Graduation ceremony honours sailors from METTP program

The Marine Institute held a graduation ceremony for the Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan (METTP) on Friday, September 17 at the Drill Hall in Pleasantville

Friday, September 17, 2010

Ten sailors earned MI diplomas in marine engineering technology, including four from Newfoundland and Labrador. The provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia were also represented in the graduating class.

“A special congratulation goes to the graduates and families for what they achieved. The sailors have worked determinedly to reach their goals and are very deserving of the diplomas, and the praise, they received,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “It pleases me to know the Marine Institute is contributing to the training of the Canadian Navy and that these sailors are well trained and well-equipped to meet any challenge. They are about to begin exciting careers as marine engineering technicians, careers that will take them around the world and see them make important contributions locally, nationally and internationally.”

The Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan is a joint venture between the Canadian Navy and the Marine Institute. The METTP trains marine engineering technicians in the field of marine engineering through a two-year program at the MI campus on Ridge Road in St. John’s. At the end of the two-year course, graduates proceed to full-time careers with the Canadian Navy and will be stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Esquimalt, B.C.

While serving as members of the Canadian Navy, the sailors will be employed as marine engineering technicians. “It is our pleasure to offer quality programs and instruction to the future leaders of the Canadian Navy,” Blackwood said. “We are also very proud of the fact we can call these men and women Marine Institute alumni. They are wonderful ambassadors of the Canadian Navy, the Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan and the Marine Institute.”

This joint venture between the Marine Institute and the Canadian Navy has been in place since 1992. More than 800 sailors have graduated from MI since the partnership began. “Over the years, many METTP graduates of the Marine Institute have achieved a great deal of success in their field and I have no doubt the most recent graduates will follow in their footsteps,” said Blackwood.

The Marine Institute is the only post-secondary institution in Canada to have such an agreement with the Canadian Navy. Blackwood said this is fitting considering the rich history Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have of serving in the armed forces.

The graduation ceremony on Sept. 17 included remarks from Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute; Commodore John Newton, Reviewing Officer, Director General Naval Personnel; Commander Luciano Carosielli, Commandant, Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (Halifax); Sid Hynes, Honourary Captain (Navy); and Stewart Hughes, Lieutenant-Commander, Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School St. John’s.