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We were proud to recently recognize and celebrate a record 51 new Red Seal shipbuilders during a ceremony at Halifax Shipyard. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on examinations and teaching, apprentices at Irving Shipbuilding met the challenges head on to advance their trade.

As the largest single employer of apprentices in Nova Scotia, we are investing in the future of skilled trades. A strong apprenticeship program at Irving Shipbuilding will support the goals of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy and develop skilled, engaged workers who take pride in building ships for Canada

The success of Irving Shipbuilding’s Apprenticeship Program is supported by our partners who are committed to developing apprentices in Nova Scotia. We are pleased to partner with Unifor Marine Workers Federation Local 1, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA), and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) as we continue to build a robust apprenticeship program. We have established best practices in safety and quality to place Canadian shipbuilders among the top in the world. In October 2021, our apprenticeship program won the NSAA Award for excellence, and we continue to seek every opportunity for improvement.

The 51 new Red Seals work across 5 trades: pipefitting, electrical, welding, metal fabrication, and millwright. They were officially presented with their Red Seal certificates by the NSAA, earning the title of Journeyperson.

“We are immensely proud of our apprentices and the determination we see both in those who have achieved the prestigious Red Seal and in those working towards it. To date, 28 new Red Seals have been achieved in 2022. The company is committed to the ongoing development of our apprenticeship program so that each apprentice feels engaged and supported. Safety and quality are the golden threads that run through our apprenticeship program, and we want our apprentices to enjoy their work and to take pride in it. We ask all our new Red Seal recipients to be positive and supportive role models for the apprentices following in their footsteps,” Cathy Young, Senior Manager-Apprenticeship Program.

With more than 30 years of meaningful employment ahead at Irving Shipbuilding, we look forward to seeing these Red Seal recipients take on new challenges in their careers. We are also excited to continue to grow our team, with opportunities for Red Seal and apprentices to join us building ships for Canada.

Congratulations to:

Industrial Electrician

• Aaron Walsh
• Alex Cassidy
• Brett Patterson
• Corey Demone
• Ryan Gilby

Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

• Bryden McCarthy
• Lisa Bugden

Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

• Alexander J Budden
• Andrew White
• Angelica Dunn
• Brad Snider
• Brandon Walsh
• Derek Graham Fraser
• Dylan Francis
• John Richer
• Kristifer Brigley
• Matt Bates
• Matt Dewolf
• Shaun J Morris
• Taylor Keizer
• Zach Thomas

Steamfitter/ Pipefitter

• Aaron Phillips
• Adam Gwinn
• Alex Collins
• Alexander Dixon
• Blair Ross
• Brendan Mackinnon
• Garrett Fougere
• James H MacNeil
• Jason Poole
• Jeremy K Borden
• Jonathon Burke
• Kyle Sparks
• Mark Maclean
• Michael Royles
• Mike B Vanderwijst
• Nathan Macdonell
• Nathan Thokle

Welder

• Ashley Britten
• Brett Fraser
• Catherine Marriott
• Connor Warren
• James Basden
• James Tilley
• Joshua Greencorn
• Kirsten MacNeil
• Macey Rolfe
• Richard Smithson
• Ryan Lake