Marine Services Technology and Motorcycle & Marine Technician Programs & Inboard/Outboard Apprenticeship in Vancouver Island
Established in 1969 as Malaspina College with the main campus Nanaimo in Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island University (VIU) internationally known university with approximately 16,000 full-time and part-time students including over 2,000 international students. VIU operates four campuses including a main campus in Nanaimo which has 908,500 square feet of built space, and the regional campuses in Duncan and Powell River and a campus center in Parksville.
VIU Offers programs from basic literacy to vocational programs, trades, undergraduate and graduate degrees. Vancouver Island University also offers nine programs, which incorporate the Co-operative Education model. Other programs include - field study, International internships, co-ops and practica, and exchanges.
VIU Trades and Applied Technology department provides trades training and apprenticeship programs for the marine and automotive industry. The programs are offered in collaboration or approval with the industry and Industry Training Authority. The department also offers customized Heavy Equipment Training.
Training & Apprenticeship Programs
Marine Safety Training
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency - SVOP (4 days): SVOP training involves becoming familiar with navigation, vessel construction and stability, collision avoidance and navigation safety, ropework, anchoring and vessel maneuvering, Canada Shipping Act, pollution prevention regulation, geography and chart construction, electronic navigation (radar and chart plotter), meteorology, tides and currents and much more.
- Marine Emergency Duties - MEDA3 (1 day): Marine Emergency Duties A3 is a one-day class concerned with emergencies on ships such as Firefighting, distress signals, man overboard, abandon ship and cold-water shock/hypothermia.
- Restricted Operator Certificate Maritime - ROC-M (1 day): If you’re boat has a marine VHF radio, you are required to hold a marine radio certification (ROCM minimum).
Marine Apprenticeship Programs
- Motorcycle Mechanic and Marine Technician (Nanaimo, 9 months): This certificate program is suited to individuals with all levels of mechanical experience and prepares students for careers as inboard/outboard marine technicians or motorcycle/outdoor power equipment technicians. Upon successful completion, students receive a VIU Motorcycle & Marine Technician Certificate. Graduates also receive credit from the Industry Training Authority for Level 1 Apprentice Technical Training for Motorcycle and Power Equipment Technician, and Inboard/Outboard Mechanic.
Industry Training Programs
- Marine Mechanical Training Level II Program (Nanaimo, 10 weeks): It’s a 10-week course available to any Marine Mechanical Technician Apprentices that meet the following requirements - They have completed the MMT Level I program; They are currently working in the industry; and They are a registered apprentice with the Industry Training Authority.