The Western Arctic Marine Training Centre (WAMTC) recently awarded certificates to nine graduates who completed the 16-week bridge watch rating program. Most of the graduates are from the Northwest Territories and are now qualified to work as deckhands on various marine vessels in Canada. The graduates were commended for their hard work, dedication, and teamwork by Cindy Drover-Davidson, WAMTC’s training and project manager.
The graduation ceremony, held at WAMTC’s Hay River campus, saw students like Amanda Andre-Niditchie, Jacob Boucher, and Wynner Joshua Ramirez receive certificates. Three graduates received special honors, including Seth Norn, who received the captain’s award. Premier R.J. Simpson and other politicians attended the ceremony, which was also livestreamed on Facebook. The graduates are now eligible for entry-level deckhand positions with potential salaries around $80,000 per year.
Despite not all graduates securing positions yet, there is high demand for qualified mariners in Canada. Drover-Davidson mentioned a looming labor shortage in the marine industry, with many experienced mariners set to retire in the next five years. The success of previous graduates in finding work reflects the strong job prospects for the new graduates. The next bridge watch rating program will begin in Inuvik, with a diverse group of students signed up, including nine women. The program is open to all Northerners, as well as women and Indigenous people from across Canada, with all costs covered by WAMTC.
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