Living and working in Canada. Are we too old?

Question

My wife and I would like to live and work in Canada. We are both 47 years old, and wonder, are we too old? My wife worries that at our age, we might be unemployable.

I am British and work in construction, mainly plastering. My wife is German and is head sister of a hospital in Frankürt. She is fluent in 5 languages, English being one of them. I have read in newspapers and such, that Canada is desperate for health care workers. What would be our chances of achieving this dream?

We don't have any children and there is nothing to really hold us back. How would we go about job-searches and visa`s etc?

Thanks to all who reply to this message.

Answer 1

I don't know in what country a 47 year old isn't employable. Most employers in Canada would give preference to mature workers with experience. On the other hand to immigrate you need a potential employer to sponsor you, and since there are many Canadian born people who know how to plaster, it might be hard to find one. Your wife will probably have to go to nursing school in Canada all over again to be allowed to work in her field here. I'm not trying to discourage you but just being realistic. I think you will have a better chance if you upgrade your skills so that you can fill an niche that few others are able to.

If you just want to stay here for a short time, it's easier to get a temporary work Visa for a few months than to immigrate. However, at the end they kick you out and you can only apply for immigration from outside the country, so if you think you will want to live in Canada permanently, if I were you I would apply for immigration and not a temporary stay.

Here is where you can get more information about the application process: http://www.cic.gc.ca/

Answer 2

Just apply and try.  The construction boom is about over, but there are still jobs in the west, where I am from.  On the government web site, there is a survey that gives points for your answers, and lets you know if you would even be considered.

www.canada.gc.ca

Answer 3

Ye are mad to even be hesitating. No kids so you don't have to worry about uprooting them from schools, friends etc. I have a load of relatives living in Ontario and Toronto. Beautiful weather in the summer and cold winters. Lakes that are so beautiful and a great life style.The building boom in the UK is slack now and they are always looking for health care staff in Canada. Go while ye can, you wont regret it.

Answer 4

Some jobs in nursing here are better than others

the good ones are all unionised

the ones that aren't are pretty poor opportunities

the union jobs have pension plans

which would represent a barrier to someone older starting anew

they probably have strict rules against new hiring over the age of 35

that is the way it is in public sector jobs of that nature

such as police, firefighters and nursing too I'm afraid

You can come to Canada

and both of you will probably get jobs

but it's not likely to be any picnic

unless you have some loot in the bank already

Answer 5

Canadian immigration is restrictive. There is a points systems based on different factors, such as age, education, wealth, etc. The more education, the better, the more wealth the better. It's not the same with age (the older the better), with age there is a "sweet spot" between 21 and 49. After 50 your "points" start to drop off. After the age 54, your are SOL in age "points".

You need at least 67 points to even qualify to apply.

Follow the link to see how many points you can score ;)

http://www.workpermit.com/canada/points_...

Also, you must not have any health problems or have been convicted of a crime. If you have either, you are ineligible.

Answer 6

too old?? what!!    Life begins at 50 no?

actually your wife's experience in health care will be key to getting in as she is right there is high demand especially in western canada (BC/Alberta). The ability for both English and French is also an advantage.

  I think you would find Vancouver area to be most similar to UK in terms of mild winters and not too hot summers.PLUS  the ocean, the mountains etc..

Construction is strong here in west as well so your trade experience.... you wont have a problem landing something i wouldnt think

The official website for info on immigrating to Canada is

http://www.cic.gc.ca/

Below I have linked to some of our "health regional authorities" in western canada to give an idea of whats available in her field.  If you poke around the "career section" these authorities often have programs for assisting and fast racking people into the country with health degrees.  Yes they are desperate for nurses, pharmacists especially.

http://vch.ca   (Vancouver)

http://calgaryhealthregion.ca  (Calgary)

http://capitalhealth.ca (Edmonton)

for you try

http://www.monster.ca to get some idea of trade jobs available.

I hope you find this useful and realize your dream.