Navy job fair at HMCS Chippawa

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This article was published 28/02/2016 (3746 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT may be ‘Ready, Aye, Ready’ for some Winnipeggers after this weekend.

It’s the motto of the Royal Canadian Navy, and the naval branch of the Canadian Forces held a job fair at HMCS Chippawa for a few hours Saturday afternoon. Dozens of people went in the first hour to find out about opportunities in both the navy and the reserve.

Kareen Rak, holding her four-year-old son Alexander, said she is a permanent resident and not a Canadian citizen yet, but as soon as she gets her citizenship she is looking at joining either the navy or the air force.

Rak, who came from the Philippines, said she would like to make a career in one of the services, but not just because it would be a job.

“I know I’m not born in Canada, but I’m getting older, and I want to leave something behind. I want to say that I served Canada, that I have given back,” she said.

“I haven’t been to an open house at the air force yet, but the navy is interesting.”

Nearby, Bekalu Erkabu, originally from Ethiopia, was also getting more information about the opportunities available in the navy.

“It’s my interest,” said Erkabu, shortly after holding a firearm used by the navy.

“I’m trying to find out about it. Maybe this might be the future after I become a citizen.”

Petty Officer First Class Leonard Lajoie, Manitoba’s navy recruiter, said in the first hour of the job fair about 70 people went through the indoor and outdoor exhibits and spoke  with serving members of the navy and reserve.

“We’ve had eight people apply, so that’s great,” Lajoie said.

“Last year we had a total of 100 people go through and 20 people apply, so we are ahead of last year so far.”

Lajoie said the main qualifications are to be between the ages of 16 and 55, have a Grade 10 education or higher and be a Canadian citizen.

He said a major benefit of the reserve is it will reimburse tuition up to $2,000 per year over four years, up to $8,000. There is no obligation to serve afterwards.

He said more women have been joining the reserve in recent decades, so between 40 per cent to 45 per cent of the reserve members at HMCS Chippawa are women.

Leading Seaman Sydney Huyghe said she joined the reserve three years ago, mainly to get the education subsidy.

“I love this job so much,” she said. “It is the best decision I have ever made.

“I joined at 17, and I am now switching over to the regular force where, hopefully, I will be posted to the East Coast or the West Coast. I love working with all the different age groups, and you meet people from all over Canada.”

Lajoie said the navy accepts recruits year-round and not just during the job fair. He said you can go to www.forces.ca for more information.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca