Seaspan Shipyards Stories

In the dark midwinter, a gift from the Midnight Sun

In early December, as the Midnight Sun (one of TOTE Maritime Alaska’s ships) was making its way to Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards (VSL) for the first of two shipyard work periods that will convert it to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual fuel propulsion system, Marlene Gurnham’s phone rang. Graham George, VSL Program Manager for the TOTE LNG project, was on the other end, with a request that was a first, even for the seasoned Executive Assistant to the shipyard’s most senior executives. Read more »

Changing the face of the workforce also means adapting the uniform

With Canada set to face a massive shortage of skilled trade workers over the next 10 to 15 years, recruitment is an urgent focus for trade sector organizations.

In addition to outreach to the traditional sources, groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the manufacturing and construction sectors are being sought out and urged to consider careers in the trades.

One rich and nearly untapped source is women. Women make up about half the labour force but less than 4 percent of the skilled trade sector. Small wonder that governments, industry associations, colleges and trade schools, trade unions and employers are encouraging women to consider a career in the trades. Read more »

 

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