Confederation College and Canadian Navy Agreement
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
You get an in demand education, the opportunity to serve your country and be paid to go to school with a guaranteed job waiting for you. Sounds pretty good to me and that is what a student of today cando in the Confederation College Electronics Engineering Technician
program. On March 3rd a signing ceremony to formalize the collaboration between The Canadian Navy took place at Confederation College.
Both the Canadian Navy and Confederation College are committed to the success of youth and the success of our country. This is a partnership that builds on our strengths and not only provides people with an education but also a career and the opportunity to serve Canada,” said Pat Lang, President of Confederation College. “ While they are studying they will be paid over $31,000 a year for living expenses, plus their books and tuition in the first year. In the
second year they are paid $37,000 and integrated with summer employment in the Navy. After that they have to serve for 3 years in the Navy in electronics.”
“ We offer a 2 year technician program as well as three year technologist program. The Navy training mirrors with our program. The students will be granted a technician qualification in the Navy, when they graduate. This program is about high end wireless, technology, computers and even sonar on the ships. They are capable of doing that type of thing,” said Joe Vieira Dean, School of Engineering Technology and Trades, Confederation College. “ There are about 50 to 60 students in the program. The first year is a common and then they specialize in
one of three areas in the second year. Locally Tbaytel is a popular career our students take say outside of the navy.The tuition is set by the provincial government at about $2100 per year plus books. Clearly we are one of the most closely aligned programs in Canada with the
Navy requirements.”
“ This program has been running for the Army and Air Force at Confederation College and is just now starting for the Navy. We have over 20 community colleges across Canada signed up. Right now there are about 6000 in uniform and many more in reserve in the Canadian Navy. We are a pyramidal organization. People come in, do some time and learn about the military. Some leave and others stay their whole career,” said Captain John Gardam who is Director of Maritime Training and Education based in Ottawa. We have a shortage of technically capable people to be our technicians. The student get paid and have no expenses except where to live. When they are full time employed in the Navy they will be paid in the $60,000 range when they graduate.”
I have spent over half of my career in training. As technologies evolve we evolve. I have been in the service for 34 years starting as a reservist at HMSC Chippewa in Winnipeg and then switching over to the regular force 30 years ago. It has been fantastic. I joined for 5 years
until I could figure out what I wanted to do and 34 years later I am still doing it. I have to say I love it. I have been able to raise a family and now that I am about to retire I have a very good pension so for me it has been something I needed. I like to be hands on and part of team work, a big family,” said Captain Gardam. “The north in Canada has become much more visible as the ice cap slowly melts. We are a tool of the government so if the government is interested in the north we are interested in the north.”
