But under a massive ocean-going barge up on blocks at Point Hope Maritime shipyard, the 39-year-old transplant from Toronto has found a career and a workplace she truly enjoys.
“With some of the other jobs I’ve done, everything has a system. But here, every boat that comes in has a different spec on what they want done, so you’re learning something new every day.” It says it’s looking to hire more employees not only for the shipyard but across its groups of companies and can take on up to a dozen sponsored apprenticeships every year.
Sibbitt said she left Ontario looking for a “fresh start” and joined Point Hope as a general labourer before becoming an apprentice painter. The move brought her closer to her father, Rex, who died five years ago after spending his life restoring antique furniture. Ethan Monaghan, 20, attended a Point Hope job fair two years ago and was hired as an apprentice almost immediately with Ralmax Fleet Services.
Salema had moved to Victoria from Kitimat that year and was riding his bicycle past the shipyard to a construction job downtown when he decided to apply as a labourer.He started doing paint and steel preparation and general cleanups and moved up to become lead hand with the paint team and eventually project boss — and now production manager.“We have pipe fitters, plumbers, labourers, crane operators, millwrights … there’s lots of job opportunities here,” said Salema.