heart of Canada’s economy. A 1965 pact established a single U.S.-Canada market for autos, and a 1988 free-trade agreement to wipe out tariffs on goods traded by the two nations was later expanded to include Mexico. Now Ontario, long the most populous province, has been hurt by cutbacks at the Canadian plants of automakers such as General Motors (GM) as well as the general manufacturing slump. The province has always bounced back. But the dynamism of Alberta could eventually threaten the primacy of Ontario.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who represents part of the Alberta city of Calgary in Parliament, foresees C$650 billion going to Canadian natural resource projects over the next decade. One would be a 731-mile pipeline to ship Alberta’s oil to the Pacific coast, where tankers can take it to Asia. With China as a customer, Alberta could be Canada’s hot spot for years.

Good article, really portrays the disparity between the west and the east of Canada.

The growing gap between Alberta & BC vs. the eastern provinces has already created a major rift. People out here are starting to realize it's bullshit how much we rape and pillage our provinces and the money just flows eastward.

Ontario and Quebec are like boat anchors, should have let those frenchies separate a long time ago.

[godwin]

I think Ab has been affecting BC especially in real estate more than people realise. Most of my neighbors in the town home complex in Coal Harbor are from Ab.. just weekend / holiday use for their kids and wives (and ex-wives). The fact that this users on this board doesn't seem to realise (I wager because most are young), is once you are on the property market for a while, getting additional mortgages to expand your portfolio is dead easy in this low interest environment (provide you structure your mortgage correctly, ie no 20+ year mortgages etc). All the talk about restricting foreigners buying local property is bunk, because freedom of movement is a right for Canadians within Canada. In the end you will restrict flashy foreigners but the price won't go down, because the real out of towners buying are Canadians.

Now at my other places in BC, I noticed the neighbors who can afford to buy houses are all tradespeople who commute to work to Ab and leaving family behind during the week (not all are in oil fields but supporting things like metal work, remediation etc etc).

I would say divorce (where 1 household becomes 2 or more) and Ab's resource wealth are primarily drivers for the real estate boom in BC.. it is not just in Vancouver, but Nelson, Kelowna (not to mention Revelstoke ski properties etc).

So for people on this board who would like to own property in BC and have liberal arts degrees, but not good with economics / math.. I would suggest moving East to Ab to try your luck on the oil fields to get dirty.

Good article, really portrays the disparity between the west and the east of Canada.

The growing gap between Alberta & BC vs. the eastern provinces has already created a major rift. People out here are starting to realize it's bullshit how much we rape and pillage our provinces and the money just flows eastward.

Ontario and Quebec are like boat anchors, should have let those frenchies separate a long time ago.

[jasonturbo]

I'm currently working on large project that runs from Sarnia to Montreal. I spend on average about 10 days a month touring the sites and sitting in meetings.This time has allowed me to form some fairly distint opinions on Ontario/Quebec.

I really don't know how to explain it, but people out east are simply different, the culture and mentality as it relates to work is just totally warped.

My experience working with union contractors in western Canada has been great, not perfect, but very good. My experience with union contractors in eastern canada has provided me with some explanation as to why people trash unions so hard. The unions in easteren Canada represent all that is wrong with unionization. Please note that I am trashing the unions as organizations, many of the workers are very good people with a reasonable work ethic and knowledge base etc.

Listen to some of the stories from the UAW guys that aren't full of shit, GM = Generous Motors, the compensation and benefits these people get is crazy.. what they used to get is completely retarded.

Spend some time in both of those provinces and you will understand why they are broke, just imagine in Quebec they force everyone to take a two week "construction holiday" in the middle of summer :s You have to get special permits if you want to, or have to work during that period. The tax incentives to have children are crazy, good idea, reward the socialists for producing more socialists... so the rest of Canada can suffer financially.

Screw you Ontario and Quebec. The two provinces, especially Ontario, are suffering from the same problems that plague Michigan, their mfg industry was only succesful because of the lack of competition. Globalization has crushed these mfg businesses, most of the companies lacked the forsight and effort to actually plan long term and adjust their business as needed to stay competitive.

People in Ontario are so happy to bitch about external variables they can't control instead of doing something about their own lives. Yeah sure Alberta is part of Canada and maybe the Federal govt. can do something to twist and level the playing field, but that does nothing to solve their problems in a global scheme. Bringing the dollar down by .10-.15 would just prolong their financial death IMO.

Meh, liberals and socialist, this is why I am a conservative capialist. I like having the power to decide my own financial fate.

[godwin]

I think it is impractical to have a nihilist view that all Ontario/Que manufacturing jobs will be all gone. It takes time to transition, it takes more time to get union culture out of the system. Lower dollar gives manufacturer the breathing room to wait out some of the union people to retire and automate. In fact I would say automation the last few years have gain back some manufacturing jobs back to Canada.

in the end, Ontario is still using vast majority of the hydocarbon feedstock eg PET and all types of plastics for manufacturing (fiber mills). Quebec will always have cheap hydro.. large companies like General Dynamics etc are still building stuff out there that use steel. Like it or not there is no manufacturing jobs at that scale West of Ontario. Heck most of my engineering suppliers (bearings, metal etc) are either from down south or out in Ontario.

I don't think that will change within anyone's lifetime on this board.


what they used to get is completely retarded.

most of the companies lacked the forsight and effort to actually plan long term and adjust their business as needed to stay competitive.

[meme405]

I think Ab has been affecting BC especially in real estate more than people realise. Most of my neighbors in the town home complex in Coal Harbor are from Ab.. just weekend / holiday use for their kids and wives (and ex-wives). The fact that this users on this board doesn't seem to realise (I wager because most are young), is once you are on the property market for a while, getting additional mortgages to expand your portfolio is dead easy in this low interest environment (provide you structure your mortgage correctly, ie no 20+ year mortgages etc). All the talk about restricting foreigners buying local property is bunk, because freedom of movement is a right for Canadians within Canada. In the end you will restrict flashy foreigners but the price won't go down, because the real out of towners buying are Canadians.

Now at my other places in BC, I noticed the neighbors who can afford to buy houses are all tradespeople who commute to work to Ab and leaving family behind during the week (not all are in oil fields but supporting things like metal work, remediation etc etc).

I would say divorce (where 1 household becomes 2 or more) and Ab's resource wealth are primarily drivers for the real estate boom in BC.. it is not just in Vancouver, but Nelson, Kelowna (not to mention Revelstoke ski properties etc).

So for people on this board who would like to own property in BC and have liberal arts degrees, but not good with economics / math.. I would suggest moving East to Ab to try your luck on the oil fields to get dirty.

Yup sad for those who hedged their bets on the wrong industries...:whistle:

[scoobyej20]

hey guys I'm up in Fort Mac now..

suppose to take Electrical Pre-Employment in Sept at Keyano.. but might change my plan.


I have OSSA Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry/Monitor, Regional Orientation Program and CSTS.

any help of getting a decent job in the oil field would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[DC5-S]

hey guys I'm up in Fort Mac now..

suppose to take Electrical Pre-Employment in Sept at Keyano.. but might change my plan.


I have OSSA Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry/Monitor, Regional Orientation Program and CSTS.

any help of getting a decent job in the oil field would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Where is your H2S alive and SFA CPR C

[koukimonst3r]

Where is your H2S alive and SFA CPR C

Usually the employers would train the employees to get their H2S Alive and SFA. You'd need Gas Monitor training too since you've got Confined space.

[scoobyej20]

Thanks I'll get them done sometime this week.

Also just wondering if the Power Engineering online course is worth taking as it doesn't come with the firing time.

gonna try to get 4th class PE done after school if it's not too intensive.

Where is your H2S alive and SFA CPR C

[Jmac]

Thanks I'll get them done sometime this week.

Also just wondering if the Power Engineering online course is worth taking as it doesn't come with the firing time.

gonna try to get 4th class PE done after school if it's not too intensive.
It's worth getting if you can find a place willing to give you firing time after you pass your A test.

I ended up taking a course at VIU because I couldn't get firing time on my own (was promised I could when I started the online course, then the company backed out).

The A test is pretty easy. Need 98/150 to pass and there are 30 middle-school/high-school math questions to start (should easily get at least 25 out of 30 on those if you graduated from high school; I got 30/30) plus you have about 20 questions you can answer straight out of your code book. Basically means you only need to get 53/100 on the rest of the test.

B test is tougher as there's more memorization involved (though most of the refrigeration section can be lifted from your code book) and not much math. If you get good experience as you get your firing time, most of the questions should be easy to answer, though.

If you need any study materials, I have a bunch of PDFs I can send you.

[DC5-S]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with power engineering at this day and age. It's just too hard to find a job these days for people fresh out of school. Every company is looking for experienced people, and not giving anyone fresh out of school a chance. (I know many people that are having a tough time)

But if your adamant on power engineering, then i'd recommend taking the course at keyano or lac la biche as they have a co-op program. You'll be working at an oil company for a portion of your course.

[meme405]

It's just too hard to find a job these days for people fresh out of school. Every company is looking for experienced people, and not giving anyone fresh out of school a chance.

This could be said for literally anyone in any field getting a post secondary education. Employers will obviously always prefer someone with experience, but at some point a long the line they have to hire the next generation of people who will run the company or perform the work. Employers know this so they usually look for responsible, mature young people, with the right education and skill set and train them to become what they need.

Get an education in whatever interests you, if power engineering is what you want to do/become, or what you are interested in, I see no reason to switch away from that just because of a slight potential of having difficulty finding a job.

It's not like power engineering is a profession or skill that is going to die off. We will always need power engineers.

[Mining]

It does help a great amount if you are coming from a more prestigious school. Do your co-op terms and get your foot into the industry is my advice.

[Timpo]

For highest salary increases in Canada, look to the oilpatch: Mercer survey (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/highest+salary+increases+Canada+look+oilpatch+Merc er+survey/10127878/story.html)

For highest salary increases in Canada, look to the oilpatch: Mercer survey

By Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press August 18, 2014

CALGARY - For the biggest pay hikes in Canada, look no further than the oilpatch.

The energy sector continues to lead the country in both actual and projected salary increases, according to survey released Monday by global consulting firm Mercer.

The average base salary increase across the country is expected to be three per cent next year, the same as in 2014.
But in the energy sector, the pay bump is forecast at 3.7 per cent in 2015 after an actual 3.9 per cent increase this year.
Mercer has conducted its Canada Compensation Planning Survey for more than two decades, compiling responses from nearly 700 organizations across Canada.

For the past five years, the trends have been stable both at a national level and amongst different industries, Mercer's Allison Griffiths said in an interview.

"Companies just, in general, are feeling more stable and more confident about their outlooks," she said.
When the energy sector is removed from the mix, the national average projected salary increase drops to 2.9 per cent. That effect is more pronounced in energy-rich Alberta and Saskatchewan.

On the other end of the spectrum, the transportation, equipment, consumer goods and retail/wholesale industries are expected to see the smallest salary increases at around 2.6 or 2.7 per cent.

"All different factors come into play here when we're talking about salary increases. It's the economy... or who are the big companies within the region and what are they doing? Cost of living comes into it, competition for labour," said Griffiths.

"Retail in general is typically one of the industries that their profits and their margins are very tight, so they're typically very conservative with their salary increases."

While base salary is an important component in attracting and retaining talent, it's important to make sure employees understand in other ways that they're valued, she said.

"Unless you have good communication and you're really able to explain things to employees in a meaningful way, things get lost in translation and the engagement aspect of it can get diminished," she said.

"It's actually about how it's delivered and thanking your employees for their hard work and things like that."

Another important aspect is making sure employees are aware of opportunities for advancement within their organization. With the economic outlook stabilizing, companies are becoming more focused on putting so-called "career frameworks" in place.

Demographics also has a lot to do with it, said Griffiths.

"The younger generation definitely wants to know more and wants more transparency around their career potential."


http://www.vancouversun.com/business/cms/binary/10050065.jpg

[GabAlmighty]

Those rigs pigs are waaaaaaaay too clean... I can still see their skin.

[Doubl3_H]

Anyone here up at the Agrium site?
Going up there next month, need a place to stay

[DontFrontOnMe]

I think it's the workplace equality thing too. In some fields, being a woman is enough to get hired.

Well, I think we just found Timpo his "in".

[AutozamAZ-3]

Is working overtime an expectation when working on the oil sands?

[jasonturbo]

Is working overtime an expectation when working on the oil sands?

Well that depends on how you define the word "working".

If you're idea of work includes any application of thought or physical effort... No.

If you're idea of work includes sleeping in a truck, browsing Instagram on your phone, or sitting on a bucket... Yes.

Srs, everyone works 10-14 hour days between the actual "work" and travel to and from site. You will rarely ever be "exhausted" after a day or work because things tend to take place at a very slow pace.

[meme405]

Well that depends on how you define the word "working".

If you're idea of work includes any application of thought or physical effort... No.

If you're idea of work includes sleeping in a truck, browsing Instagram on your phone, or sitting on a bucket... Yes.

Srs, everyone works 10-14 hour days between the actual "work" and travel to and from site. You will rarely ever be "exhausted" after a day or work because things tend to take place at a very slow pace.

Lol.

When I first started working in the sands and up north, I was on a 3 & 1, 12 hour days.

My boss always used to tell me out of those 12 hours he expects 7 hours of honest effort.

:concentrate:

[Purely]

Does anyone know or have experience with the Co-op Accounting/Finance jobs with the major oil and gas companies in Calgary?

[GabAlmighty]

Is working overtime an expectation when working on the oil sands?

If you want to make any money, then yes.

[1990TSI]

The only thing I can add to this now that I've made it to alberta, is don't just look at the oil fields for huge money, chances are you can do a very similar job to what you're doing now but make a rediculous wage.

As an example, I worked in a ford dealer in the lower mainland, and wasn't happy with BC wages, so I applied at 9 dealers in alberta. I got 6 replies the next morning. the one I picked offers 4on/off or 21on/off in a modern shop. they paid to move me up here, and I get my share of the alberta oil money while staying inside a heated shop.

There is a ton of money to be had in this province and you don't have to work outside in -40 doing manual labor.

I also have to add that fort mcmurry isn't the only place up here with money, and kijiji is your friend for alberta.

[Hondaracer]

Jobs seemingly slowing down up there in a bunch of places. 4/5 of my buddies got laid off

[Teriyaki]

Jobs seemingly slowing down up there in a bunch of places. 4/5 of my buddies got laid off

When oil prices are depressed like they are currently, must be some knee-jerk reactions to keep the profitablity up.

[cdizzle_996]

A few of my buddies up in Cold Lake got laid off ass well. However when you make 110 in 8 months it ain't so bad

[Mining]

The company I work for is currently on a hiring freeze. We are producing too much when the demand isn't as high as we are currently supplying. Cost of mining projects and operations are too high at the moment as well. But this is normal, mining is always up and down and repeat due to supply and demand and we only operate to commodity prices. If it isn't feasible or profitable enough to continue, why should we?

[jasonturbo]

The company I work for is currently on a hiring freeze. We are producing too much when the demand isn't as high as we are currently supplying. Cost of mining projects and operations are too high at the moment as well. But this is normal, mining is always up and down and repeat due to supply and demand and we only operate to commodity prices. If it isn't feasible or profitable enough to continue, why should we?

Is the company you work for contractor/owner? What are they mining for?

It has slowed down considerably in the Oil Sands;

Recently Completed Projects:
- Imperial Oil Kearl (initial development and expansion 1)
- Husky Sunrise

Delayed/Cancelled Projects:
- Suncor Voyageur
- Statoilhydro Corner
- Total Joslyn

Active Mega Projects:
- Suncor Ft. Hills (Suncor is in no rush to complete this work)
- Conoco Phillips Surmont 2 (Winding down though)
- Imperial Oil Kearl Expansion 2 (Barely worth calling a mega project)

Active Significant Projects:
- CNRL Kirby
- CNRL Horizon Expansion
- Suncor TRO
- Shell RC1

It’s worth noting the recently completed Newfoundland Long Harbour project as it kept a significant portion of the usual Ft Mac working population busy at home. Now that it’s over, they are rushing back to Alberta.

Both TransCanada and Enbridge have massive capex planned for 2016 and beyond, neither of which seem to have a significant amount of work planned before that time.

I’ve been getting a lot of resumes the last few months, one of our staffing firms has also told me they are being inundated with resumes, so to me this indicates it is indeed slow.

I like the labor market being the way it is, I can limit my hiring to include only those who reside in Western Canada and are non-smokers.

[noclue]

what's the situation like in grande prairie?

[GabAlmighty]

what's the situation like in grande prairie?

Don't bring your wife. They all become single when you're at work.

[dotdot]

Its hard work and really dangerous

[1990TSI]

what's the situation like in grande prairie?

I haven't noticed a change cuz I've only been here a week lol, but I talked to a few pipeliners and welders who said we aren't as affected as other areas.

seems busy though

[meme405]

I haven't noticed a change cuz I've only been here a week lol

:suspicious:

lol

[GabAlmighty]

It's starting to get cold, once everything freezes work will pick up again.

Our company wouldn't be doubling their fleet if the work was truly slowing down.

[originalozzyo]

I just came back from a 9 month stint at kearl expansion project. If you can handle all the bullshit of a mega project and the cold then it's not too bad. The company I worked for was PCL (people come last) and they are the worst company I have ever worked for. No joke. They preach all this safety and then ask you to pull all this cable in impossible places saying its safe to climb onto aluminum ladder tray 40' up lying on plywood tray sliders and wearing a harness. The tray specifically states not for people to climb on. We've worked outside in -50 before they called us in. They waited until the last possible minute to maximize production. At safety meetings if you raised any concerns or started becoming a common person who had safety issues they put a bullseye on you. Goes on and on on. I made $5k per two week rotation and as a Forman I was making $6k per rotation. You get 7 days off of which 2 are spent traveling home or to work. Then there's the people you work with, most guys are pretty good but every so often a real winner comes along. If you can tough it out for a year you'll make $130-150k total before taxes. It's not too bad, you get into a routine and after you make some friends it gets bearable

[Carl Johnson]

I just came back from a 9 month stint at kearl expansion project. If you can handle all the bullshit of a mega project and the cold then it's not too bad. The company I worked for was PCL (people come last) and they are the worst company I have ever worked for. No joke. They preach all this safety and then ask you to pull all this cable in impossible places saying its safe to climb onto aluminum ladder tray 40' up lying on plywood tray sliders and wearing a harness. The tray specifically states not for people to climb on. We've worked outside in -50 before they called us in. They waited until the last possible minute to maximize production. At safety meetings if you raised any concerns or started becoming a common person who had safety issues they put a bullseye on you. Goes on and on on. I made $5k per two week rotation and as a Forman I was making $6k per rotation. You get 7 days off of which 2 are spent traveling home or to work. Then there's the people you work with, most guys are pretty good but every so often a real winner comes along. If you can tough it out for a year you'll make $130-150k total before taxes. It's not too bad, you get into a routine and after you make some friends it gets bearable

War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength
Danger is safety

[DC5-S]

I just came back from a 9 month stint at kearl expansion project. If you can handle all the bullshit of a mega project and the cold then it's not too bad. The company I worked for was PCL (people come last) and they are the worst company I have ever worked for. No joke. They preach all this safety and then ask you to pull all this cable in impossible places saying its safe to climb onto aluminum ladder tray 40' up lying on plywood tray sliders and wearing a harness. The tray specifically states not for people to climb on. We've worked outside in -50 before they called us in. They waited until the last possible minute to maximize production. At safety meetings if you raised any concerns or started becoming a common person who had safety issues they put a bullseye on you. Goes on and on on. I made $5k per two week rotation and as a Forman I was making $6k per rotation. You get 7 days off of which 2 are spent traveling home or to work. Then there's the people you work with, most guys are pretty good but every so often a real winner comes along. If you can tough it out for a year you'll make $130-150k total before taxes. It's not too bad, you get into a routine and after you make some friends it gets bearable

And this is why you should go into a trade. Making the same amount with half as much work (one week rotation).. Not to mention most likely end up working for better company as well. (If you're a contractor)

[jasonturbo]

And this is why you should go into a trade. Making the same amount with half as much work (one week rotation).. Not to mention most likely end up working for better company as well. (If you're a contractor)

Between what was written in his post and the fact that he was working for a union contractor, it would be reasonable to assume he is an electrician, possibly j-man as he was foreman.

[jasonturbo]

Most tradespeople do not net anything close to 5000$ for 70-82 hour weeks in the Mac.

I would say PCL is one of the better contractors to work for out there... Ledcor second and Kiewitt a very distant third.

Edit: Damn RS mobile.

[unkicrackie]

Any of you in sheet metal? Looking really slow this time of the year compared to last, the union site is also looking really empty. There will be job postings that only last a day at max...

[DC5-S]

Most tradespeople do not net anything close to 5000$ for 70-82 hour weeks in the Mac.

I would say PCL is one of the better contractors to work for out there... Ledcor second and Kiewitt a very distant third.

Edit: Damn RS mobile.

Seems like he is working 2 on / 1 off. Are you C&SU? Anyways, all I can say even the worst jobs in AB (safety wise) don't compare to anything in BC. Ive never seen a proper lock out or any safety procedures followed (working over a certain height with harness) etc. Then they wonder why ppl fall off ladders and split their head open, like at Sofina foods downtown.

[GabAlmighty]

Most tradespeople do not net anything close to 5000$ for 70-82 hour weeks in the Mac.

I would say PCL is one of the better contractors to work for out there... Ledcor second and Kiewitt a very distant third.

Edit: Damn RS mobile.

But one must remember that there are much more than "trade" jobs in the patch.

[jasonturbo]

But one must remember that there are much more than "trade" jobs in the patch.

Very true, usually the good/smart tradespeople don't stay on the tools very long :s

I can say the people I have worked with are very safety minded and certainly understand proper lockout/tagout. I'm not a very safety orientated person myself, I basically just assume everyone around me is a fucking idiot trying to kill me and that approach has worked really well for me. #stillalive

If the C&SU question was directed at me, no I am not.

[multicartual]

Damn it sounds like real work to make money up north!

[sdubfid]

Anyone know if the bottle depot is hiring in Fort mac?

[originalozzyo]

I was a union electrician up there. You don't really do a lot of work on site, usually the first hour or two is spent on daily safety talk and sheet fill out. Walk down of tray routing and access and egress for workers and also actually finding the damn reels lol. Some days we literally did almost nothing because out general foreman couldn't give us proper pull packages that were complete. Some days were pretty good when I could get ahead of the guys and get a whole bunch of pulls setup for the next day or two. Keeps the boys happy to not be standing around.

[MindBomber]

I have a friend who recently came back to town after 7 years on the rigs.

he's saved around a hundred thou and is ready to find someone and settle down, but he built zero transferable skills so he's working as a landscaper earning $14/hour. i think there's a lesson to be learned there. he could have apprenticed in a trade and become an experienced journeyman up there, which would have him earning $25/hour at the minimum here.

[Hondaracer]

Lol 7 years for 100,000?? Did he put it all up his nose?

A buddy of mine working at apprentice pipe fitter saved up 55k over 13 months and another has about 80 working 2 years and both are terrible with their money

I do agree completely about the transferable skills though

[Jmac]

$100k over 7 years is pretty bad for the Mac.

I'm making nowhere close to Mac money and am banking about $1000-$1500/month.

[MindBomber]

no doubt, it's terrible, though it's not all that rare for even high income earners to save very little, especially if they're young. his lack of savings really supports the point i was getting at though - he gave seven years to the idea of getting ahead but didn't achieve a whole lot because he had no long-term plan. he never gave a thought to where he'd be after 5-10-15 years. there's a valuable lesson to be learned there for any young guys reading this thread.

[noclue]

+1 what mindbomber said, it's not just for oil field workers I've seen even accountants go way in over their heads in finance/long term savings.

Granted however, in the oil field the temptations for instant gratification (booze,girls,F350) is much stronger.

Anyone would like to share their prediction what happens if oil prices stick at $75-$80 for a while? Would work slowdown considerably?

[sdubfid]

I would imagine there would be less hse people required to tell you that Ice is slippery and steam is hot

[jasonturbo]

Granted however, in the oil field the temptations for instant gratification (booze,girls,F350) is much stronger.

Hmmm... not sure I agree with you, I've never felt any sort of temptation before....

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/jasonturbo/photo-5.jpg

Mind you... I don't actually work in the oilsands.

Anyone would like to share their prediction what happens if oil prices stick at $75-$80 for a while? Would work slowdown considerably?

Noting serious, expect some long term stability around that range. OPEC's recent move to drop the price of oil doesn't impact the oil sands as much as it impacts many of the shale oil producers in the US, this is a strong arm tactic to hurt the shale guys. Don't expect companies in Alberta to shut the taps on current major projects until we hit the high 50's IMO.

OPEC Says Shale Drillers First Affected by Oil-Price Drop - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-29/opec-says-shale-drillers-first-affected-by-oil-price-drop.html)

Re: Mindbomber, couldn't have said it any better myself. Lots of people are lured to the oilsands for a quick buck, but the 7 years you might spend labouring come with a cost that is difficult to quantify in terms of limiting your progress/development etc. Even if you pursue a trade ticket, don't stop at one, get another ticket, go back to school eventually for a two year technical diploma, maybe later you can transfer into an actually Uni program etc.

[GabAlmighty]

That's why I already have my degree/trade what i'll be going back to at some point. You have to go up there with a goal and stick to that goal. Unless that is if you wanna stick it out here and make a career out of it which is very easy to do. Buddy who worked rigs for 7 years, if he busted his ass should've moved up off the rig floor or at least been a driller by the time he was done. Hell my friend is a motorman and thinking of applying to be a directional driller pretty quick ($1000+ a day). It's all about being smart and looking to the future.

Right now i'm putting away roughly 60% of my pay into the bank and I still live a pretty decent life, have more disposable income than my friends, and drive a Raptor haha.

The amount of losers up here that are stuck in a rut is very shocking. I would say 1\3 people are paying upwards of 3k a month in alimony/child support to ex spouses and the rest of they money goes up their nose, into the truck, the strippers, etc. It's half the reason I still live in Van and fly in and out, I don't wanna be around that shit. Not because I can't control myself but because I couldn't give a fuck for it haha.

[Carl Johnson]

Series Preview: The Global Drop in Oil Prices - YouTube

7:50 for Canada, but the whole video is informative on the economics and politics of oil.

[geeknerd]

So what would be the course of advice for someone who has 0 experience and knowledge.

i dont have trouble staying home all week being entertained by the internet.

Is 5 years, 500k saved up an unrealistic goal?

[Hondaracer]

5 years being amazingly stingy and saving every penmy I'd say 300,000 would be a tough goal but possible depending on situation from what i know of the circumstances

[heleu]

All this oil sands talk makes me wish I went to Fort Mac or somewhere else when I was younger.

My friend worked for Schlumerberger and he said the oil rig engineers made about $250K/year. He worked in some compound that was north of Fort Mac and he eventually got sick of it after 2 years. Similar to what has been stated, he didn't gain any transferable skills (even as an engineer), so he had to start all over when he start working in the lower mainland. I think he saved up some good money though.

...to be young again.

[jasonturbo]

Series Preview: The Global Drop in Oil Prices - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp1kdMHCCJI&list=UUZNjpcQLBx26W6lDWvpg7PQ)

7:50 for Canada, but the whole video is informative on the economics and politics of oil.

Hmmm not sure that was very informative regarding Canada... the simple version is this, so long as we are only really exporting to the USA we are tied to WTI prices, once we open up a means of exporting to other countries we are tied to the Brent standard. (Brent pricing accounts for roughly 2/3 of all transactions, WTI is maybe 10%.) Effectively increasing the value of our resource overnight.. though it won't do much to increase what our counterparts to the south are willing to pay.

From wiki;

Historically price differences between Brent and other index crudes have been based on physical differences in crude oil specifications and short-term variations in supply and demand. Prior to September 2010, there existed a typical price difference per barrel of between ±3 USD/bbl compared to WTI and OPEC Basket; however, since the autumn of 2010 Brent has been priced much higher than WTI, reaching a difference of more than $11 a barrel by the end of February 2011 (WTI: 104 USD/bbl, LCO: 116 USD/bbl). In February 2011 the divergence reached $16 during a supply glut, record stockpiles, at Cushing, Oklahoma before peaking at above $23 in August 2012. It has since (September 2012) decreased significantly to around $18 after refinery maintenance settled down and supply issues eased slightly.

Many reasons have been given for this widening divergence ranging from a speculative change away from WTI trading (although not supported by trading volumes), Dollar currency movements, regional demand variations, and even politics. The depletion of the North Sea oil fields is one explanation for the divergence in forward prices.

The US Energy Information Administration attributes the price spread between WTI and Brent to an oversupply of crude oil in the interior of North America (WTI price is set at Cushing, Oklahoma) caused by rapidly increasing oil production from Canadian oil sands and tight oil formations such as the Bakken Formation, Niobrara Formation, and Eagle Ford Formation. Oil production in the interior of North America has exceeded the capacity of pipelines to carry it to markets on the Gulf Coast and east coast of North America; as a result, the oil price on the US and Canadian east coast and parts of the US Gulf Coast since 2011 has been set by the price of Brent Crude, while markets in the interior still follow the WTI price. Much US and Canadian crude oil from the interior is now shipped to the coast by railroad, which is much more expensive than pipeline.[7]

I also have to LOL at the Trudeau comment, the libs have zero chance of beating the conservatives, the best they can hope for is a conservative minority government. The only way the conservatives will find themselves on the outside looking in is if the NDP and Libs somehow merge. All the liberal voters in Canada voting for one party might oust the conservatives, but not when they are voting for two different parties.

Anyway, I'm obviously pro pipeline, and I do believe we should open up an export route to Asia using the Northern Gateway... but... I do understand the concerns associated with the massive bump in coastal tanker traffic and I believe the concerns are valid. The stakeholders for that pipeline really need to find some way to ensure that shipping channel is safe, easily navigated, and that extensive consideration be given to a quick and effective incident response plan.

It's not the pipelines that are a problem, they are safe, and certainly much safer than shipping by train (supported by statistics)... the tankers are the concern IMO.

[TjAlmeida]

Everyone who wants a job in Fort Mac.

Short, multi step plan.

1. Make small sign. Reading - Hard working, drug free, looking for work. Wear around neck
2. Go to local Fort Mac bar
3. Be friendly, understand you will probably do hard bitch work. Talk to everyone

GO!







seriously though, just go. Stop in Edmonton, apply at oil rig companies.

Everyone I talk to always asks me 'man get me a job'. So many people don't understand, give yourself one week. 3 days in Edmonton and 3 in Fort Mac and apply everywhere. Go in person to apply. I bet 75% of people if they were to do this would get a job.

Giving up myself 25% leeway for the people who go with attitude and just look like useless fucks.

[meme405]

Lol 100k in 7 years.

Your friend is a tool. Classic case of somebody who was better off working down here for minimum wage till he learned the value of money.

I blew 2 paycheques before learning to save first and spend 2nd. Not bragging, but even a remote level of fiscal responsibility and foresight would allow someone with even a minute level of intelligence to save quadruple your buddy in 7 years.

5 years being amazingly stingy and saving every penmy I'd say 300,000 would be a tough goal but possible depending on situation from what i know of the circumstances

Maybe if you start out as just a laborer at 18 then this might be true, even then if you are even slightly above average and slightly responsible saving 300k isn't a hard deal.

Think about it after 5 years up north if you aren't a foreman or certified tradesperson you should just quit, because you are wasting your time...

[GabAlmighty]

I know I'm splitting hairs with what you're saying but^^^^^ not all money is in being a certified tradesperson/foreman. Although, I assume with foreman you're including all supervisor/tool push positions?

Even then there's consultants, directional hands, tool hands, rig managers, etc. that will make close to 300k/year. Then there's starting your own company. My supervisors buddy put a ridiculously small sum of money down and got close to 1mil business loan to buy a couple fluid bulkers. Stupid money if you own your own trucks.

Disregard if you're talking about higher salary than that.

[Gucci Mane]

I know I'm splitting hairs with what you're saying but^^^^^ not all money is in being a certified tradesperson/foreman. Although, I assume with foreman you're including all supervisor/tool push positions?


the main point they're trying to make is that having a trade gives you a transferable skill that you can bring back home and continue making decent money instead of having to finding some shitty warehouse job just to pay the bills.

[meme405]

I know I'm splitting hairs with what you're saying but^^^^^ not all money is in being a certified tradesperson/foreman. Although, I assume with foreman you're including all supervisor/tool push positions?

Even then there's consultants, directional hands, tool hands, rig managers, etc. that will make close to 300k/year. Then there's starting your own company. My supervisors buddy put a ridiculously small sum of money down and got close to 1mil business loan to buy a couple fluid bulkers. Stupid money if you own your own trucks.

Disregard if you're talking about higher salary than that.

My point was more along the lines Knight made.

I just mean that if you are willing to put the time and energy into spending 5 years in the mac, or anywhere for that matter, if you are just starting out the money comes secondary to the experience you gain.

As a younger person on sites, you can move up and gain EXTREMELY valuable experience very quickly, you just have to apply yourself, and stay motivated, and hardworking.

Sure making 300k a year is nice, what's nicer is being able to move anywhere in the world and apply your knowledge, irrelevant of whether that be engineering, design, pipe-fitting, welding, etc.

I see too many people with the mentality of "I'm gonna go to the mac for 2 years as a laborer, to get ahead on my bills, then come and settle down". If those are your plans, then you are probably better off just staying in town, and working at a job you intend to keep and move up the ranks in.

I am very pro for the oldschool idea of building a career in an industry. It just so happens the industry I chose was industrial construction. I don't see the point of people trying to switch into a new industry for a couple years just to make a few bucks. Sure it might be temporarily easy money, but after you factor the fact that you just set your own life and real career path backwards by two years, you were probably better off not bothering.

[noclue]

So I hear horizon drilling stopped work in december which is unusual...
Thoughts?

[TurboFC3S]

hoping it picks up next year for alberta. Was so slow this year in BC and id love to travel card up in alberta for half the year. Im an Boilermaker apprentice. Tough being one in BC on the apprentice (Starvation) Board lol.

[multicartual]

The amount of losers up here that are stuck in a rut is very shocking. I would say 1\3 people are paying upwards of 3k a month in alimony/child support to ex spouses and the rest of they money goes up their nose, into the truck, the strippers, etc.



LIVING THE DREAM

[jasonturbo]

So I hear horizon drilling stopped work in december which is unusual...
Thoughts?

Not all that unusual, depending on the ground conditions of the drill site and access roads it's often a more intelligent approach to wait until the ground has frozen before starting work. As a rule of thumb, in Northern Alberta, if you can't pack frost, you are waiting until at least mid-January before the ground in most areas is pretty stable.

Obviously this depends on the soil type, in some areas the muskeg never really freezes at all.