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Sea Cadets Receive Assistance for Future Careers at Sea
27 Oct 2008 - Two sea cadets from British Columbia have each received $2000.00 scholarships to assist with their studies in marine related fields.
(l-r: David Hood, Officer Cadet Jamie Bone and Bob McIlwaine) |
Cadet Petty Officer First Class Jamie Bone, still an active member of 201 RCSCC Grilse, now wears a second uniform Monday to Friday as an Officer Cadet in the British Columbia Institute of Technology Nautical Sciences Program. This program trains Bridge Watchkeepers for global merchant fleets and cruise lines. The scholarship was presented at Lonsdale Quay (near the Marine Campus of BCIT) by: British Columbia Mainland Division President, David Hood, (a former Master and active SuperCargo for Sanko Steamship Company); Division Vice-President - Maritime Affairs, Allen Domaas (retired Director of the Fraser River Port Authority) and Naval Officers Association of British Columbia President Commander (Retired) Bob McIlwaine (owner of Cantrawl Nets Ltd).
The group enjoyed lunch together, providing Jamie the opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of his chosen career from seasoned sailors. |
Jamie was very happy to receive the scholarship, noting that "Attending full time classes, studying, and commuting to North Vancouver, as well as serving a 7th and final year with 201 Grilse Sea Cadets will make for a challenging, exciting and exceptionally busy year ahead... your award now means necessary part-time job hours have been reduced by half and I will not be required to sacrifice rewarding volunteer pursuits (and sleep) to accumulate tuition. It was a pleasure to meet [David Hood], Allen Domaas, and Bob Mcllwaine at the lunch on Friday and I really enjoyed hearing more about shipping and future careers in the field." Jamie also stated that he was "extremely pleased and honoured to have been selected as a recipient of a Maritime Affairs Scholarship for 2008" and thanked all members of the Navy League for their support.
Former Cadet Petty Officer Tarpan Roy, from 307 RCSCC Mariner, is presently enrolled in his first year of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria. Upon graduation he hopes to work within Canada's marine sector. His scholarship was presented aboard a brand new Orca Class Training Vessel at the Victoria Shipyards by: the Navy League's National President, Vice-Admiral (Retired) Gary Garnett; President of the Naval Officers Association of Vancouver Island, Rear-Admiral (Retired) Ken Summers; and, Malcolm Barker, Vice-President and General Manager of the Shipyard.
Again, the presentation provided an opportunity for Tarpan to learn about the great opportunities in Ship Building and Ship Repair within Canada. There could be no better place to present the award than from the bridge of PCT (Patrol Craft Training) 62 MOOSE . The newest ship in the Navy, this Orca Class Vessel was built in the Victoria Shipyard by Washington Marine Group. |
(l-r: Ken Summers, Tarpan Roy, Gary Garnett and Malcolm Barker) |
Now is an opportune time to consider a career within Canada's marine sector. The retirement of Baby Boomers and a decline in skilled trades, at a time when maritime trade continues to grow by 10-12% per year, is driving up salaries and providing good jobs in uncertain times. Shipbuilding is already the second highest paid industrial sector (next to automotive) and watchkeepers at sea can command $140,000 a year or more. "The Marine sector will provide tremendous economic opportunity for Canada" notes Gary Garnett, "but this will depend on our ability to fill vacancies in the skilled trades, engineering and science professions which are the foundation of the sector. Canada's ocean territory is almost as big as its land mass. If we learn to use its resources in a responsible and sustainable way, there is virtually no limit to the bounty it can provide current and future generations of Canadians."
The Maritime Affairs Scholarship is funded through the Maritime Affairs Alliance, a group of individuals and corporations which sponsor the public education activities of The Navy League of Canada. We are particularly proud to note the support of the Naval Officers Association of Canada, which has been the largest contributor to the scholarship program, having donated $11,500 over the past 5 years. In addition to this national award, the various branches of the Naval Officers Association remain strong supporters of local cadet activities. Each year they provide thousands of dollars for local scholarships and to training programs for Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Navy League Cadets.
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Cadets in Maritime Careers
Gary Garnett, David Hood, Allen Domaas, and Bob McIlwaine are representative of the countless number of former cadets that enjoy successful careers in the marine sector.
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