Canadian shipbuilder Seaspan is investing $2.5 million into a five-year program that would give Indigenous people in the Vancouver, BC area the chance to pursue apprenticeships and training for careers in the maritime industry.
Seaspan is teaming up with Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS) on the program, which would support:
- Increasing skills and providing technical training such as metal fabrication, welding, bridge watch and other shipbuilding trades.
- Reaching out to high schools with plans by ACCESS to host “sampler programs” with five lower mainland school districts to introduce students to the trades and offer skills training.
- Funding emergency relief of $22,500 annually to the Urban Spirit Foundation to help students finish their training, and
- Granting achievement awards of $2,500 annually to top students in marine training programs.
Seaspan has been an ongoing supporter of ACCESS, funding more than $6.8 million for the nonprofit to support training programs since 2016.
“We are proud to continue partnering with ACCESS to help deliver skills development programs tailored to urban Indigenous people so they can pursue high-demand and rewarding careers in shipbuilding,” Seaspan Shipyards CEO John McCarthy said in a statement.
“As we create the next generation of B.C. shipbuilders, we need to ensure that we are reducing barriers and building a diverse workforce,” he continued. “Programs such as this help us achieve that goal and provide opportunities for generational careers in our rapidly expanding industry.”
