Need some advice

[Leftisim]

Hello all

I am looking in to the idea of Immigration to canada.  I live in the uk and have been A storeman/Forklift truck driver for the last 15 years

is there a demand for this job in canada?  if not what jobs are in demand as its never to late to learn and improve?

thanks

Dave

[Leon]

Go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/apply-who.asp and check especially the Alberta and BC programs for their semi-skilled options.  I know they both have long haul truck drivers and I think one has short haul also and it's possible they need storemen, receivers and forklift drivers as well, not sure about that.

If you find something on their lists that you have experience in, you need to find such a job in said province, an employer who is willing to apply for a work permit for you and when you get there, you and your employer can apply to this provincial program to get you permanent resident status. 

Just beware that if you take a job in a province where that particular job is not listed under the provincial nominee program, you may not be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

[Leftisim]

So in a nutshell my skill's are not up to scratch?.  What kind of cash will i have to have behind me to help me along on my journey.

I have also seen the demand for electricians, carpenters, engineers, construction workers is this true as i am willing to gain new skill's to make my deam come true

[Leon]

It is doable, just a bit harder.  I checked the NOC listing now at http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/generic/welcome.shtml and it comes back as

7452 Material Handlers
   operator, forklift truck
   operator, forklift
   forklift truck operator
   forklift operator

Or

1472   Storekeepers and Parts Clerks
   ship storeman/woman
   storeman/woman
   tool room storeman/woman

The way this NOC code for jobs works is that the 2nd digit of the 4 digit number tells you the skill level.  Skilled positions would have 0, 1 or 2 as the 2nd digit and your jobs have a 4 which is not classified as skilled.  Possibly semi-skilled.  AB and BC have some semi-skilled jobs in their provincial nominee programs but not these two so you are out of luck with that. 

On the other hand, Alberta PNP has listed as seen at http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/media/IA-PNP_eligible_manufacturing_occs.pdf NOC code 1474, purchasing and inventory clerks.  Could you to that?  Or something else on that list?  Doing an apprenticeship to become an electrician or carpenter just so you can immigrate to Canada is absolutely doable but it seems like the long way around for you.

That said, if you did classify as a skilled worker, you would have more immigration options.

And of course like I said before, just because Alberta lists 1474 and other professions in their PNP doesn't mean that other provinces do,  so if you get a job under NOC code 1474 but not in Alberta, you would classify as low skilled and have to go home after 2 years.  In Alberta you would have the right to apply for permanent residency.  You can read other requirements at http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/manufacturing.html

When you are coming on a work permit, you normally don't have to have a lot of cash.  Just to survive until you get paid and a ticket home.  When you are a low skilled, they even make the employer responsible for taking care of you.