Career Search 2008 reflects positively on Marine Institute

Career Search 2008 indicates Marine Institute graduates are well positioned to begin meaningful careers once they have earned their degrees, diplomas or certificate

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The provincial study released yesterday shows MI students are not only finding positions; but positions that are garnering high wages and the ability to work in the province.

The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MI) welcomes the results of Career Search 2008, a study performed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador aimed at providing accurate and current information regarding the transition of graduates from post-secondary institutions into the labour market.

MI fared very well in the study, with the results indicating Marine Institute graduates are well positioned to begin meaningful careers once they have earned their degrees, diplomas or certificates.

“Career Search 2008 displays a lot of positive news for Marine Institute graduates and current MI students. It shows our students are not only finding positions; but positions that are garnering high wages and the ability to work in the province,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “Together with our industry partners and all levels of government, the Marine Institute has always tried to prepare its students by providing them with the skills and training necessary to achieve success in the oceans and marine industries. The results of Career Search 2008 indicate we are on the right path.”

According to Career Search 2008 statistics, MI graduates have an excellent record of finding employment after graduation. Within a year after completing their degree, diploma or certificate, 84.2 percent of Marine Institute graduates surveyed had secured full-time jobs, a stat that’s up from 69.8 percent in 2002.

Career Search 2008 also points out that just over 84 percent (84.1) of surveyed MI graduates found full-time employment within three months of graduation.

"The oceans sector is rapidly growing and developing, so the demand for skilled and well educated workers continues to grow, as well,” Blackwood said. “The businesses in these industries are looking to the Marine Institute for workers who can not only step in and contribute now, but also help grow their company and this sector in the future.”

The Provincial Government’s report also indicates MI graduates are earning quality wages once they enter the workforce, with 80.7 percent of surveyed Marine Institute alumni collecting high salaries. MI graduates appear to be making good use of the training they received, since 72.4 percent have secured jobs related to their degree, diploma or certificate. This is a big increase from 2002 results, when 57.9 percent indicated they were in positions related to their training.

“The Marine Institute takes a lot of pride in the fact we are helping to grow the oceans sector, but we are also proud we are giving our graduates a very good chance of securing meaningful employment right in their backyards,” said Blackwood. “The Marine Institute is on its way to becoming a world oceans institute, however our number one priority will always be Newfoundland and Labrador. With support from industry and government, we are working to ensure the future development of the oceans and marine industries in our province will be lead by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

Career Search 2008 is a comprehensive, provincial government funded report on labour market outcomes for students who graduated from private and public post-secondary institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2006. Data was collected between May, 2008 and September, 2008 via telephone surveys and mail-out forms. The intention of the report is to provide prospective students, policy makers, administrators and career counsellors with information on graduate outcomes of post-secondary programs. The latest group of Marine Institute grads will be unveiled Friday, June 19 during the 2009 MI graduation ceremonies. The festivities start at 2 p.m. in the Marine Institute gymnasium.