Canadian Coast Guard Academy: Officer Training Program prospectus

Officer Training Program

A centre of excellence where learning becomes life changing.

The Canadian Coast Guard Academy

A centre of excellence since 1965.

The Canadian Coast Guard Academy (CCG Academy) is the Canadian Coast Guard’s national, bilingual, degree-conferring training institution. The Academy provides all marine training for Coast Guard Officers, fleet personnel and marine safety, security and environmental protection specialists.

Located on beautiful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the Academy’s four-year Officer Training Program is one of the best marine training programs in the world. Offering streams in both Marine Navigation and Marine Engineering, this program develops officers for a dynamic and long-term career. An officer’s career path is vast with opportunities in operational and management roles, both at sea and onshore.

Why choose the CCG Academy

When joining the Officer Training Program, you begin your career as a public servant of Canada, and during your four years at the Academy, you will receive:

• Paid education and a monthly allowance
• Accommodations, meals, textbooks and uniforms
• Medical and dental plan coverage
• Up to four weeks paid vacation leave every year

Graduates of the Canadian Coast Guard Officer Training Program receive:

• Canadian Coast Guard Academy Diploma
• Bachelor of Technology in Nautical Sciences
• Internationally recognized Commercial Certificate of Competency issued by Transport Canada
• Continued employment with the Canadian Coast Guard

Keepers of the coastline

The Canadian Coast Guard are the keepers of Canada’s 243,000 kilometer long coastline – the longest of any in the world. The Canadian Coast Guard is the leading maritime authority in the country, operating 24/7 in some of the most challenging conditions on earth to provide services that are critical to Canada’s safety, security and economic growth.

The Canadian Coast Guard offers essential marine services to keep our waters safe and navigable. Our services include: Search and Rescue, Aids to Navigation, Environmental Response, Icebreaking, Maritime Security, Waterways Management, supporting other government agencies in their mandates and Marine Communications and Traffic Services.

Campus life

Administrative & academic complex

Small and large classrooms, study rooms, laboratories, simulators, library, and galley.

Waterfront training centre

Also known as the boatshed. Home to various vessels for training and recreation.

Marine engineering training building

Known as the Machine Shop. This facility is where hands-on training prepares cadets with skills including: welding, machining, engine repair and rebuilding, refrigeration, ship refitting, water purification, and hydraulics.

Wellness centre

Our multi-functional Wellness Centre houses a 25-metre swimming pool, double gymnasium, fitness rooms, squash court, and outdoor soccer and baseball fields.

Residence

The Academy offers excellent accommodations imitating shipboard life. Each cluster is made up of 8 private rooms with shared washroom and living room. Amenities include a large media room, music room, and a cozy pub with games room.

What to expect

The Marine Engineering Program and Marine Navigation Program will prepare officer cadets for exceptional career paths in the Canadian Coast Guard.

As a Canadian Coast Guard employee in the training program, officer cadets will develop skills within their field of study through a consecutive 4 year program consisting of academic terms and sea-phases. Academic terms will include a blend of classroom learning, simulation and practical training with time at sea. On sea-phase, Officer Cadets will experience life and work aboard Coast Guard vessels.

Is marine navigation for you

Marine navigation - academic timetable

• 11 months at Academy
• 7 months at sea
• 8 months at Academy
• 7 months at sea
• 10 months at Academy

Marine navigation officers are responsible for the safe passage of a Canadian Coast Guard vessel at sea and for its security in port. They also have logistical, safety and financial responsibilities onboard a vessel.

The program has many elements, each preparing the officer cadets for their careers as navigation officers. Elements include seamanship, chartwork, communications, meteorology, stability and navigating various sizes of vessels among many others.

This Transport Canada accredited program prepares you for a career as a marine navigation officer in the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet. You will develop your marine skills through classroom learning, world-class navigation and ice breaking simulations, as well as practical hands-on training at the Academy and at sea. You will also have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills to effectively provide direction to the ship’s crew while ensuring the safety of the vessel and persons aboard.

Is marine engineering for you

Marine engineering - academic timetable

• 11 months at Academy
• 4 months at sea
• 14 months at Academy
• 4 months at sea
• 10 months at Academy

Marine engineering officers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all equipment and structures of Canadian Coast Guard vessels. They are involved in the maintenance of all equipment and perform major refit (repairs) to main engines and associated propulsion systems.

The program has many elements, each preparing the officer cadets for their careers as engineering officers. Elements include technical sketching and blueprint reading, engineering knowledge, electricity, hydraulics, ship construction, refrigeration, thermodynamics and many more.

This Transport Canada accredited program prepares you for a career as a Marine Engineering Officer in the Canadian Coast Guard Fleet. Through classroom learning, state of the art propulsion plant simulator and practical training at the Academy and at sea, you will learn to operate numerous engineering systems aboard a vessel including hydraulics, propulsion plant, electrical and electronic systems, and refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

You will develop marine skills to provide effective watchkeeping, vessel maintenance, and repairs. The development of your leadership skills will ensure the safe operation of the vessel and its crew.

Admissions

Course requirements effective March 2025

Course requirements

For an application to be considered, a high school diploma is required by June 30th of the intake year, with a minimum final grade of 70% in each of the following university-preparatory courses. Applicants may apply in their grade 12 or secondary 5 year.

Course requirements by province

The CCGC Academy reserves the right to change the admission requirements. The latest updates will be posted online.

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Application process

• When the application process begins, a job notification will be posted. The job notification will provide information relating to the position, such as: Title, essential and asset qualifications, conditions of employment and deadlines. Applications are completed online. To access application information, please visit our website.
• As a high school graduate, you need to provide a high school transcript and any post-secondary transcripts demonstrating that you have achieved the course requirements
• As a current high school student, you need to provide a transcript demonstrating you have completed Grade 11 (Secondary 4) course requirements and proof of enrollment of Grade 12 (Secondary 5) courses. Throughout the school year, you will need to provide a mid-year grade report, end of semester transcript and a final transcript at the end of the school year
• For applicants who are upgrading a course(s), you need to provide proof of enrollment in the required course(s). Throughout your academic semester, you will need to submit a mid-year grade report and final transcript upon course completion

Selection process

• The process begins with the assessment of your academic transcripts against the course requirements. You will only move forward in the selection process if you have completed or are enrolled in the required courses meeting the grade requirement.
• If you are continuing in the process, you will be evaluated on the essential and asset qualifications listed in the job notification. Qualifications may be assessed through a variety of assessment methods.
• Applicants who meet the essential qualifications will be placed in a pool of qualified candidates.
• The Academy will select applicants who meet all the requirements for a position in the Officer Training Program specializing in either marine engineering or marine navigation based on the number of positions available.
• Selected candidates will receive a letter of offer.