Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

On April 20, the final graduating class of the Marine Engineering Technician Training Plan (METTP) received their Marine Institute diplomas during a ceremony on the Ridge Road campus.

The four graduates are members of the Royal Canadian Navy: Dustin Grant Collins of Gambo, N.L.; Ryan Joseph Lefebvre of Windsor, Ont.; Colin Robert Smith of Moncton, N.B.; and Jonathan Anthony Walter Steglinski of St. Catharines, Ont.

Mr. Lefebvre also received MI’s Bronze Medal for Academic Achievement. This honour is awarded to the student with the highest standing in the final year of the marine engineering technical program.‌

The graduation ceremony was attended by Commodore Craig Skjerpen, Commander, Canadian Fleet Atlantic; Lieutenant-Commander Gerrald Parsons, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Station St. John’s; and Commander Shannon Lewis-Simpson, Commanding Officer, HMCS Cabot.

The ceremony included remarks from Dr. Rob Shea, Associate Vice-President (Marine Institute) Academic and Student Affairs); Catherine Dutton of MI; and Leslie Noftall, MI registrar.

METTP was a cooperative venture between MI and the Royal Canadian Navy and was specifically designed for students pursuing a marine engineering career with the Navy.

Students spent two years at MI, where courses were designed to provide a solid foundation in engine room machinery and auxiliary equipment, as well as engine room operations. Following graduation, the sailors advance to full-time careers, serving at least three years with the Navy.

More than 1,000 Navy personnel have graduated from the institute since MI first partnered with the Department of National Defence in 1992. Of those graduates, 223 completed the marine engineering technical program since it was first offered in 1997.