Behind a partnership with Vigor Industrial’s Vancouver shipyard, Clark College’s welding facility will launch a six-credit marine and pipe welding course starting in the summer 2021 term.
The college announced last week instruction will be delivered in a hybrid format featuring both online lectures and in-person labs for 10 Vigor employees for one term. The partnership comes following talks between the college and company on how to give employees specialized training to help them advance their careers and fill a critical need in the ship repair industry.
“We are excited to work with Vigor as we better understand their specific needs and they can see our capabilities and our applications in working with pressure vessels,” said Caleb White, who oversees Clark’s Welding and Fabrication technology program. “Vigor benefits, Clark College benefits – and most importantly, our students benefit from the partnership.”
Vigor has been expanding its operation in Vancouver after receiving a $10 billion federal contract to build the next generation of military landing craft. In 2019, it purchased the former Christensen Shipyards yacht-building facility adjacent to Marine Park.
The company has a contract to build 37 of the amphibious landing craft, with full production to begin in 2023, company officials have said. Up to 400 full-time jobs, many for welders, are expected to be created by the time production reaches full capacity.
