Thirteen graduate from Marine Institute's METTP program

Naval cadets were awarded MI diplomas in marine engineering technology Friday during a ceremony at the Drill Hall in Pleasantville

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Thirteen naval cadets earned MI diplomas in marine engineering technology, including six cadets from Newfoundland and Labrador. The provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were also represented in the graduating class.

“On behalf of the Marine Institute, I applaud all the graduates who were celebrated Friday. They have worked tirelessly to reach their goals and are very deserving of the diplomas they received,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “It is very gratifying to know the Marine Institute is contributing to the training of the Canadian Navy. The graduating cadets are well trained and well-equipped to meet their next set of challenges head on. They are all destined for great careers as marine engineering technicians, careers that will see them make major impacts both in our country and around the world.”

The Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan is a cooperative venture between the Canadian Navy and the Marine Institute. The METTP is a five-year program, with cadets spending the bulk of the first two years studying to be marine engineering technicians at the Marine Institute campus in St. John’s. Upon graduating from the two-year diploma course, the naval cadets advance to full-time careers within the Canadian Navy, serving for at least the next three years. After graduating from MI, the naval cadets are stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Esquimalt, B.C. and are employed as marine engineering technicians.

“We are proud to deliver quality programs and instruction to the future leaders of the Canadian Navy and we take satisfaction in the fact we can call these men and women Marine Institute alumni,” said Blackwood. This partnership between the Marine Institute and the Canadian Navy has been in place since 1992. More than 800 navy cadets have graduated from MI during this time.

“Past METTP graduates of the Marine Institute have achieved much success in their field and I have full confidence the most recent graduates will follow in their footsteps,” said Blackwood. The Marine Institute is one of only two post-secondary institutions in the country to have such an agreement with the Canadian Navy. Blackwood said this is fitting considering the proud history Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have of serving in the armed forces.

The list of naval cadets who took part in Friday’s graduation ceremony includes Travis Clarke, Hant’s Harbour, NL; Michael Critch, La Scie, NL; Matthew Griffin, St. John’s, NL; Jeffrey Haines, New Maryland, NB; Matthew Kielly, St. John’s, NL; Daniel Kleer, Lumdsen, SK; Jillian Parsons, St. John’s, NL; Michael Tatton, Iroquois, ON; Jason Walker, Toronto, ON; Mark Ward, St. Catherines, ON; Alfred White, Old Shop, NL; Kyle Warren, Halifax, NS; and Brian White, Cape Breton, NS.