I am interested to hear what the job situation is for experienced foresters in Canada. I have several years of experience from scandinavian forestry. My current job is great but it would still be interesting to try something new. Any input would be appriciated!

This is second hand info, but I'm sure others will chime in. The job situation on the forest industry has not been too good for a number of years, due to the still unresolved dispute with the US over lumber import duties. The import levies cause CDN lumber to be less competitive with US lumber, leading to a reduced market, reduced throughput, reduced number of jobs.

In order for you to work in CDN, you would either have to go through the immigration process and become a landed immigrant, or find an employer who is willing to get you a work permit. To get one, they will have to 'prove' that suitable employees could not be found locally, which might be tough. You also would have to check if you credentials (education) would be acknowledged in Canada. Certain professions have their own standards and won't recognize yours.

Frans (hey, that was my 1000th post!!)

While what Frans says about a reduction in the overall size of the forest industry is true, the converse is actually true relative to the availability of work for trained foresters. There is currently a reasonable demand for skilled professional foresters, that is expected to increase significantly over the next few years due to two main factors....1) baby boomers in mid to upper management retiring, and 2) enrolment in forestry programs at an all-time low. Recruitment and succession planning is quickly become on of the industries major challenges.

Despite what the "doom and gloom" crowd like to say about the forest industry in Canada, this is not a sunset industry. We are VERY competitive in many aspects of our business. Profitability is very low due to the failing US dollar, softwood lumber duties and soft market pulp prices, but all these are all either short term or manageable in the long term.

I don't know anything about the immigration process, but Frans has "been there and done it" so I am sure he is 100% on that.

PM or e-mail me if you'd like some contact numbers / e-mails for additional info.

Cheers,
Canuck

Yep, I looked at taking some forestry technologies courses, long distance learning, about four years ago, but decided against it. Good to hear there are still jobs for experienced people...

About the immigration, etc., though I'm trying to forget it, it is still fresh in my memory. I can give some pointers if you need some.

Frans

We are currently hiring foreign geologists to work in Canada.

Those who have professional accreditation that is recognized by an equivalent professional association in Canada (in our case, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC), the permit is practically over the counter.

Those who do not have such recognized accreditation, the process is going to be fairly onerous, even using an immigration lawyer and having completed the market research and advertised within Canada.

I would assume the situation would be fairly similar for forestry professionals.

quote:

Originally posted by JKKP:
Frans, I assume you found the work permit/immigation process difficult??

Labour intensive is more like it. Of course there are some things you have to figure out, but there are a few online discussion groups on immigration where a few immigration lawyers answer quite a few questions, hoping to snare some clients. You can benefit from that.

Because I refused to pay a lawyer/consultant, I had to figure out all the details myself and that was frustrating at times. But it can be done, even without help. If you WANT it, it is just another hurdle. Keep you eye on the prize! Be a terrier! Just bite into it, and never let go. It's all worth it! Your hunting opportunities in Sweden were maybe much better than mine in the Netherlands, but still, what awaits you here is unparalleled. And BC is even better in that respect than Alberta! Unfortunately, I have a big-city job, so I need to stick close to people/industry. I didn't see myself living near Vancouver, so I chose to be near Calgary. Pretty good compromise!!

All that said, the immigration point system at that time allowed me entrance based on my skills. I did not have a job when I got here. The first year was rough and costly, trying to set up a business in a strange country. I refused to work as a burger flipper so I worked at expanding my contact base and finding clients, while watching my savings evaporate. When I finally turned it around all the money had all but vanished.

Of course a former colleague of mine, who works in soil pollution remediation and environmental impact assessment (a different field than I work in), came for a visit, landed an $80,000 job at a consulting company right away, and is doing great from day 1. Did I mention I don't like him much?

I repeat, it is all about want. If you really WANT it, you can make it happen.

Frans

Hello;
In Alberta at least, a lot of the private industry Forestry jobs are done under contract, rather than by direct employment. My neighbor is the Head Forester for the local rape and Pillage company. Last time I drove by it was Weyerhauser but they may have changed names again. Send me an E-mail and I'll try top put you in touch with him. he really is not a bad guy and would probably be willing to lead you in the right direction.
Grizz