Work in the US/Canada

[slinky]

Hi all,

Work has pretty much dried up for me in the UK and I was wondering what it's like in the US and Canada.
I am looking to move over for a short period if possible, to gain further experience and see how things work in the land of opportunity.

Anyone got any input on this subject or know of any projects a humble English guy may be able to get involved in?

[Fabian Munoz]

From Southern Ontario, Canada

Here is very sloooooooooowww.

No investment on new machinery. I've been around with robots for few years. I talked to the guys at Fanuc and Motoman couple of weeks ago and they told me the same thing "slow".  Companies are closing.

I know 3 or 4 robot programmers (contractors) and they are not busy at all.

I wouldn't recommend a move right now, hopefully things get better but it's no going to happens from one day to another


my 2 cents

somar

[slinky]

Thanks for the info.
For reference, what qualifications does one need to work as a robot programmer/software engineer over there? Do you need nationally recognised electrical qualifications?

What equipment and applications are most popular?

Is there much work outside of automotive?

[Jim Tyrer]

Would agree with Somar, a move to here would be like jumping from the fat into the fire.
Qualifications here don't really mean that much. It's all about who you know and your track record.

[jseger]

I would agree with what Jim said about qualifications.  It doesn't really matter.  Usually if you can't get in a place with your qualificataions, you can try get your foot in the door another way and then you may have an opportunity to prove yourself worthy. 

[slinky]

Same over here, not just what you know...

I was offered a job for a company in Detroit last year but turned it down. Don't know whether that was a bad move or not now.

I'm thinking more long term now though, as North America should recover, or see an upturn at least, before anyone else.

The other thing is the paperwork.
A company has to employ me and fill out a shed load of paper work a long time in advance of me getting over. I am considering trying to get a couple of weeks work experience with someone like Comau over there.

[TylerRobertson]

I've had some offers from my clients for jobs in the states, but I could easily see them panning out to be just a one year, "temporary need filled" positions, so wouldn't recommend others the jobs.

Bearing that in mind, I'm going to start a thread