I’ve been hearing allot around the job site about so many available jobs for carpenters around the world.
Currently I’m a Canadian 3rd year apprentice working towards my journey persons ticket. One major advantage I have over other tradesmen is that I am single with no children no mortgage and minimal responsibilities enabling me to travel and participate in international work.
My one major disadvantage is my lack of knowledge of these jobs. What I do know is that I want to find these jobs and further my carpentry experience. Ive heard of work in Bermuda, parts of the Caribbean, and even Australia. I do realize that working in a vacation area will be far from a vacation and certain precautions will need to be made, I.E vaccines, accommodation, medical insurance.
If there is anyone who reads this that has anymore information or more specifically has worked internationally, I would love to hear from you either by a reply by the thread or by direct email. [email protected]
Edited 7/22/2009 1:01 pm ET by Joeguy
Edited 7/22/2009 1:01 pm ET by Joeguy
Edited 7/22/2009 1:02 pm ET by Joeguy
Replies
I have never worked out of the country but my dad worked all over the place as a diver for contractors to the oil companies.
I think the hard part is finding a job, the good jobs will provide insurance and at least some leads on where to stay etc. you will need to have your passport and vaccination records like you would for any travel.
If you look online at job boards that have postings for international employment that may help, one I know of is http://www.roadtechs.com and I am sure there are others.
One of the things you may want to look into to get a foot in the door is as a scaffold builder. That work is usually done by carpenters and laborers, and is often required on jobs where there is little or no other carpentry in the build, like powerhouses and refineries and large all steel ships.
We had a guy here a few months back looking for to build up crews to work on remodeling cruise ships - while at sea. I believe he got a few.
Anyone know what happened to him?
Ice berg...glug, glug . glug.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
View Image
I considered going on one of those gigs but didn't. Talked to a guy from BT who did. Sounded fun, hard, interesting, and the money was reasonable.
Yea man, tons of fun. The Alaska gig was even better than the Carib. Those jobs are on hold for now due to the economy I hear.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
I did some remote canadian work,, got a crew together to do 30,000 sq ft of steel roof,, we got flown in,, fed, paid well, and flown back. But we worked 7 days a week, twelve hour days,, three weeks at a time. I'd do it again,, (and hope to!)
I think it worked out to 30 grand for six weeks work. HOWEVER,, I was sick with parasites, and pretty much took me a month to get over. What a ride tho,, big jet to winnipeg, and little plane to the site. Fun fun fun. The crew is very tight after that experience!
Good luck,, I'd love to hear of fun work in warm climes!
d
That still only computes to 60 bucks an hour, I can stay home and make that, in less than 12 hour days, and be in my own bed at night.
But hey, the scenery musta been worth it.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt
View Image
And all the kids (some as young as eight) running around huffing gasoline. Priceless!
I don't think it's all that unusual for trades people to move to other countries. Building sort of has its own language, and so does a pleasant disposition and good work ethic.
I know a carpenter who went to St Thomas, Vigin Islands right after a big hurricane in the mid 90s who came back to Western Washington a few months later, packed up the baby, grabbed the old lady, sold the house and has been down there making good money ever since.
Another friend of mine worked in Japan and Korea off and on for a few years as a carpenter. He worked with Asian crews who spoke very little english and he speaks only english.
One of the young guys who works with me is over in China right now building and doing missionary work. This is his second trip. First time he was gone for over a year (I think). This trip is supposed to be shorter, but he's been gone a couple months already.
I was stationed in Germany in the early 70s and spent many an off day working with a German family, helping them build their new home. Just walked up to the house site one day and asked if I could lend a hand.
I think having some building experience and an open mind is a great ticket for a young person.
Where do you want to go? Europe? Africa? Asia? Anartica? Alaska? Greenland? Australia? South Amaerica? I bet you can make it happen if you want.
Anywhere south of Canada. I've worked in the cold before and I do realize it is possible but working when the numbness has moved its way up into your knee joints, walking around like a penguin from all the layers, and picking the icicle off your beard before calling it a day gives me a negative view of the carpentry trade. I know of some tradesmen that the more extreme the weather the more they enjoy their job. I did a habitat for humanity build in Miami when the temperature outside was 98 degrees and I was happy as can be.
I can handle the heat but not the cold :( odd for a person who was born and raised in Canada worst province for freeze and thaw cycles :P
Well there's a heck of a lot of the planet with warmer climes than Canada, brotherman. Have a ball; you know that famous saying "this is not a practice life"? It's not. And it goes by so danged fast you'd better scratch that itch while you still have it - awful easy to put things off and put things off and turn around and find yourself 54 and on the downhill side of your life.
<And all the kids (some as young as eight) running around huffing gasoline. Priceless!>Yeah, plus being flown in, kept up, and paid reasonably well to do a job in a community with 90% unemployment. No blame on you, I've done it myself and that's the way the system works, but it does creep me out a little bit. the cruise ship sounds good ...j
We gave out 50 tool belts, hammers, hard hats, etc. etc. In the end there was about five that kept working ,, but even they dissappeared for a big drunk in the closest town,, and got thrown in the tank for days. Good times!
Actually, I've never been so scared in my life. The cruze ship sounds dandy!
The last time I was up north for a 4 day custom install project we came in fully self contained, worked alone, and left when we were done. No local input at all and we were subs for a contractor from the south, so other than the restaurant workers and the woman from the community who runs a late night pizza place out of her house we didn't talk to anybody. 'bout 3 years ago I took 2 guys up to set trusses on a building - 40' span or so wood trusses with inside vault and an 8:12 roof. No boom or crane of course so we muscled them the old fashioned way and tipped them up. We scrounged up four guys from the community to help us and wow could they ever work. All forest fire fighters seasonally - no fear of heights at all. All the conversation between them was in Cree. I was knuckle dragging by the end of the day and they all went off to play ball for the evening. j
They are looking for electrical inspectors in Iraq
http://tinyurl.com/nptos4
Too bad I'm an apprentice carpenter.
You guys have all gotten me so exited and fully ambitious about applying my skills in other areas. I think my largest anchor is fear of something different. I have the itch that I want to scratch but leaving a comfortable job with a guaranteed income while flying from the coop I call home is a major commitment. As tempting as it sounds to just pack a bag, spin the model globe and fly to where ever my fingers lands is, I'm looking for more insurance than simply hoping to walk onto a farm in a foreign country that needs my help. I guess the best way to go about it is contact more people and jump on any reasonable oportunity.
How did you find out about jobs that needed your assistance?
first check if you are allowed to work in the country of your choice. Most countries do not allow ANY work. They want to get their own people. Just like the US.
I live only 2 miles from the US border. The US side needs tradesmen desperately for reno etc. but if I show up on the border with a hammer in the back I get pulled over and "warned".
If I buy a home in the US I cannot even work on my own home there - have to hire local people
Now if you want to work illegal you are open for all kinds of abuses. Plus you can get deported and become an "unwanted alien". Once you are in the computer at the border there is nothing but hassle.
Goes pretty well for all countries in the world.
You definitely need a work visa - good luck.
Unless you are a nuclear scientist