Ships start at NSCC

NSCC's metal fabrication program grows with new shipbuilding contract

Welding student Jarrett Farrell: "It's the first time in my life seeing the possibility of working in Nova Scotia."

Jim Muzzerall is going to have his hands full.

He's expecting student enrolment in the metal fabrication program to soar at the Nova Scotia Community College' s 1,000-student Akerley Campus in the next few years .

Halifax just won the right to negotiate  an estimated $25-billion contract with the federal government to build naval ships - the largest deal to come out of Ottawa's national shipbuilding strategy.

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NSCC's Jim Muzzeral: "The need for those skilled people is going to be there."

Muzzeral, NSCC's trade and technology academic chair, says the province and private companies invested $3 million towards expanding the Akerley campus program over the last year and a half.

Halifax-based Irving Shipbuilding Inc. - the owner of the  Halifax Shipyard and the winner of the bid to build 21 Canadian military ships over the next 20 years - is one of the donors.

This means plenty of job opportunities for Muzzeral's students.

"There's just so many jobs coming in," says Muzzeral. "The need for those skilled people is going to be there."

NSCC works closely with the industry

Irving has a long-standing relationship with NSCC. It's been sending its apprentices to the school for years and is on the school's program advisory committee.

This means Muzzeral knows exactly what the industry wants.

"They need more metal fabricators and there's not enough in Nova Scotia," he says.

For Irving President Steve Durrell, NSCC's program expanded at a good time.

"[It's] a prime example of the province...and NSCC responding to a growing labour force need," he said in a news release.

With Irving's victory, the company says Nova Scotia could see 11,500 new jobs for people working directly and indirectly in shipbuilding.

A chance for job security

Jarrett Farrell wants one of these jobs.

The 30-year-old first-year welding student says he's lucky he snatched one of only 40 seats available in Akerley's welding and metal fabrication program.

Both classes are full this year.

Irving's contract represents big opportunities for him.

"It's the first time in my life seeing the possibility of working in Nova Scotia," he says.

He was working for several years out west at a lumber yard but found it hard to be away from Halifax where he was born.

"With the contract I can actually see myself working and retiring and still staying here," he says.

Cliff Levy, another Akerley welding student agrees.

The18-year-old is excited about the implications of the shipbuilding jobs for his future.

"I'd be able to have one job and be close to home," he says. "I'd be able to retire at home."

Muzzerall says shipbuilding is a natural fit for Halifax.

The city is home to Canada's East Coast naval base, so building military vessels here makes sense. Nova Scotians have been building ships since the 1800s.

"Shipbuilding is part of what Nova Scotia does," says Muzzerall.  "We have the skill to do this."

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