Where are the unlicensed AME jobs advertised for Canada? etc

[jaythebrit]

Hi everyone! Right I've never used a forum before, so be easy on me! Bit about myself, I've worked for BAE Systems for 11 years. Worked in the UK for 10 and in Australia for 1.
They called me and Aircraft Fitter in England which converted to a Dual trade AME in Australia structures/mechanical. Would I be called an AME in Canada or a Technician? I completed my apprentice in England and converted to a Cert IV in Australia.
I've only worked on military jets, don't know much about licensing or the commercial world. I want to move to Canada but all the jobs I seem to find online are asking for Licenses. I've contacted Transport Canada and getting licenses seems to be a costly, timely exercise, which is good because it is a responsible job. But where are all the unlicensed jobs advertised? Ideally I want to arrive in Canada and just work unlicensed as an aircraft mechanic/fitter/AME/technician/what ever terminology you want to use! Could somebody put me in the right direction? Cheers

[Pat Richard]

In Canada, if you don't have a license you are an apprentice, and companies seem to follow that logic in paying people regardless of how much time/experience they have in.

Probably not what you wanted to hear..

[jaythebrit]

Oh ok then, thanks for that Pat. I best start looking at getting a license then. I was thinking of doing the following distance learning course:

http://www.icslearn.ca/aircraft/

Apparently this will go towards an M license. Do you know of anyone who has gained a license this way?

Also have you heard of AME's working unlicensed anywhere in Canada? Perhaps on aircraft production,assembly lines?

Cheers

[Pat Richard]

bombardier and IMP comes to mind. I knew a few people there years ago who did the ics course while working there and ended up getting the license. You should be able do that anywhere though.
imp is mostly military work, and im not sure if any recognition is given by TC these days. didnt used to, but i dont keep up to date with tc's changes.
just as long as the number on my cheque is right...

[jaythebrit]

Thanks mate, I'll check out IMP and Bombardier. So where abouts are you working at the moment if you don't mind me asking? What would say is an average wage for a licensed AME? Apologies so many questions! Cheers

[all_ramped_up]

bombardier and IMP comes to mind. I knew a few people there years ago who did the ics course while working there and ended up getting the license. You should be able do that anywhere though.
imp is mostly military work, and im not sure if any recognition is given by TC these days. didnt used to, but i dont keep up to date with tc's changes.
just as long as the number on my cheque is right...

The experience counts but still require six months of civvy work to get licensed.

[acidgambit]

bombardier and IMP comes to mind. I knew a few people there years ago who did the ics course while working there and ended up getting the license. You should be able do that anywhere though.
imp is mostly military work, and im not sure if any recognition is given by TC these days. didnt used to, but i dont keep up to date with tc's changes.
just as long as the number on my cheque is right...

The experience counts but still require six months of civvy work to get licensed.

6 months of civvy experience, need to fill out a logbook, finish all tech exams and CARS exam to get your license.

I have seen 703/704 operators hire apprentices with the ICS course, but haven't seen or heard 705 operators hire apprentices with ICS course.

Oh wait...........I lied. I have a buddy with ICS course and got hired on by Westjet, but that's all I know.

[brownbear]

Try applying at companies that are structural repair places. Like Aero Metal, or the smaller ones. Your experience sounds like S AME not M. Is that correct? Sometimes S companies pay a person a bit more on experience even if they do not have a licence. But that wont come right away. you have to prove yourself to them.

M companies as said before don't have a technician category. You are either an Apprentice or an AME. Which then progresses to an ACA (the ones who sign out the planes).

Another source of jobs without a licence would be manufactures.

[212wrench]

Your also gonna need a work permit.

[jaythebrit]

Apologies for the delayed reply, I have had trouble with my internet. Thanks for all your replies guys. Just to answer some of your questions?

-212wrench I'll either be on a working holiday visa for Canada or my Mrs will get sponsored as she is a Cardiac Nurse. So I will I have a visa that will allow me to work, is that what you mean by a work permit? Or is that something different? Cheers

-brownbear my experience is mainly on brand new live aircraft in England working on development flight lines or on the ground crew for new jets going through the PFAT flights etc. This involved all the RAMP/Flightline servicing, marshalling, fixing snags etc and mechanical work didn't get any heavier than the occasional engine change. I was just called an Aircraft Fitter for this, worked on Hawk, Eurofighter and Nimrod (before they scrapped it).
More recently I have been doing structures work in Australia work on old corroded F/A 18s, and in the structures workshop doing sheet metal work.
I would prefer to do mech work over structures but may be structures work would be the easier option for unlicensed work? Hmmm....

Cheers Jay

[SeptRepair]

Hi Jay.

You may try this website. http://www.avaerocouncil.ca They have a program for recognizing a skilled person without a license that is of value to the aviation industry. I have a good buddy who has been a structures guys for over 40 yrs but never became licensed. He has forgotten more then most people know, but could not be compensated fairly in a union shop because he lacked that little piece of paper. He got accreditation through this program and that helped him in earning the same wage as a licensed guy.

Good luck.