Rising tides
The boatbuilding industry is thriving in Nova Scotia
The challenge of making something from nothing, working with your hands, and learning different trades along the way makes the thriving boatbuilding industry exciting and unique.
“It’s one of the few trades where you get to dip your hand in pretty much every trade,” says certified Boat Builder Nathanial Stabenow. “You’re not only forming a hull but also getting to do finish, systems, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. If you’re lucky enough, you might even be able to go out in the water and play.”
Stabenow started in the industry 13 years ago when he was offered an apprenticeship opportunity to help restore an old sailing vessel in Lunenburg.
“When I started, I had terrific mentors. I was very lucky to learn about almost every type of boat, from traditional wood to fibreglass mix. Now, I’m on to working on metal boats. It was great to have that on-the-job training,” he says.
Stabenow highly recommends an apprenticeship in boatbuilding, especially for younger people and newcomers to the province. The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association (NSBA) partners with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency to offer apprenticeships in boatbuilding and marine service technician work. No prior experience is required, and apprentices get paid while they learn on the job.
Individuals interested in an apprenticeship need to be employed full-time by a boatbuilding facility to qualify. Once accepted, apprentices are assigned a mentor journeyperson who helps them gain certification. This process can take two to five years, depending on the situation.
Orane Boothe started in the industry three years ago after moving to Nova Scotia from
Jamaica.
“Being a newcomer to the province, I’ve found that the boatbuilding industry is a very exciting environment,” he says. “It’s a place where you can grow and achieve a lot of things.”
Boothe started his career with no prior knowledge of the trade. He was a police officer in Jamaica for 16 years before landing in Yarmouth and starting his job at Yarmouth Boatworks.
“I got interested in boatbuilding because I saw how they make a boat, shape it, turn it into something beautiful,” says Boothe. “I was just amazed.”
“People from different ports are skilled in different operations, so bringing in and diversifying employee groups allows the industry to grow,” says Rachelle Samson, HR manager with Samson Enterprises Ltd.
The boatbuilding industry has thrived the last few years with a high demand for lobster and fishing boats as well as custom boats. There have also been
government contracts for building, maintaining, and replacing vessels.
“The history of boat building shows its stability,” says Samson. “Technology puts a lot of industries at risk, but in the boatbuilding industry, technology allows it to evolve.”
In addition to opportunities for growth, the sense of fulfillment is a
main draw for the industry.
“Boatbuilding is a challenging, fun job that allows me always to be learning,” says Boothe. “It can be very satisfying to see a fishing vessel out on the water and think, ‘I worked on that.’”