Expatriate Forums in Malaysia

steve&beth · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:20 am Post subject: Carpentry/building job? Any job?

hi,
My girlfriend and i have been looking into moving to KL, she has found the job of her dreams in a international school just outside KL (shes a biology teacher). so we both thought excellent seeing as im a carpenter i will have no problem finding work, but i am really REALLY struggling! Does anyone know of any carpentry or building companys that might have job? I have considered doing a TEFL course and then try to get a part time job once we get there? To be honest i will do anything even if i have to take a course here in the uk over the summer to give me a better chance for work. I could not forgive myself if my girlfriend misses out on this job because of me! ANY help would be really appreciated!
Thank you
steve

Four_Feathers

geordie · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

I do know of some female teachers with 'trailing companions' who have settled down here fine.

As much as I would personally welcome properly qualified carpenters in this country, I'm afraid I concur with Dev ... You'll have to put your current profession in the backburner while you're here. Carpenters here are mostly self-trained and earn absolute peanuts compared to Europe. Immigration is not rushing to dish out ANY work permits for expats in this industry.

Do a TEFL / CELTA or if you're up for the challenge, even a course on children with special needs.

If you're the sporty kind, get a Level 1 or 2 F.A. coaching badge. Latter could even lead to part time position at GF's school or any junior football academy (know of 2 trailing companions who are happily doing this). Is she taking up a position at Alice Smith secondary school ???

steve&beth · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:30 am Post subject:

Thank you both for your replies, I think i will definatly get my tefl or similar done asap and like you said possibly a football coaching course seeing as i love my football.
thanks again
steve
p.s i hope you dont mind if ask you a few more questions if i get stuck or need some advice?

amienleo · Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject:

Hello Steve,

I believed that there will be quite a number of expats or even local need your expertise. Why not you setup a company here and run it yourself?

cvco · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:46 am Post subject:

I agree with all the posts.

1. Impossible to be hired as a carpenter or related "trades" guy. Plumbers and electricians have also asked many times. No company will pay a workpass or expat salary for work that a zillion locals can do. The govt wont allow this and there is simply nothing you can offer that is so unique that they would have to hire you over others.

2. But....while you also CANNOT open a company for this (that is, if youre expecting to get a workpass because govt only gives workpasses for unique, special, new ideas that it really wants to see happen in the country and youre being in the trades just takes away from locals opportunities anyway) what i would do is get hired here for teaching if you can, and then open a company for this but dont apply for a workpass and then round up all continental tradesmen that you can and advertise as such.

Ive met lots of expats in my 10 years here who wish they had continental tradesmen AND continental parts, even like Euro electric switches, and would be happy to hire an "All-Trades" group to get Euro/Western expertise. The quality of local work isnt very good and Euro trades people, especially certified/trained, working as a group would probably be a big hit.

So, the idea is that youd be here in a legit job with a workpass while you slowly develop customers on the side and see where it goes. At the very least youd get weekend jobs or for example, build cabinets at nite after your normal job ends and sell them. There are 100 ways but none of them include being hired by a local company or even an international company for that matter because when they came here they fully expected to take advantage of cheap local help which is exactly what the govt wants.