The new Marine Training Centre in Hay River has completed offering its first class.
That was a two-week small vessel operator proficiency class, which began on May 14.
The class is designed for individuals who use their small boats for commercial purposes.
Thirteen participants – men and women – learned about small domestic vessel basic safety, marine basic First Aid, marine radio operation and more.
All 13 completed the class.
The Marine Training Centre is operated by Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium (NFMTC), which is based in Iqaluit.
In written comments to The Hub, Elisabeth Cayen, the executive director of NFMTC, said the goal of the training is to produce a marine labour force that is reflective of its location, including Indigenous persons, long-time Northerners, and both men and women.
Following completion of its first class, the Marine Training Centre began a second two-week small vessel operator proficiency class on the Hay River Reserve in conjunction with K'atlodeeche First Nation.
Fourteen students are taking that class.
Earlier this year, the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium expanded to the NWT with funding received under the Oceans Protection Plan of Transport Canada.
Cayen said it hopes to provide training to fishers; individuals using their boats commercially; those operating tugs, boats and barges up and down the Mackenzie River; and hopefully for a new fish plant.
In February, the federal government announced $12.6 million over three years to NFMTC to deliver marine training in the North to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups in the marine labour force, such as women, Indigenous peoples and Northerners.
The initiative, in partnership with the GNWT, helped establish the marine training facility in Hay River.
"NFMTC has always been about partnerships – that is part of our success," said Cayen.
The funding will also allow expansion of NFMTC's current marine training programs in Nunavut and Nunavik.
The Hay River training site has been set up in a section of the old headquarters building of the defunct Northern Transportation Company Ltd. The territorial government bought the assets of that company in December of 2016 – including the old headquarters building.
The federal funding for the training initiative in the NWT and Nunavut will help with the development of curriculum and the purchase of new specialized marine training equipment so Northerners will not have to travel south for such training.