The Early Years
Nunavut Fisheries & Marine Training Consortium was established in February 2004 through the collaboration of several organizations united by a shared vision: to provide Nunavut Inuit with training opportunities in the fishery industry. At that time, the federal government, via Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, was offering targeted funding to aboriginal organizations for industry-specific training through partnerships with external entities. Recognizing this opportunity, a group of organizations—led by Jerry Ward, then CEO of Baffin Fisheries Coalition—saw the potential to leverage these funds to support the emerging fishery sector in Nunavut.
The founding partners included: Baffin Fisheries Coalition, the Government of Nunavut’s Fisheries & Sealing Division, Kakivak Association, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut Arctic College, and Hunters and Trappers Associations across Nunavut. Their collective vision was to ensure Inuit beneficiaries had access to training that would enable them to participate actively in the growing fishing industry, including becoming crew members on vessels owned by Nunavut.
Change of Name
The organization’s name was later updated to include “Marine” to reflect that our training expanded beyond fishing alone, encompassing all facets of the marine industry.
Current Organization
By 2018, NFMTC had evolved into a comprehensive provider of training across all areas of the marine industry. Our geographic reach has also expanded, thanks to funding from Transport Canada under the Oceans Protection Plan. Today, NFMTC offers training for beneficiaries across Nunavut, supporting the development of a sustainable and skilled marine workforce throughout the region.
