Our Stories

Sixteen Royal Canadian Sea Cadets from across Canada are recipients of a total of $20,000 in university scholarships from Irving Shipbuilding in partnership with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation (RCSCEF). The scholarships are intended encourage Canada’s Sea Cadets to explore careers in marine industry. Irving Shipbuilding has committed $100,000 in Sea Cadet scholarships through this partnership.

The awards focus on a wide variety of marine and shipbuilding careers, including naval architecture, industrial engineering, and key trades.

“The Sea Cadet Program has taught me a lot, and I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't been involved in it. The Irving Shipbuilding scholarship for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation has sincerely humbled and honoured me. The determination, hard effort, and notably a terrific look into the marine based business that I gained as a sea cadet for six years, has substantially influenced my post-secondary education. This scholarship has helped me significantly with my tuition and fees as a first-year Nautical Science student at Marine Institute in St. John's, Newfoundland. I strongly recommend anyone interested in applying for this scholarship to do so.” – CPO2 Hayley North

“I appreciate the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation for recognizing my achievements and supporting my continued studies in engineering at the University of British Columbia. I have been involved in the UBC Steel Bridge engineering design team throughout my first year, and recently had the opportunity to attend the Canadian National Steel Bridge Competition where we had a podium finish of 2nd place overall! The scholarship has encouraged me to continue to put forth my best effort and be engaged in the UBC community - I look forward to making more memories in the years to come.” Coco Ruan

“The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation Scholarship has made a significant difference in the funding of my post-secondary education. I am currently in the Nautical Science program at Fisheries and Marine Institute of Newfoundland, and without the help of this scholarship I would be at a substantial disadvantage in regard to tuition and accommodation costs. Thank you again to Irving Shipbuilding and the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation for all your support.” - Grace Lydon

"I am beyond proud and grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship. It will allow me to purchase the materials I need to succeed in my studies. Additionally, it will lighten the burden of my tuition. The cadet program helped me succeed in junior high and high school; by teaching me communication, dedication, and to have confidence in my abilities. Now even in university, I see the cadet program supporting me." - Katherine Eason

NAME	HOMETOWN	UNIVERSITY	PROGRAM
Alissa Chen	Richmond, BC	University of British Columbia	Bachelor of Applied Science program
Anthony Burton
Blake Bouchard	Shearwater, NS	Saint Francis Xavier University	Bachelor of Science
Bradley Baker	Cobourg, ON	The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland	Nautical Science
Dennis Gutu	Repentigny, QC	Institut Maritime du Quebec
Grace Lydon	Medicine Hat, AB	Marine Institute	Nautical Sci (Merchant Marine)
Grace Smith	Bedeque, PE	Marine Institute	Ocean Mapping
Hayley North	Red Head Cove, NL	Marine Institute	Nautical Sci (Merchant Marine)
Hua Jia (Coco) Ruan	Coquitlam, BC	University of British Columbia	Engineering
Jonathan Gershkovich	Hamilton, ON	McMaster University	Engineering
Katherine Eason	Conception Bay South, NL	Marine Institute	Nautical Sci (Merchant Marine)
Olivia Drake	Burin, NL	Marine Institute	Nautical Sci (Merchant Marine)
Samantha Haire	Harbour Grace, NL	Thompson Rivers University
Sarah Paulen	Ottawa, ON	Queen’s University	Bachelor of Science
Spencer Chatman	Lethbridge, NL	Memorial University	Bachelor of Science
Tyler Simms	Bay Roberts, NL	Marine Institute	Nautical Sci (Merchant Marine)

Irving Shipbuilding’s support to the RCSCEF is part of the Value Proposition commitment under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. To date, Irving Shipbuilding has committed more than $24 million in Value Proposition investments toward creating a sustainable marine industry across Canada. One focus area of the Value Proposition is to support workforce development and the attraction of people into the marine industry in Canada.