NUNAVUT
The Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium prides itself on its two-week pre-training course.

Jonathan Nagmalik, Tutuieya Qimirpik, Kristian Brown, Ken Ishmael, Joey Akpalialuk, Terry Pijamini, Johnny Nutarariaq, Tyren Sammurtok, Owen Mahoney, Harry Ell, Jason Ikeperiar and Paul Kuananak take survival training in Frobisher Bay last fall. - photo courtesy Randy Pittman

Consortium training is offered in Iqaluit and is all-expenses paid, including travel, accommodations, meals and tuition. Students receive a training allowance.

The two weeks of pre-training are essential to determining if a student is cut out for more intensive training and life on the water. This ensures that anyone who is interested understands the level of commitment.

"It's an introduction to the industry, ranging from fishing to cargo ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers," said student Owen Mahoney.

Mahoney, 23 and originally of Iqaluit, returned to Nunavut from Oshawa.

"I moved away at 16 to further my education down south, in Ottawa. I finished high school there and wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I upgraded some math and English courses. I was working in Oshawa, roofing. And I'm terrified of heights. Then they phoned me up and said there was a seat available, and that they could fly me up."

He hasn't looked back.

"I'm definitely pleased with my decision."

The consortium is the provider of all marine training for Inuit beneficiaries across Nunavut, including training in offshore and inshore fisheries, processing plants and cargo vessels. Created in 2005, the organization stepped up activities in 2008, when Elizabeth Cayen was chosen as executive director. In the past year alone, the consortium has offered 35 courses to 300 students with a completion rate of 91 per cent. From September to December last year, 10 instructors were offering 14 different programs.

Randy Pittman is the co-ordinating instructor.

"The two-week overview is essential. It's like an interview, a pre-screening. There are over 30 to 40 applicants for each 12-seat pre-training course," said Pittman.

Pittman doesn't tolerate slackers, for lack of a better word. And that's because the sea doesn't tolerate them. In one recent pre-training course, two students were unceremoniously cut from the course. The demands are made very clear and self-discipline is top of the list.

"He (Pittman) is definitely going to be strict with alcohol and drugs and stuff like that," said Mahoney. "That's where most people kind of go down. It's more discipline on yourself, because you're in a program for two weeks and you're almost getting a reference from those teachers to move on to the next stage. You have to be very conscious about what you do. What they always say is, 'There's no tolerance for alcohol or anything like that on ships, so there's no tolerance for it in these two weeks.' "

Ken Ishmael, 24, is originally from Pangnirtung and has been living and working in Iqaluit for the past four years. He has been working at J&N Moving since completing high school.

"I was looking for more opportunity," said Ishmael.

He, like Mahoney, heard about the consortium's training from a friend who already works on a boat.

"The last time I talked to him he was doing bridge watch rating," said Ishmael.

The opportunity to constantly train in school and work on ships in-between training modules is another plus for the students.

"You have unlimited options," said Mahoney. "You can start from a factory position to becoming a captain or a chief engineer. There are a lot of positions on a ship that you can train for."

Both had two more weeks of training in the five-week course they were taking in late fall of 2014.

"We'll be getting our passports because they do all that for you. They give you applications for your passport, your seaman's book. They give you all the papers you need to get on the boat. You have your passport, your seaman's ticket, your first aid. They get you set to go on a boat by the time this five weeks is up," said Mahoney.

He prefers the division of training into modules, with the opportunity to work as soon as possible, as opposed to a years-long program.

"Sometimes most people don't get jobs right out of college," Mahoney said.

Mosessee Unahah, 32, of Iqaluit, first took his pre-training in 2011. He's since taken pre-sea, a cargo course, bridge watch training, watch keeping mate, and a course related to quality control on products and a deck hand course.

He's been out on ships since 2012 and he continues to train.

"I do about four trips a year," said Unahah. "It's just a great opportunity to work for fisheries. You get to travel and meet new people. It started exciting me back in 2010. I decided to try it and switch from my career in broadcasting."

It has turned out to be everything he wanted it to be and, in fact, more than he expected. He's not certain how far he'll go or what position he ultimately wants.

"I'm still exploring. I don't like keeping one job too long, but I could definitely go long term (in this industry.) As a broadcaster, I was always doing the same thing. Shoot and edit, that's about it."

Unahah has a girlfriend and two children and he says it is hard to figure out a work/family balance.

"You have to be out there, but you have to be here, too. But it's doable when you communicate often."

Though the certification is internationally recognized, Unahah doesn't really see himself heading too far from home. But the option is there.

"Step by step," he said.

Pittman relates to his students. His home community in Newfoundland has a population of 17. When you include two neighbouring communities, the population is bumped to 250.

He lives in Nunavut nine months of the year running the consortium's programs.

"Nunavut has 25 communities and they're all on the water. Ninety per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador communities are on the water. I actually see a lot of similarities here.

"It's nothing strange in a small community in Newfoundland for a group of men to be working away on ships as a means of living.

"I see that starting to happen up here, now."

Pittman emphasizes that the marine life is a great opportunity to make a living.

"I do have a passion for trying to help these guys make a career for themselves. I lived that career and I know that it can be a good career, you can provide for your family and actually have a little bit of money left over."

Cayen explains that life-skills training is included. It can be overwhelming to make good money and it's natural to blow it. But, she says, Pittman talks about that, too - how to manage money and how to consider where the money should be spent.

"(The program) is all life skills," she says. "It has to do with how you live, not just on the boat but how you live in life."

Cayen says Pittman is one of the reasons the consortium's training program is successful.

"He is so committed. You don't find many like Randy around who has no problem telling them to eff off if they need to be told that. He tells it like it is.

"He is in their face. There's accountability. If you screw up at the res on the weekend, don't think you won't be on the next plane home," Cayen said.

"We never kick anybody out of the class. They resign ... by their behaviour. If you don't follow the rules on a boat, it could mean somebody dies."

Mahoney says it's a good program.

"It's a good opportunity for Inuit. I try to encourage people to take the program. It's free to them. You just have to attend class and be good. It's basically given to us. It's a

huge opportunity."

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