Halifax, N.S. – A dozen students entering shipbuilding-related trades at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) this fall have been awarded the first-ever Irving Shipbuilding Centre of Excellence bursaries. 
 

The $3,130 biennial bursaries cover 100 percent of tuition costs for diploma programs related to the shipbuilding sector; they are renewable for the second year of the two-year program based on student performance. The bursaries will be offered again in 2017 through the NSCC Foundation.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, says, “I am proud that our Government’s historic investment in new equipment for the Royal Canadian Navy is leading Irving to invest in the next generation of Canadian shipbuilders. I hope that participating in these trades programs will lead to rewarding shipbuilding careers for these 12 Nova Scotians.”

The Centre of Excellence is not a physical structure, but an initiative established by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and NSCC to build opportunities for Nova Scotians interested in careers in shipbuilding. The centre’s work is focused on increasing workforce diversity by supporting communities that are currently under-represented in Irving Shipbuilding's workforce and the sector itself. Specifically, NSCC and Irving Shipbuilding are growing career opportunities for First Nations, African Canadians, persons with disabilities and women. 

ISI President Kevin McCoy says, “Irving Shipbuilding is proud to support Nova Scotian students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the marine industry. A long-lasting and vibrant Canadian marine industry has talented professionals at the heart of it.  These students have a wonderful opportunity to pursue meaningful careers in these professions thanks to the work of the Centre of Excellence.”

These bursaries are just one of the centre’s initiatives to build a more diverse team of marine trades professionals. The centre also recently partnered with the Women Unlimited program to provide an introduction for 19 women to metal trades programs at the college.  The participants graduated on July 7 and will begin at NSCC’s Akerley Campus this fall.  
 
NSCC President Don Bureaux says the college is pleased to be a part of the centre’s initiatives which will help change the face of the workforce.  “To ensure the success of the shipbuilding contract and to help build our province’s economic future, there is a need to work harder at every turn to support those not traditionally represented in these fields. I am pleased the college can be a part of helping make that needed change.”

2015 AWARD RECIPIENTS:

Jace Benoit – Port Hastings, NS 
Electrical Construction & Industrial

Strait Area Campus 

Candace Denny – Pictou Landing, NS
Electrical Construction & Industrial
Cumberland Campus 

Logan Deyoung – Antigonish County, NS 
Welding – Diploma
Strait Area Campus 

Ejiro Enyemike – Calgary, AB 
Welding Inspection & Quality Control
Pictou Campus 

Dawn Hamilton – Dartmouth, NS
Metal Fabrication
Akerley Campus 

Brandon MacDonald – Dartmouth, NS
Pipe Trades
Institute of Technology Campus

 
Gilles Marchand – Antigonish, NS
Pipe Trades
Strait Area Campus 

Brandon Pettipas – Antigonish County, NS 
Welding – Diploma
Strait Area Campus 

Kirk Richardson – Hilden, NS 
Welding – Diploma
Akerley Campus 

Elizabeth Riutta – Salmon River, NS

Pipe Trades
Institute of Technology Campus 

Natalie Robichaud – Meteghan Centre, NS
Electrical Construction & Industrial
Shelburne Campus 

Dawn Swinemer – Western Shore, NS
Electrical Construction & Industrial
Lunenburg Campus 

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For more information:

Irving Shipbuilding
Mary Keith, Vice President Communications
506-632-5122 or 506-650-8209
@jdirvinglimited or @jdicareers

Nova Scotia Community College
Kathleen Cameron, Sr. Communications Advisor
902-491-4899, Kathleen.Cameron@nscc.ca 
@NSCCNews