IMTARC Graduates Start Work at Meridian Marine

The Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre (IMTARC), BC's key shipbuilding and repair industry workforce development integrator, today announced that seven of 13 graduates from the First Nations Employment Society (FNES) “Passport to Shipbuilding and Repair” course will immediately begin work at Vancouver-based Meridian Marine Industries Inc. This is in addition to the earlier graduates from IMTARC coursing who are already employed by Meridian Marine.

The eight-week course, which was held at the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver, began on October 20 and ended Friday, December 12. The curriculum was designed and developed by IMTARC for FNES.  

The 13 participants were given an overview of the shipbuilding and repair industry and also had the opportunity to tour local shipyards and take part in hands-on job experience at Meridian Marine. During the training, the students dramatically improved their math and English assessment scores, and worked effectively during their work practicum at Meridian Marine. 

“The success of these programs relies heavily on employer support," said Michelle Traoré, IMTARC’s Manager of Operations and course instructor. “We are very lucky to have an employer like Meridian Marine, as they went above and beyond in providing these quality opportunities for our aboriginal students.” 

Commenting on the new hires, Jerry Pedneault, Operations Manager for Meridian Marine said, “It was exciting to see the exuberance these young graduates demonstrated, combined with their desire and drive to gain more knowledge of the marine industry. We look forward to working with this group and others, as they become an integral part of the future of the marine industry on the West Coast.”                                                       

While the seven now working at Meridian Marine are happy to have been hired, the other six course graduates will be focusing on going back to school to pursue their goal of working in the shipbuilding and repair industry.