Students Start Marine Cadet Summer Program

Madam President, the Government is committed to improving the livelihood and career opportunities for young Bermudians and we will continue to work towards providing opportunities for our young people to acquire world-class skills to prepare them to participate in the global market.

Senate Colleagues will recall the Department of Workforce Development’s partnership with Holland College, particularly The Marine Training Centre.

This facility “has been providing Transport Canada-approved training for more than three decades. The centre has earned an international reputation for its exceptional quality of instruction, excellent facilities and convenient location.

In addition to the full range of certification from Deckhand to Master Mariner, the centre offers a number of specialized courses”.

The Department has partnered with Holland College to continue to provide education and training opportunities for Bermudians.

Madam President, this summer Holland College has accepted two young Bermudian men in their Marine Cadet Summer Program that runs from July 2 – September 23, 2013.

Mr. Allafia Butterfield and Mr. Raemar O’Brien departed Bermuda last week to participate in the 12-week program.

Mr. Butterfield aspires to become a Marine Pilot. The 22 year old has completed a navigation course at the Bermuda College and spent part of his summer volunteering at the Department of Marine and Ports working on board the new Millennium Ferry, to gain valuable work experience.

In 2011, Mr. Butterfield sailed on board the Spirit of Bermuda to the Grand Turks and the Dominican Republic.

He attended Cedarbridge Academy and is a graduate of The Glenholme School in Connecticut, USA.

Mr. Raemar O’Brien is 23 years of age and is a graduate of The Berkeley Institute. He too aspires to become a Pilot. He has a love of the sea and was inspired to join the programme following the loss of his brother.

Madam President, the five-month program at Holland College will prepare these young men for entry-level positions as bridge watch and engine room ratings on commercial vessels.

Following their studies at the College they will be required to complete two months at sea on a Bermuda Registered Ship. Marine and Ports, under the guidance of the Deputy Warden, Mr. Mario Thompson and various local shipping agencies, has partnered with the Department of Workforce Development to ensure that the required sea service and on-the-job training is conducted and documented in accordance with the certification process.

Further Madam President, students in this program will become well-versed in safe working procedures, including how to identify potential hazards and acquire the skills and knowledge to deal with those kinds of incidents appropriately.

The courses will include basic safety training, survival craft training, marine advanced first aid and radio operator training.

Graduates of the program will receive an internationally recognized training certificate from Transport Canada to allow them to qualify for entry level employment with merchant ships world-wide.

They will also receive the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping) International Award which is recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

This qualification sets out standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. Completion of the required sea hours is a prerequisite for obtaining this award.

Madam President, another student Mr. Vernon Harrison, former Head Boy at Cedarbridge Academy is already further along the path to achieving his certification. Mr. Harrison’s journey also began on the Spirit of Bermuda.

Upon completion of his studies at Holland College he spent 4 months on board the Bermuda Islander and then began the Officer Cadet Training Program at Warsach Maritime Academy in the UK. The Warsach Maritime programme combines classroom instruction at the Academy with sea time on board Merchant Vessels.

With the assistance of Mrs. Georgina Sousa of Frontline Shipping, Mr. Harrison is obtaining his sea time requirements. The company is working with the Department to secure berths for him aboard local and international vessels.

During his second phase of training, Vernon was assigned to the SFL Europa a freighter ship. He embarked in Lisbon Portugal and travelled to Algeciras, Spain – the Straits of Gibraltar – Lobito, Angola passing by the Canal Islands and Tangier-Med Morocco along the way.

His third phase was spent in the classroom and he has successfully obtained his Level 3 Diploma in Nautical Science. As a part of phase four, Mr. Harrison is currently participating in a 6 month training program on board the Golar Grand, a Natural Gas Carrier.

He boarded in February in Point Fortin, Trinidad. He travelled to the South Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Magellan to Quintero, Chile.

This voyage will be repeated several times over the 6 month period and will include Bahia Blanca, Argentina. We wish him well in his endeavours to become a Ship’s Captain.

Madam President, these are unique opportunities for these young men and for Bermuda. We wish all of these young people great success as they seek to acquire the skills required to take advantage of unique career opportunities.

Madam President, marine training is only one of the successful programs that Department of Workforce Development continues to deliver for the people of Bermuda.

Thank you Madam President.

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