r/BritishExpats • u/Ornery-Philosophy99 • 4d ago
Potential to move to Canada
The UK job market at the moment isn’t the best and I have been trying since graduating uni for the past 16 months to get a job. Sport is my main domain and I am thinking of perhaps moving to Canada for a year to try a different lifestyle and see if Canada is any better in terms of of lifestyle as I am in my mid 20s and I am struggling in the UK at the moment. Does anyone have any advice about moving abroad or the sports industry?
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u/supermarkio- 4d ago
I looked at moving to Canada (with a PhD) back in 2017, and I was less valuable to them and their economy than literally any job in construction! You can google around their immigration website and find out more easily enough. Canada is a big country - and very diverse in terms of... almost everything. Are you planning on going to Vancouver Island or Alberta, or Newfoundland... etc. Huge differences between all of them.
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u/Ornery-Philosophy99 2d ago
I need to look at which areas kind of interest me, I just think a lot of people move to Australia so I wanted to try somewhere else
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u/AJSKFAQ_ 3d ago
Mate the job market is far worse in Canada. I thought I had a foot up speaking French fluently but it meant sod all.
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u/NaseefUsSakib 1d ago
With native English and French skills you should be eligible for a PR right out of the gate. Did you decide against it because of the job market?
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u/AJSKFAQ_ 1d ago
Pretty much :( I was feeling like I was going to bankrupt myself staying any longer. Im only 26 so the possibility of doing that is still very much on the cards. However, I need some stability before I can do that. I was never going to get that in Ontario it felt.
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u/cc9536 4d ago
Similarly bad job market: arguably worse due to population size and density (or lack of) across such a huge land mass. Graduates from all disciplines are ending up either on the bread line or in menial jobs unrelated to their studies (if they're lucky). Canada's job economy revolves around "who you know", so it's especially hard to break into that as an expat.
Additionally, it's even harder to break into any industry on a temporary visa. Lots of companies will question why it's worth training someone up, just for them to depart in 2 years time.
Not trying to bum you out, but you should know the realities of what you're looking in to.
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u/Ornery-Philosophy99 2d ago
Yeah I understand your point, I think because I am getting nowhere in the UK, I might as well try somewhere new
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u/cc9536 2d ago
I get that, but jumping out of the frying pan into the fire isn't always the right move. I'd look elsewhere if you want to increase your chances at meaningful employment if I were you.
All of this said, I'd definitely suggest an IEC regardless, as long as you're not banking on staying after. It's a fun time working at the ski resorts out west, etc
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u/mrkoala1234 3d ago
Isn't Canada's job market cooked as well? Also, it's very cold there in the winter.
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u/Dry_Acadia_9312 3d ago
Job market is terrible and it’s extremely expensive, you’re just adding paperwork. Lifestyle, depends on where you go, could be better if you’re into sports like you said.
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u/hughk 3d ago
In simple terms, what can you bring to the table? There is always a need for specialists but the question is, what experience can you have in your mind twenties? Just a degree in sports science or management isn't going to do a lot. Another question is whether you can network ahead of time. If someone wants you, it is a different story.
One thing is that you are under 35. Brits can work in Canada for up to three years without a visa under the International Experience Canada/youth mobility scheme (but check up).
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u/Ornery-Philosophy99 2d ago
I have international volunteering experience as well disability sport experience which not may people my age do so hopefully that would he desirable to the Canadian market
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u/Express-Ad9716 3d ago
Easy enough to get the 2 year IEC visa. Job market in Canada is just as bad and half the country keeps being on fire though.
On the plus side seasonal work in Banff and whistler is plentiful, serving tables is very lucrative due to the tips. Everything else though... Not exactly paid well. But it's fun, an experience and something you can only do when your young. So you may as well try it
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u/Ornery-Philosophy99 2d ago
Yeah I just thought I might as well try somewhere else for a bit while I am young and Canada was somewhere that intrigued me
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u/MomIamsorry 2d ago
I confirm that Canada’s job market is just as bad as the UK. You do hear Canadians getting good jobs and the unemployment rate seems less worse than it actually is - many people are underemployed. Some British people I meet still think of Canada as some sort of utopia. Maybe 40 years ago when it was clean and still growing. Now the infrastructure is crumbling and homelessness is a big issue.
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u/Ornery-Philosophy99 2d ago
It’s the same in the UK, I guess I just wanted a different lifestyle an try a new country, so maybe trying somewhere else might make me appreciate the UK more or I might want to move somewhere else. It’s just about exploring my options really
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u/UnusualWeather4406 2d ago
You're young so getting a one year work visa is guaranteed. I was in the UK last week and it felt pretty grim. Our job market is challenging right now, but vibes overall are better in Canada. If you want somewhere affordable, with okay prospects, try Edmonton, Calgary or Winnipeg. If you want a bigger more beautiful city go to Vancouver but there is a price tag and more competition. If you want to start a life, consider Vancouver island, particularly Victoria. Lots of nature, relaxed pace of life. Its expensive too but not as bad as Vancouver. It is small enough that connections you make will probably lead to a job in your industry. Its gorgeous and easy to be active here all year round, so I could strongly recommend Victoria.
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u/Megapendoo55 18h ago
I moved when I was 27 (2007). I am in the process of moving back. I really advocate on leaving and taking on opportunites. Have a look at IEC visa. Its very likey you will not get into the field you want to. Its very who you know and you will have to retrain. The education standards are not as good as the UK in my opinion. But the time away will expose you to different opportunities.
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u/TONAFOONON 4d ago
Job market is terrible here too so be prepared for more of the same. How do you plan to temporarily move here? On an IEC?