MI receives federal funds to expand SERT Centre in Stephenville

The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MI) has received funding to expand programming at its Safety and Emergency Response Training Centre (SERT) in Stephenville

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The funding comes in the form of $369,000 from the federal government's Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA, announced the funding Wednesday morning at the Port Harmon Port Authority in Stephenville. The $369,000 is part of the federal government's Community Adjustment Fund, a branch of the Economic Action Plan, which was designed to help create jobs and maintain employment in communities across Canada.

"The funding being made available by the federal government is very much appreciated by all of us at the Marine Institute. It is encouraging to see the federal government supporting Newfoundland and Labrador and the SERT Centre," said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. "This funding enables MI to expand our capacity to serve the western region of our province. It will lead to new equipment and new programs at the SERT training facility, further advancing our marine safety training efforts in western Newfoundland."

The Marine Institute will use the $369,000 to expand its marine emergency duties training at SERT, including the delivery of additional international standard marine emergencies training programs. This includes the addition of a six-day Basic Standard for Training Certification and Watchkeeping course (STCW) '95 VI/I and a four-day Survival Craft course (STCW)'95 V1/2.

The federal funding will enable MI to expand its marine emergencies training at the Stephenville Airport and at Port Harmon. It will also lead to the construction of a two-story steel vessel mock-up, the installation of a specialized davit for launching and recovery of lifeboats and the purchasing of specialized equipment.

"Thanks to ACOA's support, we are now in a better position to continue meeting the needs of our industry partners and our students," Blackwood said. "The SERT Centre is one of Canada's premiere firefighting facilities and possesses the capability and equipment to provide top-level aircraft rescue and firefighting, structural, marine and industrial firefighting training. With the additional funding from ACOA, we can continue to be a leader in training people to work in these challenging industries."

The SERT Centre was launched in 2003 as a satellite campus and is now firmly established with clients from across Canada. It includes a modern training facility and a team of experienced and highly trained instructors. The SERT Centre offers nationally certified programs such as Industrial Safety and Emergency Response Training, Firefighting and Fishing Industry and Small Boat Training.