Students visit FMF Cape Breton

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Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB) usually hires students locally from various programs offered at Camosun College and the University of Victoria, but the Co-operative Education program is a paid internship opportunity that many departments of FMF CB offer to potential apprentices. Various divisions within FMF CB hire Co-op students throughout the year, which helps provide students with insight into the industry. A small FMF CB team created a tour to showcase the unit as a potential employer. It was also good for the students to relate their theoretical expertise to practical application. 

The event started with an introduction to the Marine System Engineer department and what they do at FMF CB. An impressive short video of FMF Outreach was shown to the visitors just before they were given Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to access the warehouse safely. The guests visited three production shops where an expert from each workshop explained what they do in their specific sphere—electrical, weapons, and electronics (radar/radio). Students also saw the equipment used and were invited to learn more about it. 

This tour was created to inform students and instructors about what FMF CB can offer potential employees. There is a multitude of divisions and units within the DND that have more civilian employees than military. FMF CB, located on CFB Esquimalt, is an excellent example. More than 900 civilian federal government public servants contribute their competence and knowledge to serve the Fleet.

FMF CB took this excellent opportunity to stage their work as it relates directly to the field of studies offered at Camosun College. 

The students on this tour appreciated seeing how their academic knowledge might integrate with different competencies in a technologist role; the instructors thought the experience was positive for their students as they got to see how passionate personnel at FMF CB were about their work projects and how they were feeling about their contribution to a better military.

“I would like to develop deeper connections between their course/lab work and the kinds of practical applications required at a place like FMF,” said Godfried Pimlott, Camosun instructor.

FMF CB provides technical support for the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Allied Navies. DND employees at FMF are offered a unique work experience through challenges related to evolving environmental conditions. FMF CB is one of the most extensive repair facilities on the West Coast, with multiple workshops and a diverse, competent crew.