Overview

Seaspan Shipyards is proud to be Canada’s long-term, strategic shipbuilding partner for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy. As a direct result of this work, while creating jobs and rebuilding our domestic shipbuilding industry, Seaspan Shipyards is delivering on the promise of ships built in Canada, by Canadians.

Vancouver Shipyards, based in North Vancouver, has a very busy and exciting year ahead, as we continue to make progress on the first of two 174m long Joint Support Ships (JSS) for the Royal Canadian Navy – the largest ships ever built in Canada! We are also constructing an Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) for the Canadian Coast Guard and have secured significant contracts to build a second JSS, a Polar Icebreaker, and several Multi-Purpose Vessels. These projects will bring long-term job stability for many years to come.

Now is the best time to be part of Canada’s shipbuilding industry! Join us and be part of the regeneration of the shipbuilding tradition and become a member of a talented, diverse team that is forging a bright future for Canadian shipbuilding at one of the most modern shipyards in North America.

The Trades Development Supervisor at Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) is responsible for the training and career development of journeypersons and apprentices. This position will support our welding team which is currently 230+ welders and growing. The role is responsible for developing and implementing training programs that will ensure production supervisors are supplied with the correct numbers of trade employees with the training and skills required for the areas in the shipyard in which they are assigned. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing and implementing apprentice training programs and scheduling apprentice rotations throughout the shipyard to develop apprentices into well rounded journey persons. To ensure standards are met, they will regularly check on performance of newly on-boarded trades employees, conduct performance management tasks, schedule and facilitate required training either on or offsite and ensure the collective agreement is applied appropriately.

The position reports directly to the Manager, Steel Trade Development and has significant interaction with General Supervisors and Production Managers across the facility.

Duties/Accountabilities:

  • Develops and instructs internal trade specific training courses.
  • Conducts and validates certifications, refresher courses, and/or recertification training for trade specific training courses in specialized/technical disciplines.
  • Develops criteria for evaluating effectiveness of training activities.
  • Works collaboratively with business unit subject matter experts on the development of new materials, instruction methods, and program emphasis to improve program performance.
  • Participates in the recruitment of journeypersons and apprentices through local unions, subcontractors, and training facilities throughout British Columbia and other Canadian provinces.
  • Develops pre-employment, post-employment, and career development training programs for tradespeople and apprentices working in specific areas, or on specific projects within the shipyard.
  • Ensures an adequate mix of tradespeople with required skills and qualifications in specific areas or on specific projects.
  • Participates and represents Vancouver Shipyards in trade shows, recruitment conferences and process improvement conferences to ensure best shipyard practices are being utilized at VSY.
  • Implements and enforces Seaspan’s health, safety, environmental and quality processes on the shop floor.
  • Develops and implements solutions to technical trade issues.
  • Partners with management to ensure trade employees have the skills, equipment, training and certifications required to perform planned work activities.
  • Works with management to eliminate inefficient work practice and fully use their work crew experience and skills to progress the work.
  • Assists in the allocation of qualified trades employees in accordance with schedule and priorities.
  • Follows and enforces the collective agreement and management practices to manage trades employees effectively.
  • Ensures all employees are provided with a work environment that is respectful and harassment free.
  • Works with closely Wellness and Abilities Management as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

  • Red Seal Welder Certification or an International Equivalent required.
  • CWB 47.1 Supervisor Certification and/or minimum CWB Level 1 Inspector required.
  • Minimum 5 years of welding experience and/or supervisor experience in welding in manufacturing, new construction shipbuilding, or the marine industry is required.
  • Proficient knowledge of trade responsibilities specific to welding (structural steel, aluminum, pipe, automated/robotic welding, and automated burning) is necessary
  • Previous experience instructing/teaching Apprentices and Journeypersons in a relevant field or developing course material for Welding or Manufacturing in a Trades School/Industry is an asset.

Skills, Knowledge and Required Competencies:

  • Possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Proficient with MS Office products and web-based applications.
  • Possess excellent management and leadership skills and the ability to motivate and work with and through others to achieve desired results.
  • Appreciates and understands the value of diversity within a team.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiations skills to resolve disagreements quickly and effectively, bring a problem-solving attitude to conflicting approaches and priorities involving others.
  • Experience in the application of behavioural based safety.
  • Demonstrates ability to make mature and timely job site decision.

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment. If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will work with you to support your request.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

  • Dental care
  • Extended health care
  • RRSP match
  • Vision care

Flexible language requirement:

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • North Vancouver, BC V7P 2R1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

  • Supervising: 5 years (required)