Building skills and shaping the future of shipbuilding: Meet some of our Vancouver Shipyards apprentices

January 20, 2025

At Seaspan, apprentices are at the core of our success, bringing energy and a commitment to mastering their craft. In this feature, we meet some of the talented apprentices who are shaping the future of shipbuilding. From hands-on projects to lessons learned on the job, Alanna, Kyle and Nicolas share their experiences, challenges, and what makes working at Vancouver Shipyards both rewarding and unique.

AlannaAlanna Kunic | Welder Apprentice

What inspired you to pursue welding as a career?
I’ve always wanted to be a welder—my dad is a welder and a heavy-duty mechanic. He taught me some welding when I was a kid.

Life took me in different directions for a while. I wanted to try other things, but eventually, I came back to welding.

What’s been something unexpected about the job?
Honestly, my passion for it. I always thought welding was cool, but actually doing it and realizing that I’m good was a pleasant surprise. People even say I’m a natural and it runs in my family.

What’s been your proudest moment in welding?
Definitely earning my CWB certification. It’s a big milestone because it determines whether you are qualified to weld. My next goal is to pass my Red Seal exam. Overcoming self-doubt was also a big thing for me. Self-doubt often stops people from pursuing their dreams, especially later in life. I didn’t start welding until I was 30, but I’m glad I made the leap.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in welding?
Don’t let your fears take over in your mind, because they always will. Just put those fears away and say I can do this and just do it. Something that helps me is reminding myself that many people would love to be in my position and I’m fortunate to have this opportunity. On hard days, I take a breath, go for a walk, and go back to it.

KyleKyle Hahn | Mechanic Apprentice

What inspired you to pursue mechanics as a career?
My interest in mechanics started when I was a kid. I initially considered becoming an auto mechanic because I enjoyed fixing my own cars. Then, my dad suggested looking into millwright work and it just felt like the right path. The idea of working on machinery in an industrial setting really resonated with me, so I enrolled in a six-month foundations course at BCIT and I’ve never looked back.

What’s an exciting project you have or will work on?
Right now, I’m working on the propulsion system, which is a big deal for me. We’re aligning the propeller shafts, ensuring each one meets precise alignment and tolerance requirements. It’s a detailed, time-intensive job, but I’m learning so much from it. It’s exciting to be directly involved in such a critical part of the ship’s construction.

Is there something surprising you’ve learned on the job?
I’d say the biggest surprise is the level of expertise everyone has here. It’s impressive to see people tackle complex tasks. They just know how to get things done and it’s inspired me to build up my own skills and knowledge to reach that level someday.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in mechanics?
I’d say go in with an open mind and be ready to handle whatever comes your way. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed—things can ramp up quickly, but keeping a calm head helps a lot.

NicolasNicolas May | Welder Apprentice

What inspired you to pursue welding as a career?
My journey started in high school where I took a metalworking class and did some welding. I didn’t think much of it then, but in Grade 12, as I was considering engineering, I realized I wanted something more hands-on. That led me to jump straight into working with tools. I also found out that I really enjoy pipe welding because it’s quite dynamic with lots of feedback which keeps me on my toes.

Do you find it challenging to adapt to the daily changes?
It was definitely challenging at first, especially in the first couple of months. My first day specifically was the hardest. I got assigned to ship construction, which was intense and a bit of a shock. I went from a training shop straight to the ship, in pouring rain, no less. However, over the summer, I went back to school and everything started clicking. Now it’s less daunting and I feel a lot more settled.

What’s been the proudest moment in your career?
I just turned 19 so probably being one of the youngest—if not the youngest—here in the yard and already being upgraded to a stainless welder.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship in welding?
Make sure you know what kind of work you want to do within your trade and consider location. I live in North Vancouver, and Seaspan is ideal for me. You might not always get your first choice, but it’s worth thinking about those factors.