NSCC grappling with increased demand for shipbuilding trades

Enthusiasm in the federal shipbuilding project is leading to waiting lists of 18 to 24 months for welding and pipe trade education at NSCC campuses across the province.

"The buzz around this stuff is crazy. Things are really starting," said Rosalind Penfound, NSCC's vice-president of academics.

She says college officials are working closely with Irving Shipbuilding to phase in the workers they need because the demand for workers in different trades changes as the project is carried out.

"For example, they'll need people doing welding work earlier than they'll need electrical technicians, just in terms of the sequencing of how the shipbuilding goes," said Penfound.

She says the shipyard won't be employing people strictly new to the trade.

NSCC has also set up a six-week course at Irving's request for existing, returning and new employees that Penfound calls 'Shipbuilding 101.'  Over the next year, 300 people will go through it.

The first steel is scheduled to be cut this September on the first of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships.