Weapons Engineering Technicians graduation

The Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (CFNES) Detachment St. John’s and the Marine Institute honoured 33 new weapons engineering technicians during a graduation ceremony on Friday, January 10

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Naval Combat Systems Technician Training Plan (NCSTTP) graduation ceremony took place at the Canadian Forces Station St. John’s Drill Hall in Pleasantville.

Captain Angus Topshee, commander of Canadian Forces Base Halifax, presided over the ceremony. He was joined by Commander David Benoit, Commandant Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School; Lieutenant-Commander Alan Brown, CFNES Detachment St. John's Commander; and Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute).

The graduates earned Marine Institute diplomas in electro-mechanical engineering and will be moving to either Halifax, NS or Esquimalt, BC for further naval training prior to being assigned to naval ships later this year. During the ceremony, the graduating class donated the proceeds of their fundraising, $3,340, for the second annual CFNES Polar Bear Swim to the Children's Wish Foundation.

“The Marine Institute is proud to educate and graduate innovative men and women whose knowledge and dedication energize our oceans sector,” said Blackwood. “We are confident that their education has provided them exceptional skills to excel in their positions on board one of the best fleets in the world.”

The Naval Combat Systems Technician Training Plan is a joint venture between the Royal Canadian Navy and the Marine Institute. The two-year NCSTTP program trains naval recruits to operate and maintain the wide range of shipboard electronic and combat equipment found on Canada's Navy ships.

This joint venture between the Marine Institute and the Royal Canadian Navy has been in place since 1992. The Marine Institute is the only post-secondary institution in Canada to have such an agreement with the Canadian Navy. More than 900 sailors have graduated from MI since the partnership began.

Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute) - speech to NCSTTP graduates (PDF)