Job Opportunities in Western Canada

Headcount has recently set up a new company, Headcount Solutions Canada Ltd. based in Calgary in Alberta, Canada. This new company is a joint venture between Headcount Solutions Ltd. of Ireland and CBM Projects Inc. of Calgary. CBM Projects specializes in commissioning, start-up and plant operations within the oil and gas sector in Alberta.

The Albertan economy is backed by world scale natural resources, the principle being its oil sand deposits. These unproven oil reserves are larger than those of Saudi Arabia, and in addition they’re harder and more costly to extract. However, on foot of the rising price of oil, the Albertan economy has been booming for the past few years in a way that would almost put the Celtic Tiger to shame. And this is set to continue for the foreseeable future, as oil reserves diminish globally and North America seeks to reduce its dependency on reserves in risky overseas locations.

Alberta is very short on manpower to drive this boom forwards, particularly engineering and technical people for the oil sands investments. But the labour shortages stretch across all aspects of the economy meaning that there is huge demand for engineering and technical people in the commercial and municipal sectors also. Engineers, technicians and craftsmen of all disciplines are needed for design, construction and plant operations roles.

Salaries and rates of pay have now surpassed Irish rates once again such that those living there have higher disposable incomes and higher standards of living than in Ireland or the UK.

Western Canada offers a great lifestyle. The big cities, Calgary and Edmonton, have great infrastructure meaning no traffic jams and short commuting times; cheap housing – relative to here - and good schools; good restaurants and bars for leisure time; wonderful outdoor amenities and sporting facilities; great skiing and snow sports in the winter; and wonderful trekking, camping and water sports in the warm summers.

The Canadian Government is actively seeking qualified foreign workers to come to live and work, typically under two year work permits. Stays can subsequently be extended either temporarily or permanently. But acceptance is not easy unless candidates have clean and verifiable qualifications – trade cert, technician diploma or degree – and verifiable experience records. The qualification process is rigorous. But for those who check out – and you’ll know yourself if you do - permits can be processed in less than eight weeks from time of job offer.

Headcount has a long list of job opportunities with clients, typically engineering design contractors or construction contractors. Successful candidates are most likely to be employed and paid directly by these client companies.