News

B.C. shipbuilding education gets a $2.9M boost

Source: CBC News British Columbia, Photo: Stefan Labbe/CBC

Date: June 23, 2016

Seaspan Vancouver has announced a major investment in the province's marine industrial sector in the form of a $2.9 million dollar pledge to support future B.C. shipbuilders.

The investment includes a $2 million donation to UBC's Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Masters programs over the next seven years.

"The investment will support innovative teaching and research," said Seaspan CEO Jonathan Whitworth at a news conference at Vancouver Shipyards, where he announced the creation of two new UBC chairs.

The donation was made under Seaspan's obligation to the federal government's 30-year National Shipbuilding Strategy, 

Supporting trades programs

Whitworth also announced an additional $900,000 donation made by The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, to go toward trades training programs across the province over the next three years. The Foundation's donations include:

$300,000 to BCIT supporting First Nations in trades.
$300,000 to Camosun College supporting women in trades.
$300,000 to the Canadian Welding Association.

In the long-term, Seaspan says the donations will also help satisfy an increased demand for shipbuilders. Seaspan Vancouver is currently constructing two major naval research vessels. Construction of a third vessel is expected to commence at years end.

Read the full article at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-shipbuilding-education-gets-a-2-9m-boost-1.3649482