Canada/New shipbuilding training at L'Isle-aux-Coudres

The federal government's maritime strategy is creating an urgent need for specialized workers. A new paid shipbuilding training program was launched in February. L'Isle-aux-Coudres welcomed its first cohort, who are studying and working directly on site.

One of the students, Michaël Morales, left the civil service in the suburbs of Montreal to train as a maritime labourer in Charlevoix. He has no regrets about his choice.

"We're a really nice gang in L'Isle-aux-Coudres, so it's really warm when we're here. Everyone's really nice. Since I don't really have a lot of experience, when I have questions I go and see someone, then right away I get good feedback and they help me," says the apprentice craftsman.

There are eight of them taking the new Attestation of Professional Studies in Shipbuilding, given entirely at the Groupe Océan shipyard.

"We'll be doing metalwork, we'll be doing insulation inside the boats, we'll be doing electrical wiring. We'll also be involved in painting and sandblasting. In short, it's varied," explains Bryan Vézina, trainer at Avise Centre de formation Charlevoix.

"You're constantly learning a new trade, so that's what I like," adds Michaël Morales.

In response to industry needs, the Charlevoix and Rives-du-Saguenay training centers, the maritime industry's CSMO and PERFORM joined forces to set up the program in just one year.

"I can tell you that there's a big part of the government's naval offensive involved in this, and also a big shortage of manpower in the shipyards. We know that companies are recruiting enormously at the moment in every possible field," explains Bryan Vézina.

With the addition of two new tugs, Groupe Océan's order book is full. It's to our advantage to train these workers.

The shipyard's production manager, Claude Santerre, is a perfect example. "I come from a welding course we did in-house several years ago.it really works, because people are really trained for our application, and it's really interesting, because our workforce stays with us."

The project partners are very satisfied with this first experience. They hope to repeat it next fall with a new cohort.

Source: cimtchau.ca/news/