New boat-building program set to launch at Malaspina

A new aluminum boat building program is set to start at Malaspina University-College on March 17. The five month program will give students the essential skills in a growing industry filled with employment opportunities.

“We’ve built a great program,” said Mark Gall, Chair of the Welding Program at Malaspina. “We’re using the same modern equipment and techniques that boat manufacturers are using, so our students will be able to walk into jobs as soon as they graduate.”

Students will start the program doing some aluminum fabrication projects, building up to fabricating an aluminum boat from scratch – an 18 foot centre console fishing boat. Students will learn aluminum fabrication, layout, rigging, how to work with aluminum materials and metallurgy with aluminum.

“There’s a lot to learn and we’ve made sure this program covers it all,” said Gall. “Manufacturers in this industry have to do their own in-house training because the skill set involved just isn’t out there right now. We’re creating opportunities for students and those employers by giving them that training in our program.”

Bruce Cope, manager of Cope Boats, will be acting as advisor to the program, to make sure everything is current and in touch with industry standards. This five month program starts on March 17. Students are encouraged to contact Mark Gall as quickly as possible to guarantee themselves space in the program.

Malaspina’s trades programs prepare students for entry-level and apprenticeship positions in a variety of skilled occupations. The Faculty of Trades & Applied Technology is committed to providing practical education and training to meet students’ future career and educational goals, while satisfying the employment needs of industry in the community. The programs are delivered in a workplace environment by highly-skilled instructors/trades people, and graduates are very successful in securing employment.

For more information on the Aluminum Boat Building Program, please contact Mark Gall at gallm@viu.ca or 740-6139. For more information on the many other trades programs available at Malaspina University-College, please contact 740-6410.