Seaspan Invests in Skills Training for Indigenous Youth in Marine Industry

Seaspan has recently invested $2.5 million in creating new skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for Indigenous People in Greater Vancouver. This five-year funding program is a continuation of Seaspan’s partnership with the non-profit Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS). The ACCESS program aims to prepare Indigenous community members for careers in shipbuilding by offering industry-recognized skills training through local colleges like BCIT, as well as comprehensive support services. These services include cultural exploration, personalized one-on-one support, and mentoring to ensure successful completion of the training.

Students participating in the program will receive trades training support in areas such as metal fabrication, welding, bridge watch, and other shipbuilding trades. Additionally, ACCESS will be conducting “sampler” programs with five lower mainland school districts to introduce students to the opportunities available in the marine industry. To further support students, $22,500 per year will be donated to the Urban Spirit Foundation (USF) for funding to assist students in completing their training, with an additional $2,500 per year in awards granted to top-performing students in marine-related training programs.

Since 2016, Seaspan has contributed over $6.8 million to ACCESS to support skills training programs as part of Seaspan’s commitment under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, emphasized the importance of creating economic opportunities for Indigenous youth to build an inclusive society based on reconciliation. The partnership between Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services and Seaspan aims to provide Indigenous students with the training and apprenticeship opportunities needed to pursue careers in the growing marine industry.

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