The first students are expected to begin classes in January at the new marine training centre now gearing up for everyone from entry-level trades to top executives.
"We are really doing the whole gamut," said retired navy Capt. Alex Rueben, newly hired as the centre's executive director.
Details of courses and industry needs are still being developed as construction on the new Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre on Maplebank Road, off Admirals Road, is expected to be completed in December.
The 4,400-square foot building is under the umbrella of the Resource Training Organization of B.C. The centre had its beginnings in the West Coast Shipbuilding and Repair Forum, founded by Rueben six years ago.
That forum anticipated that additional marine training would be needed - even before the federal government announced its $35-billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, which resulted in Seaspan Marine Corp. winning the right to negotiate $8 billion worth of contracts to build non-combat vessels. Seaspan owns shipyards in Victoria and Vancouver.
A professional engineer, Rueben's background includes commanding officer of the Cape Breton Fleet Maintenance Facility at CFB Esquimalt and chief of staff for the navy on the west coast.
He was chairman of the B.C. Shipbuilding and Repair Workforce Table, set up in November to work with industry to capitalize on the Seaspan's success and other shipyard work and figure out industry's needs for skilled labour.
Victoria Shipyards is already a hive of activity with the modernization of five Halifax-class frigates worth more than $351 million. The shipyard and its partner companies also have a five-year, $370 million contract to maintain the Canadian military's four submarines.
Rueben said the forum recognized that Seaspan was concentrating on increasing its cruise ship customers, which come in for upgrading and refits, and that B.C. Ferries could be replacing some of its assets and that it would need modernization and repairs on its ships.
The marine training centre's construction and initial operating costs are funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada, which is contributing $1 million, and $750,000 from industry, including Seaspan and B.C. Ferries.
The province is contributing funding through a labour market partnership agreement for curriculum development and project management. As the centre becomes established, it is expected to become self-sustaining, Rueben said. Operating costs are pegged at $500,000 annually.
Two classrooms will hold 24 students each and the centre will have a 12-person computer lab.
A wide range of training will be provided, depending on what employers want. Rueben anticipates courses will cover such areas as leadership development, entry-level shipyard training, specialized training for submarines and safety and environmental skills.
The centre will stage courses for employers and will also lease out space.
Rueben is anticipating working with employers and with post-secondary institutions such as Camo-sun College and B.C. Institute of Technology.
