Our Stories

From a co-op student working in Ship Repair to an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) working on the River-class destroyer (RCD) program, Vanessa Edmonds has experienced the breadth of the shipbuilding industry firsthand.

Originally from Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Vanessa joined Irving Shipbuilding (ISI) as a co-op student in 2021, before returning as part of our Graduate Development Program as an EIT.

“My co-op experiences played a huge part in preparing for success in the Graduate Development Program. My first co-op term in Ship Repair taught me about the complexity of planning and tracking work for Ship Repair projects and provided fundamental knowledge about the industry. That experience sparked my interest in learning more about the shipbuilding industry which led to working on the RCD program in later co-op terms.”

After receiving her Engineering diploma at Saint Mary’s University, Vanessa completed her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University.

“I became interested in engineering because I was interested in problem solving and hands-on applications. Completing a Mechanical Engineering degree provided a ton of opportunities, both on campus and during co-op terms, to tackle design challenges and work towards practical solutions through prototyping and testing. I am very excited to continue using the skills I developed as a student as I grow in my career.”

The Graduate Development Program offers deep exposure to different areas of Irving Shipbuilding through four six-month rotations across our business to prepare for a career with Irving Shipbuilding. Vanessa is one of 17 ISI employees to have joined ISI through the Graduate Development Program.

“The Graduate Development Program has allowed me to gain a wide range of experience, create connections across the organization, and continue to develop new skills as an EIT. During my first rotation with the Build Readiness team, I really enjoyed opportunities to spend time in production environments gaining hands-on experience with onsite tools and equipment. This work has allowed me to better understand our capabilities as we prepare for full-rate production on the RCD program. I would recommend the Graduate Development Program to prospective students. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to push themselves to try new things and learn more about the work that different teams do at ISI.”

Vanessa’s connection to shipbuilding goes deeper than her first-hand experience as a university student and beyond; shipbuilding runs in the family.

“My grandfather and several other family members have worked in production at the Halifax Shipyard. I am proud to carry on my family history by contributing to the ships being built for Canada at Irving Shipbuilding.”

Applications for the Graduate Development Program are now open. Apply for the Graduate Development Program today!