Hoping to come to Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks: 2009, home, find a job)

[crazyturtleman]

Hey all I am new to the forum and know I am most likely asking a question that has been asked a million times before, but have looked around a bit and there is a ton of info on here but just havent found what is on my mind right now.

I am in Minnesota have been my whole life and wanna get out, its southern minnesota by the way and it sucks. The winters are not what they have been in the past, minimal snow and what have you. And me and my wife just need a total change of life.

We love outdoor activities that include being out with our dog (a Great Pyr so we dont think she will EVER mind the cold) like snowshoeing and the such.

But two BIG questions in my mind are first how can I find a job I am not afraid to work hard and not afraid to trying anything new I have my CDL if that would help and wouldnt mind trying out the fishing profession. But I have no idea how to find a job up there while stuck here and dont want to move without a job. I have also heard of companies that will pay for your move if they will hire you but no idea if that is a good idea or where to find a employer like that.

Also is if you can bring you pets along if we were to drive there can we bring our dog through canada and can we bring our dog into Alaska without any troubles.

By the way we are looking to be in the Anchorage area at least to start our life in Alaska if the dream ever becomes true.

Thank you all for your help.

[Rance]

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding work with a CDL. Either in town or on the slope. Forget the fishing industry. It sucks. With fuel costs so high, fish prices so low, I know many that never made more than 2 or 3 day trips commercial fishing this summer. Even the charters are in a bind.

State of Alaska Home Page

Alaska Job Center Network

[Chilkoot]

This is on the same state website Rance suggested, just a bit further into it.

http://www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_ala...bs/ak_over.htm

[SADIEFEMALE]

We are not getting that nice snow anymore. This summer was gray alot and cooler than usual so we might get alot of snowfall this winter. Our winters are warmer with more icy conditions on the roads and snow due to warming and cooling conditions. Our wages are not as good as they used to be. You can check out adn.com for jobs in Anchorage, etc.

[Sporty2005]

My husband is a union pipefitter and is heading to Alaska to work for a while to see if he can take the weather and more importantly to see if he can make a living. In the mean time I'll be here in Texas soakin' up the sun. We have tossed the idea of moving to Alaska around for a while, but now that our oldest is off to the Navy and my youngest is 8 I can't think of a better time.
Can anyone clue us in on the pipefitting jobs that may be available on the North Slope? He's union and will go through "The Hall" but the more info the better!
Good Luck

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Sporty2005

My husband is a union pipefitter and is heading to Alaska to work for a while to see if he can take the weather and more importantly to see if he can make a living. In the mean time I'll be here in Texas soakin' up the sun. We have tossed the idea of moving to Alaska around for a while, but now that our oldest is off to the Navy and my youngest is 8 I can't think of a better time.
Can anyone clue us in on the pipefitting jobs that may be available on the North Slope? He's union and will go through "The Hall" but the more info the better!
Good Luck

Should be plenty of work for him up on the Slope right now:

United Association Local Union 375 - Fairbanks Alaska

And now is definitely the time for a Pipefitter (or anyone else) to start thinking about heading up north. Once the gas pipeline gets going full swing, there will be more jobs than people:

http://www.denali-thealaskagaspipeline.com/

[Chilkoot]

Although most other areas of the state are in a decline in the construction industry, last year was one of the top 3 busiest construction seasons on the North Slope in the past 20 years, and it continues. The state is pumping millions of dollars into educating youth in preparation of creating an Alaskan workforce to accommodate the thousands of jobs that will be needed to build the gas pipeline. As AK_Photographer indicated, it’s a good time to begin exploring construction jobs in Alaska.

ASRC www.asrc.com/jva/
UIC www.ukpik.com/Careers.htm
CH2M Hill www.careers.ch2m.com

Just a few to get you started. If you contact one of the Alaska Job Center offices in Alaska they can fax you a list of oilfield services companies with website addresses which most will have a link for their jobs.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by crazyturtleman

Also is if you can bring you pets along if we were to drive there can we bring our dog through canada and can we bring our dog into Alaska without any troubles.

The State of Alaska requires dogs and cats from out of state to have a current rabies vaccination if three months of age or older and a small animal health certificate within 30 days of import. Animals coming from a rabies quarantine area are required to call the State Veterinarians office in Anchorage at (907) 375-8200 for issuance of a permit number. It is important to have the actual rabies certificate, not just a rabies tag.

In order to transport your dog through Canada you must have a rabies vaccination certificate if the dog is older than three months.

[pgrdr]

Originally Posted by SADIEFEMALE

We are not getting that nice snow anymore. This summer was gray alot and cooler than usual so we might get alot of snowfall this winter. Our winters are warmer with more icy conditions on the roads and snow due to warming and cooling conditions. Our wages are not as good as they used to be. You can check out adn.com for jobs in Anchorage, etc.

Summer 2009 was abnormally warm and sunny, but although it was nice, it sure is hard on the sea life. Anchorage summers used to almost always be cool and grey, until the last few years, but as you said in 2008, they turned back to cool and grey. Then this summer, sunny again and even hotter than those past unusual summers. We may be watching global warming in action.

[pgrdr]

Originally Posted by Chilkoot

Although most other areas of the state are in a decline in the construction industry, last year was one of the top 3 busiest construction seasons on the North Slope in the past 20 years, and it continues. The state is pumping millions of dollars into educating youth in preparation of creating an Alaskan workforce to accommodate the thousands of jobs that will be needed to build the gas pipeline. As AK_Photographer indicated, it’s a good time to begin exploring construction jobs in Alaska.

ASRC www.asrc.com/jva/
UIC www.ukpik.com/Careers.htm
CH2M Hill www.careers.ch2m.com

Just a few to get you started. If you contact one of the Alaska Job Center offices in Alaska they can fax you a list of oilfield services companies with website addresses which most will have a link for their jobs.

There is a chance the Alaska pipeline will never happen, and a very good chance it won't be that big (not compared to the oil pipeline) because there is a natural gas glut, which means there won't be that many customers for our gas beyond our own borders. Alaskans really need to find other industries besides extractive industries if we want to stay economically vital. In fact, we have great opportunities to create new forms of energy between our tidal power, geothermal, and wind, if we would just be smart.