Province Invests in Next Generation of Shipbuilders

Nova Scotia is built to build ships and the province is investing in the next generation of shipbuilders.

The province, through jobsHere, the province's plan to create good jobs and grow the economy, will invest more than $190,000 in a new metal fabrication program at Nova Scotia Community College beginning in September.

"One of the main goals of the jobsHere strategy is to help Nova Scotians learn the right skills to land good jobs and that is what this investment is all about," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Nova Scotia has a proud history of shipbuilding, and the future looks bright. This is an investment in jobs, in education, and in future generations of shipbuilders in Nova Scotia."

Metal fabricators cut, bend and assemble metal into structures, and these skills are essential to key Nova Scotia industries such as shipbuilding, heavy machinery and structural steel and manufacturing plants.

The provincial investment included $67,200 to redevelop the metal fabrication apprenticeship curriculum and $123,000 to buy equipment to support a second section of the metal fabrication diploma program at NSCC. The new, re-developed program will continue at the Marconi Campus in Sydney and the additional section will be offered at the Akerley Campus in Dartmouth.

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. donated 25 state-of-the-art welding stations and supplies worth $112,500 as part of its commitment to industrial and regional benefits for the Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel construction program at Halifax Shipyard. These welding machines will be used by students in the new metal fabrication lab at the Akerley Campus.

"This new program is a prime example of the province of Nova Scotia and NSCC responding to a growing labour force need," said Steve Durrell, president, Irving Shipbuilding. "Steel fabrication is a huge part of the shipbuilding industry and, based on our current order book of projects, we will need more steel fabricators at Irving Shipbuilding over the next five to seven years. The number of apprentices in our workforce peaked at 300 last year, a clear indication that we have already begun in earnest to invest in the shipbuilders of tomorrow. It certainly made the decision to invest in new welding equipment to support this new program an easy one."

Another dozen employers from Nova Scotia's steel manufacturing industry have donated $119,500.

"The input we received from employers and the workforce development experts at the Department of Labour and Advanced Education is just as valuable as their financial contributions," said Don Bureaux, president, NSCC. "Their knowledge, insight and experience is infused in this program, which means our students are learning exactly what they need to build careers, and futures, right here at home in Nova Scotia."

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. is the single largest employer of apprentices in Nova Scotia. Premier Dexter said it's this kind of commitment to skills and training that makes the company the best choice to build Canada's fleet.

"This new program is a demonstration of the possibilities created when government, industry and educators work together," said Premier Dexter. "It's what makes Nova Scotia built to build."