July 12, 2024
As part of Seaspan’s overall Indigenous strategy, Seaspan Shipyards and the MST Education and Training Society announced the establishment of a three-year education and training program for Indigenous youth interested in pursuing careers in the Canadian marine industry. The three-year program is valued at $3M with two option years valued each at $1M.
The Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh (MST) have partnered to work together to collaboratively deliver work force skill development programs targeted to First Nations, and ensure community members will benefit from jobs and economic activity within their traditional territories.
The Program’s initiatives will be delivered in collaboration with the education and training centers that currently exist within the MST communities. Enrolment is also open to Indigenous students outside of the MST communities. Providing training programs within the communities is critically important to the wellbeing of First Nation students—incorporating the language and culture of the communities and promoting and building on the existing learning framework of each community, provides the greatest opportunities for success. The Program comprises:
- Career Exploration and Career Path Mapping Program – develop and present training modules that prepare working-age youth, unemployed and underemployed for entry into the marine industry.
- Trades Apprentice Course – coordinate trades apprentice courses through B.C.-accredited training institutions.
- Visual Promotion Media – develop videos to promote marine industry careers.
- Essential Skills Training – deliver training to provide foundational occupational skills to better position students as they prepare for trades courses.
- Certificate Programs – coordinate enrolment in industry-recognized certificate programs to provide entry level skills for new workers. These certificate programs include first aid, working with hazardous materials, enclosed spaces, etc.).
- Introduction to Trades and Shipbuilding Industry Training Programs – facilitate enrolment to an established program to assist participants in the development of common core skills to guide career paths in apprenticeship programs.
This investment with the MST Education and Training Society is part of Seaspan’s Value Proposition commitment under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Quotes:
Musqueam Indian Band
“Successful paths for our youth and our relationship with the waters have forever been a constant for the Musqueam people. We strive to provide innovative training that is comprised of Western ideals in collaboration with our traditional knowledge & values. Musqueam is very excited about this MST partnership with Seaspan that will inevitably open doors for our youth to gain not jobs, not employment, but careers in the marine industry.”
Chief yəχʷyaχʷələq Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam
Squamish Nation
“The Marine Industry has long been part of the economic backbone of our territory, and this new education and training program will offer our young people the opportunity to pursue skilled careers in this expanding industry. We are grateful to now be a part of this growing initiative and look forward to our continued collaboration in creating more opportunities for our Nation’s youth.”
Sxwixwtn, Wilson Williams, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Spokesperson and Council Member
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
“We are thrilled to know this education and training program offered by Seaspan Shipyards and the MST Education and Training Society will be available for Tsleil-Waututh Nation youth with an interest in pursuing careers in the marine industry. Investing in our next generations and providing them with capacity building and skills training is a priority for our Nation.”
Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
“Investments in skills development within the marine industry, especially for Indigenous youth, highlight the economic significance of our oceans. Collaborations like Seaspan Shipyards’ partnership with the MST Education and Training Society not only equip individuals with maritime skills but also boost local economies. This initiative strengthens both the workforce and our maritime sector, securing the prosperity of an industry that is pivotal to Canada’s economy.”
Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada
“At Seaspan, we are continuously working toward creating meaningful partnerships with local Indigenous communities to drive reconciliation forward. The creation of the MST Education and Training Program is an extension of our ongoing relationships and collaboration with the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. We are thrilled to launch this impactful program that connects Indigenous youth with exciting marine career opportunities. It’s a major achievement, and we are honoured to play a role in it.”
John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards
About Seaspan Shipyards
Seaspan, a division of Seaspan ULC, is a leader in Canada’s ship design, engineering, building and ship repair industry. With modern facilities and a dedicated workforce of approximately 3,900 in North Vancouver and Victoria, the company has proven itself to be a trusted and strategic partner on a range of complex projects for both government and the private sector.
Seaspan Shipyards is proud to deliver Canada’s non-combat program of work under the NSS. The company is building state-of-the-art ships in Canada for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. Through its NSS-related work, Seaspan Shipyards is creating thousands of jobs, generating significant economic benefits, and rebuilding Canada’s shipbuilding and marine industries.
About the Musqueam Indian Band
The Musqueam people are descendants of the Coast Salish. Our traditional territory occupies what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas and our people moved throughout our traditional territory using the resources the land provided for fishing, hunting, trapping, and gathering, to maintain their livelihood. Today, the Musqueam people still use these resources for economical and traditional purposes.
Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, our community maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs. Our community historians and educators teach and pass on our history to our people, which has always been the way of our people, to keep our culture and traditions strong.
The Musqueam Indian Band have a proven track record of successful economic development projects throughout our traditional lands. In 2012, the Musqueam Capital Corporation was established to manage Musqueam business activities including development or redevelopment properties, new businesses and managing a number of successful developments. Developments include a mixed-use marina, an ongoing property development in the University Endowment Lands, as well as established housing developments and two golf courses.
About the Squamish Nation
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is a unity of the Squamish Peoples with an uplifting culture, rich history, and exciting future. The Nation is an innovative Indigenous government that uses its resources to provide, guide, and protect the Squamish territory and Squamish People. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish People) continue to reside in the area now described as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The largest proportion of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Members live in several urban reserve communities in the present-day cities of Vancouver, North and West Vancouver and the municipality of Squamish, BC. Over 47 per cent of the nearly 4,100 Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Members live on-reserve, and membership is determined by guidelines set out in the Squamish Nation Membership Code. The Nation has never ceded or surrendered title to its lands, rights to its resources or the power to make decisions within its territory.
About səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation):
səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) are known as People of the Inlet, whose territory centres around Burrard Inlet in the Greater Vancouver region. As a Coast Salish Nation, səlilwətaɬ is proud of our rich history and cultural heritage. For generations, Tsleil-Waututh people have thrived in our traditional territory, sustained by its abundance of food, forests, and water. Today, Tsleil-Waututh Nation remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a sacred trust to care for and restore our traditional territory to its former state. Today, Tsleil-Waututh is a vibrant community has achieved a remarkable track record of success. We review all proposals in our territory to ensure they support sustainability and deliver community benefits. We have discovered archaeological sites on this land where our Ancestors gathered and ate, some thousands of years old. We run successful businesses to generate own source revenues, build capacity for economic growth, and create employment opportunities for our people. We deliver community and health & wellness programs for our youth, families, and Elders and our language program is helping to revitalize our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language.