Chasing the American Dream....

[Simon W 0]

Hello everyone,

Im new to this forum stuff so please excuse any errors!

Im Simon, 24 from Derby UK, married with 2 children. Im a fully qualified Plumbing & Heating Engineer with over 5 years experience in this field behind me. Ive been Gas Safe registered with the company i currently work at for 2 years, and have qualifications in Unvented Direct Hot Water systems, and UK Water Regulations.

Im looking to take my family to the US to potentially give my kids the best possible life i can. We have holidayed to Florida twice in the past and have loved the place from minute one. Its not the parks, its not the rides, its not the attractions that we love, its the lifestyle, the beautiful friendly people that we love, its the gorgeous weather that hangs around most of the time. i love the face that driving down the I4 from Orlando is actually enjoyable because everyone drives sensibly! Not like in the UK. And let me please stress that our hearts are not just drawn to Florida, we are open to anywhere in the US as we have heard that most US cities asre similar in their trends.

Anyway, you get the picture.

Please, anyone who can offer me help, advice or even a job offer, I would be most grateful to hear from you.

Thank you for your time.

-S

[X Factor 1,112]

If you are looking for plumbing related jobs - here is a link for Olrando for skilled trades which includes plumbing

http://orlando.craigslist.org/trd/

If you want to find for other cities just go to http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ and look at the right hand side for the US state you are interested in then click on a city you would like. After that click on the skilled trade / craft link for plumbing jobs.

This is just one website that I find useful. I wish you the best on your potential move.

[Boiler 46,359]

A jobwithout a visa is pretty pointless.

There is the E2 but not a good choice children.

EB5would be best bet.

[Simon W 0]

Kennard,

Thanks for your help and direction, much appreciated!

Boiler,

If you have the $500,000 needed to invest somewhere just lying around please, let me have it and I'll go down the EB5 route! We certainly don't have that cash.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

I think what they are saying is that it is difficult to move to the US. It is great you are a skilled worker but with unemployment the way it is in the US, there are lots of skilled workers without a job.

Unless you can get a job where the employer will sponsor you and your entire family, there aren't really many options left for you, since the Eb5 isn't for you

And spend 1 hurricane season in Florida and it might change your perspective

Good luck

[Simon W 0]

canadian_wife,

Thank you for your response. I understand what people are saying, and I realise that the job situation in the states is difficult, but I was under the impression skilled work was in big demand?

What would you recommend?

Is it the same story in Canada?

[Boiler 46,359]

Canada has a different system,

You do not seem to have the skill set, family connection or cash for the US requirements.

Look at OZ and NZ as well.

[Simon W 0]

Boiler,

Australia and New Zealand are the most expensive places to try and live, worse than UK, so we don't want to look there, plus we love the states, not oz or nz.

A snipit from the USCIS reads like this:

"Have education, training, or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.**"

5 years of additional schooling and 4 years solo on the job experiences fits the bill doesn't it?

[Boiler 46,359]

The job requires a degree, you must have that degree or have your work experience certified as being equivalent.

And you must have an Employer willing to go through the expense and time.

I do know an English guy locally who is a Plumber/Heating Contractor, he was ...City and Guilds? I do not remember the details but he had to do all his certifications again here.

I do not know how old you are, when I was at school they were switching to metric so I can do both. Metric is unknown here in the trades.

Australia may or may not be more expensive, the pay is better. And you may have a route that is feasible.

What does your wife do?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Boiler,

Australia and New Zealand are the most expensive places to try and live, worse than UK, so we don't want to look there, plus we love the states, not oz or nz.

A snipit from the USCIS reads like this:

"Have education, training, or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.**"

5 years of additional schooling and 4 years solo on the job experiences fits the bill doesn't it?

Your biggest hurdle in coming to the states will be finding an employer who is willing to foot the bill for you to come here. With the un-employment rate the way it is here, there are plenty of workers to choose from without the expense. I work in the HVAC industry and I can tell you first hand that there is no lack of eligible employees in my part of the country.

[Boiler 46,359]

I still think the Visa will be the killer, there is the E2..............

Personally I do not think it is a good fit for this situation, but it is out there.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I still think the Visa will be the killer, there is the E2..............

Personally I do not think it is a good fit for this situation, but it is out there.

Is getting a work visa from the UK tougher than anywhere else if he has a sponsor?

[Boiler 46,359]

Canada and Mexico have the TN, everywhere else is in pretty much the same boat.

[Simon W 0]

Not really the encouraging words I was looking for guys, but I appreciate your honesty, so thanks anyway.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

canadian_wife,

Thank you for your response. I understand what people are saying, and I realise that the job situation in the states is difficult, but I was under the impression skilled work was in big demand?

What would you recommend?

Is it the same story in Canada?

Skilled labour is in as much demand as the economy will permit, which isn't much. There is talk right now of student loan amnesty because so many students are graduating with college and university degrees with huge debt but no job to pay it off.

Immigrating to Canada is much different, there is a points system and I do not feel comfortable commenting on your chances with so little known about you.

Good luck