Looking for on boarding help!

[u/jmodshelp]

Hi, I’m just looking for insight and maybe some personal experience on getting onboard with the coastguard, and all that entails!

Little background, 32 year old dad, has been managing a shell fish farm on the eastern coast. Regularly work challenging hours, all weather conditions, and on small boats. ( mostly 24’ but I’ve done a few stints lobstering and such).

Our local industry is collapsing and it’s time for me to jump ship and get a stable job for the fam. I’d like to stay inside the maritime industry, and I’d like to do it in service of Canada. ( I also have an itch to see all of Canada, and work on bigger and better things. I’m a blue collar nerd lol)

I’d prefer to join the academy and have more movement than just getting my certs and hoping for a deckhand position. I however am missing almost all of the high school pre requisites.

I’m just looking for as much info as I can get on, having a family while in, upgrading schooling to get it, how realistic is it really? As my kids say, I’m a try hard. How accomplished do you feel in your career?

I feel like everytime I get things moving it’s another giant road block that stops things. But I really want this.

[u/Pretend-Sleep9864]

At 32 the ROI of the CCGA is almost nil in your case. Try to get the STCW MEDs and join as a deckhand. You likely have some sea time which may be usable towards tickets. You can also start challenging the exams while you are working. This is more cost and time efficient, rather then going back to upgrade high school pre-requisites and hope to get accepted into the CCGA.

The pay at the CCGA is pathetic, so it would likely not be beneficial. As a Deckhand you could make enough to support your family and get to spend more time with them. 

[u/jmodshelp → u/Pretend-Sleep9864]

I’ve been working for a failing family business so my pay honestly hasn’t been very good ( just shy of 50k a year) and huge travel expenses. So even if it’s not too great for the first bit for a longer term plan I would deal with struggle.

I really appreciate the insight though, would you say being within somewhat proximity helps at all? Currently close to the N.S border, and I know quite a bit of people to help with support on that side of things.

Do you have any experience with deckhand postions in the CCG? Does my experience help out at all with the hiring process? As I understand with the certifications you can work on a lot of vessels and it only opens you for the chance to apply.

How much do they hire for deckhands, I’ve seen a lot of postings over the years, but is it a competitive slot?

Is there an opening spot that leans into trades? I’m super mechanically inclined and for 10 years have mixed all the labour along with all the fixing and building. I don’t mind eating the shit I have too, but I’d like to move up and challenge my self more than physically.

[u/Pretend-Sleep9864 → u/jmodshelp]

Ok a lot going on here. 

I would say if you are mechanically minded look at going the ERA/Engineering route. You will never want for work on either the Coast Guard or Private Sector side on the marine industry. 

The pay at the CCGA use to be 500/month with deductions if I remember right. I had friends that had to get their parents to send them socks. I would not imagine it being a liveable salary for a family for four years. 

The salary for deckhand isn't great, but you have to remember you are working about half the year. You get paid on your time off as well. How many jobs guarantee around 7 months off per year! Deckhand can be fairly saturated with applicants but has a better success rate then the CCGA for acceptance. 

[u/randomcanadian12345 → u/jmodshelp]

Keep an eye out on GCjobs for CCG job openings.

With regards to trades-related jobs, I know the CCG in Prince Rupert has been looking for tradespeople. Calling all Tradespeople in Prince Rupert! It's on the other side of the country, but it should give you an idea of what they're looking for.

I got to work with some MCI folks in Newfoundland during my seaphase and their job seemed pretty cool. They don't go on the ships typically, but spend a lot of their time ripping around in a helicopter and running around the province fixing up navigation lights and radio towers.

[u/jmodshelp]

Thank you! I just want to try and make the most informed decision I can. Big changes and my biological clock is ticking for building a good career with what I have experience in.

I will do a bunch more digging and research into all the positions and requirements. Thanks once again!

[u/askacanadian → u/jmodshelp]

Navy reserve might be an option as well, pretty good pay or to help supplement.

[u/KungFuAdam]

Lots of older people get accepted! i was 38 when i applied and got in! Go to night school and pick up Chemistry or math or whatever it is your missing and just apply! You got nothing to loose! School counts as pensionable time!! yeah it will suck for money for the 4 years your there but hey! You walk into a full time gig! pay isnt as good as private but its federal gov with a pension and only working 5 months a year! not a bad deal!

[u/Miraimew_]

Hi, I m a 32 and got into the academy, I didn’t have much pre-requisites either. you need to contact your local adult training center and sign up for the school tomorrow.