Structural Engineering in Canada 3

[DimzK]

Hi All,

I am an intermediate level Structural/Bridge Engineer with one year experience in designing building structures (in New Zealand using NZ code) and 1.5 years experience in designing bridges using BS5400 (British Standard) code in Asia. I am planning to move to Canada and work as a designer there.

Could you please recommend me any major text book that detail Reinforced Concrete Design and Steel Design in Canada that is sort of used as a guide in Canada?
I would like to familiarize my self on the local codes and design practice before I arrive in Canada.

Regards,
Dimuth

 

[Signious]

If you don't mind me asking, how hard was it to get into the country without a job already lined up?
It strikes me weird that they would let someone enter on a working visa without any current employment - If you are trying to work a technical job on a tourist visa you are going to have issues. Firms aren't going to want to skirt the rules.

Don't fret about not finding a gig in your first 2 weeks - going a month between application and interview and then another month between interview and hire isn't unheard of here; but I have seen the process move quicker.

If you haven't already start getting into PEO, as a foreigner you are going to have to jump through hoops to get registered.

 

[DimzK]

@Signious , yes it is a perfectly legal 2 year exchange visa (which allows employment in Canada) that was issued by the Canadian government. These visas are reciprocal between countries, meaning Canadians can come to my country with out a job and looking for work as well. My visa was not hard to get, I just had to pay loads of fees, do medical tests and submit police reports and pay for my own private health insurance and be under 35 years of age.

I have been to couple of work shops where I met a lot of foreign engineers and I think majority of the people come to Canada without a job offer. Only the Star candidates and executive level guys would be getting job offers if they are not even in the country. There is a point system where if you get the right score, the goverenment will give you permanent residency and invite you to move to Canada.

I have already registered with PEO and they are checking my academic qualifications. I am pretty much guaranteed EIT. With a certain period of work experience locally in Canada, I think I am eligible for P.Eng

As you say, yeh it can take some time. I understand, I will be patient with the process. Cheers.