Rec. on similar instutions as SAIT for pre employment courses

[JamesRR]

Hi all,

I am looking for institutions with similar credibility and reputation to SAIT offering pre employment courses in a skilled labour trade.

Please recommend me sources or sites for info.

Your help is greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.

[JamesRR]

Lets bring it to the top.

[mastercool]

why not just go to SAIT/NAIT for pre-employment in the first place?

Ontario pre-employment is a cash grab/gigantic waste of time. If you don't have connections, your not finding an apprenticeship period.

[JamesRR]

Why do you say that MasterCool?

ATM, Im looking for credible options. Intake for SAIT commences in September so would like to make a very educated decision about where I go.

Thanks for your response.

[mastercool]

Mention any "pre-employment" course in the trades to any journeyman and they will laugh at you and tell you it's a waste of time.

The best way into any trade is to start out as a helper and work your way up. Taking college courses to get in is just jokes.

[JamesRR]

Yeah I read that too but my situation is different since Im a new migrant.

My past experience has been white collar but with many transferable skills.

Im here on a Working Holiday Visa which lasts two years, however, should I want to enrole on a course greater than 6 months, I need to apply for a Student Visa.

Being 28 I just about have age on my side to start over, and being from UK, having arrived in CA 3 weeks ago, it would be a waste not to put all my chips in for this opportunity, Ive come this far, why stop at the door step when I can eat in the kitchen.

Thats my position, and Im going for it. ATM, Im applying for low level general labor in environments such as construction, automobile/transport mechanics and ironworks.

Starting at the bottom, but good in some respect as for me, the only way is up.

However, one of the main reasons why I want to do a course is to heighten the glass ceiling over my head, in respect of how much I could earn. But this is of course just one of many criteria which increases my value in the industry.

Apologies for the long post. Just ready to rock and roll really.

[JamesRR]

Okay, a bump on this for some more help if possible.

Ive decided to go all in and head to Calgary in September/October (Ive only just arrived in Canada so would like to enjoy myself a little before blitzing the next few years in work!).

From now till then, I want to get the baseline certificates and get some labour experience in a construction or heavy machinery industry but understandably, will most likely get a helper type role.

Upon further reading, from other forums and experiences of people who have made a similar journey, the basic criteria of arming myself with basic knowledge will be acquired from earning the following academic qualifications:

WHMIS
H2S Alive
First Aid
Small hand tools certification

Aside from that, most information give is that formal education will be provided by an employer (of course, thats after you prove your worth investing in).

If anyone can help me arm myself with more basic qualifications, and which I can earn within the space of the next 3 to 4 months, Id be grateful for your time and input.

In fact, if you are in a position to hire/fire of new entrants within the construction/oil/heavy machinery industry and are local to Mississauga or Toronto, I am willing to pay for some consultancy time with you. Feel free to PM and I can meet with you according to your availability.

Its the best step for me and just make myself more attractive to the employer, make it easier for me to enter the industry and to mention again, heighten the glass ceiling for pay.

Thanks in advance and really hope someone gets back to me.

Otherwise, if you can point me in the right direction, an alternative forum or website, again, feel free to contact me.

James.

[JamesRR]

up we go.

Also found that SAIT, NAIT and BCIT are some of the Polytechs in CA, all of which are recommended institutions.

Anyone still know about other basic general certs?