I'm leaving to alberta on boxing day with my friend and we've been trying to secure a labour job on an oil field but we are having trouble doing so. we wanted to confirm a job for when we got there but everyone wants to meet us in person before they offer us a job. does anyone know how the oil jobs are doing in alberta, particularly cold lake, since thats where we are moving. I've heard a lot of rumers about lay offs and we are just a bit scared that when we get there we wont find work right away. and also I would hate to drive to alberta to get a job that pays 16hr with no over time. what originally made us want to go is we heard the offer contracts for 3 weeks on 1 week off, 18-20hr to start, 12 hour days overtime after 8 and double time on weekends.
I'm looking for any information anyone can give me about going out there and on the job situation. Any info will help thanks. And 1 more important thing is i'm driving up with my friend, hes got a truck, but I dont have my liscence right now, what do you think the odds are off us scoring a job on the same rig, and will it hinder my chances at getting a job extremely. Thanks for any info you may be able to provide.Oil jobs in cold lake?
Right now the market is ';soft'; in Alberta so it's really hit and miss in the drilling industry. Even if you live in Cold Lake, that doesn't guarantee that is where the rig will be, they move around all the time.
There is no such thing as a rig job that pays 16/hr with no overtime, so don't worry about that. Each drilling company works differently, some are 3 on and 1 off, others are 3 on with a day or two off, some are 2 and 2, it just depends who you get on with. Also never heard of double time on weekends. You get over time for anything over 44 hrs/week.
You also get what's called ';Travelling Time'; which is a daily allowance to help cover your expenses... problem is you don't get that until your first cheque. I think the average now is about $100/day, which is tax free living allowance. I've heard of some guys getting $135/day with that. So when you add that to your wages, your cheques are pretty nice! I'm not sure what lease-hands and roughnecks start out with anymore, but once you work your way up to rig manager, you earn about $1,200/day. Drillers take home somewhere around $5,000 every 2 weeks.
As for your license, if you don't get on the same rig as your friend, you might have a problem. You could see if someone else on your crew is able to get you to work.
If you google ';Oilfield Drilling Companies in Alberta'; you will get a list of all the companies. I recommend you call them and ask them if they are hiring and what the forecast is for winter work. I doubt very much you will find anything that is Cold Lake based, but you could try.
If you do get a job and a couple of those big paycheques, keep in mind that you could be getting laid off any time.. plan ahead!! Can't tell you how important that is. Most young guys get a job and spend like drunken sailors then the rig shuts down and they panic. If you can keep a few months living expenses in the bank at all times, you'll get through any shut-downs no problem.
Be sure to check with Akita Drilling and Precision.
Hope this helps.
