NOC is OK, but what if my line of work is impossible to be done full time?

[MrBeakster]

Hello,

I'm currently on my post-graduate work permit right now with about 6 months left. I am going to apply for CEC but it is the work experience part that puzzles me. Right now, I'm working as a mascot character performer working on freelance basis as well as multiple part-time mascot jobs for various organizations (such as local attraction and sport team). I also do mascot training and consulting on the side, too. I have been doing this for more than a year now. My NOC would be 5232 in skill level B which is great. The problem is that the nature of this job will in no way be done in the traditional full-time capacity (as there are no such performer that perform 40 hours especially that most work are seasonal and on weekends). In addition, I am also looking at the self-employed business class option but I won't be able to get that 2 years requirement if I have to stop working after my PGWP expires. I have good standing with all my employers and clients and I really want to keep all the jobs I have. As for asking for work permit, my employer refuses to issue the LMO as my position is considered casual and I can't get another open work permit for freelancing.

My question is that will they take one year of experience if full time position in my line of work does not exist? (even with all works combined)

Thanks.

 

[jes_ON]

Hi MrBeakster (I can only imagine), CEC does allow for calculating "full time equivalence" using part-time hours, that is not a problem. But you have a different problem - the CEC class specifically excludes self-employment experience.

This question comes up occasionally for those occupations which meet the skill level requirement, but where the norm for the field is free-lance work. Unfortunately, I don't know whether or not they were successful...

 

[ihabkal]

they just told me on the phone today they exclude self-employment experience.
Like as if we are less than others only because we are slef employed. I won't post curse words but I am saying them.

 

[draxz1289]

I was also in the same boat I work as the deli lead with in a part time capacity as per the requirement it's one year of full time work or equivalent part time.

As per my lawyers suggestion I was able to get a letter from my employer stating my starting date with the necessary pay subs there fore covering the required hours in part time, I have worked here for Two years now

 

[ujbaby]

I am in a similar situation but not self employed. I work part time and it's been eating me up since i dont know how to calculate it. i dont have a fixed schedule on my job so my weekly hours varies( some weeks are full time or more than full time and some weeks are partime or less than parttime). draxz1289, how many hours do u work per week??? Are u able to calculate ur hours and how do u do it??? pls let me know

 

[MrBeakster]

It looks like I will have to give up all my mascot business (and maybe volunteer ones too as they will likely require work permit) and take a full time job in other field. It'd be a shame to let my skills (and my youth while I still have it) go to waste. At least my hours in NOC level B will help speed up my CEC process.

Now, I'd love to know how people in the entertainment business did it (actors, musicians, etc) as they are usually working with an agent or staffing agency. I know they can't make the agent or agency their employer so they can't get LMO straight from them. In a way, I don't want to spend processing fees for all the multiple applications for those multiple employers through the agency. 10 employers = $1500.

 

[draxz1289]

I am in a similar situation but not self employed. I work part time and it's been eating me up since i dont know how to calculate it. i dont have a fixed schedule on my job so my weekly hours varies( some weeks are full time or more than full time and some weeks are partime or less than parttime). draxz1289, how many hours do u work per week??? Are u able to calculate ur hours and how do u do it??? pls let me know

As per the requirement for the CEC class as a graduate "Full-time work experience means working at least 37.5 paid hours per week for a year" so 37.5 * 52 weeks for one year 1950 * 2 = 3900. Roughly you would need to cover the 3900 hours. I worked some times 4 days a week for 7 hrs and some times 5 days for 5 hrs a day but I was able to get the required hours.

 

[ujbaby]

Thanx draxz1289, I need only 1950 hrs as i graduated full time studies from canada college, so one year full time work or equivalent in part time to make up the required 1950hrs.
.. I works for employment agencies though ( two employers) but have acquired up to 1200hrs from one of them and 400hrs from the other one so far.. i always count my hours each paystub. When are u applying??? I started working since october 2010.. I dont know if i will wait till october 2012 to apply to reach 2 years ( then i would exceed 1950hrs) or apply immediately i get 1950hrs.. anyone have any idea????? Thanx for sharing

 

[draxz1289]

Yeah the requirement is only full time hours for one year so 1950 hours, of course ppl workin part time will take a bit long to cover them. Remember its not only about the hours but the Noc category also, so the two jobs you are working have to be in the required category and you have to prove it by the company giving you a letter stating your job description. I had applied for the cec program as a graduate in August and submitted my medical in September.

You not need to wait for two years as long as u have reached the full time hours And your job falls in the required category you are good to go. Of course there are other documents you need to submit like ielts which I found it a waste of time and money since we have studied in Canada and graduated and then your office transcripts to name a few.

 

[ujbaby]

WOW!!! congrats on having applied and got ur medicals done.. I cant wait to apply. I will be writing my ielts in january 2012. How was ur ielts??? Can u share ur scores?? How do u prepare for the test and how long does it take for the whole preparation?? how was the speaking and writing part of the test??? I am worried about essay writing.. just wondering which topic to expect. Thanx for ur concern.....

 

[MrBeakster]

I just learned today that HRSDC will not issue LMO for any part-time work permit (or make it impossibly hard to get) beyond my PGWP, it's pretty much officially the end of the line for my mascot works. *sigh*

But how did actors and other performers do it? To base in Canada and work part-time with multiple employers? Now that's a mystery! Can anyone shed some light on those entertainment people?

 

[draxz1289]

Sorry to hear that MrBeakster but if you are working under the NOC 5232 for an employer then why dont you apply for CEC under that, its only a matter of getting a letter stating your NOC 5232 from your employer.

 

[draxz1289]

WOW!!! congrats on having applied and got ur medicals done.. I cant wait to apply. I will be writing my ielts in january 2012. How was ur ielts??? Can u share ur scores?? How do u prepare for the test and how long does it take for the whole preparation?? how was the speaking and writing part of the test??? I am worried about essay writing.. just wondering which topic to expect. Thanx for ur concern.....

I just checked up the processing time and its been pushed to 15 months instead of 9 months which sucks since when I check my application status all it says is application received and then medical received im not sure if they have begun processing the application.......

Anyways to answer your question
I took the exam here in Toronto at http://www.ieltstoronto.com/ and just to quote "The IELTS test has four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Candidates must do all four parts to receive an IELTS result. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes."

I got R:8,L7.5,S:8,W:8 I wouldnt say I am superior in English but I am alright so the test was fairly simple, its not the test content itself but just the format for example for the listening exam the audio is played through a speaker in a class of 20 and only once you have to listen to it and write down the answers to four section just dont get overwhelmed.


As for writing, I was asked to write a letter to a banquette hall to book a room with my own requests I dont remember the other section Sorry. The instructor will give you a topic and about 2 min for you to prepare and then you talk my topic was are public figures (music artists,actor) good role models.

Here are some links to help you which I used, the second and third link gives you lots of practice exams

http://www.canadavisa.com/ielts/free-practice-tests.html

http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=7&id=20&Itemid=69

I also used http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_general_reading1.htm

 

[ujbaby]

Thanx dear.. ur very smart to get such high scores.. i am in toronto as well. will be looking into the links that u sent. how long does it take u to prepare?? my test is in january and i havent start studying.. thankx for sharing

 

[MrBeakster]

Sorry to hear that MrBeakster but if you are working under the NOC 5232 for an employer then why dont you apply for CEC under that, its only a matter of getting a letter stating your NOC 5232 from your employer.

My hours not full-time and some of my hours are on freelance/self-employed basis.