Bring back Marine Mechanic Schooling on Vancouver Island

Hi, I co own and operate a marine repair shop in Duncan British Columbia, in the Cowichan Valley.

We at the present time employ one journeyman that we have sponsored through VIU & ITA, we also have two third year apprentices also sponsored through VIU & ITA .We pride ourselves with the fact that we do want apprentices as we can then teach them the habits that we look for in a mechanic. We also have one first year auto mechanic who has been with us since March. We were told he would be able to challenge his first year marine but have come to road blocks on this process with the up and coming changes.

Earlier this year I attended a seminar sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce with VIU and ITA . At this time I learnt that over the next 15 years there will be approximately 600,000 baby boomers retiring across Canada. Out of those 600,000 how many are going to be sick of the snow and move west? At least 100,000 Out of those 100,000 how many are going to buy a boat? Say 50,000. Now on Vancouver Island there is already no job pool of Marine Mechanics to pull from and they are now cutting the available courses here.

After speaking to 20 different shops on Vancouver Island and asking the question, "Over the next 3-4 years how many of the following positions will you be hiring for?" These were the results;

Journey man 16 out of 20
Apprentice 15 out of 20
Entry level yard person 12 out of 20

So that is 43 jobs alone. In our shop we have increased our staff this year alone by 3 employees and we are still turning potential customers away. The marine trade is booming on the island and the training is being taken away.

Now in reality a first year person used to be able to go to school in Nanaimo and still live with their family then get a job. The new MMT program states that first you must have an employer that is willing to sponsor you even though you may have no idea of the functions on a marine engine. Then after achieving your hours needed you can attend first year schooling in Vancouver. Who is going to pay for living in Vancouver for 10 months? Even for the 2nd 3rd,and 4th year it is an insane assumption these people can just pick up and not only pay for their living expenses here on the island for themselves and their families, but also in Vancouver. It is clear that the people making these changes have never been in the position of changing careers and knowing the hardship that is brought on by this.

If you live on the mainland you have options open to you, but unfortunately if you are here on the Island, your previously economic options are now being stripped away.