HCapt Sangster embraces new role with HMCS St. John’s
By Nathan Stone,
Trident Staff
NACC
Michael Sangster, chief executive officer of the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC), has been appointed Honorary Captain (HCapt) of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John’s.
The appointment recognizes HCapt Sangster’s work highlighting naval careers through the Sea of Opportunities series on his EdUp Canada podcast.
“It’s a huge honor to be accepted,” said HCapt Sangster.
Rather than a traditional ceremony, his introduction to the role took place in St. John’s, N.L., where he joined the ship’s company in its namesake city. Sangster said being welcomed aboard by saluting members of the crew made for a more personal introduction to his new role.
The Honorary Captain program appoints distinguished Canadians to serve three-year terms as ambassadors between the Navy and civilian communities.
HCapt Sangster’s connection to the Navy began through Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Chris Elliott, commanding officer of Naval Reserve Division HMCS Hunter, whom he met at an NACC conference. Elliott was attending to promote naval careers and encourage more career college graduates to consider service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
“He told me, ‘I’m here because the Navy needs more graduates from colleges to come into the service,'” said HCapt Sangster.
That introduction led Sangster to participate in the Canadian Leaders at Sea program and later spend several days aboard HMCS St. John’s during sea training.
The Sea of Opportunities podcast series grew out of that experience. Sangster interviewed crew members aboard the ship as it sailed from Halifax toward the Azores.
The series has produced 19 episodes to date, featuring sailors in roles ranging from acoustics operators to marine engineers and cooks.
What struck Sangster most was the range of responsibilities each sailor holds.
“Nobody had one job on board the ship,” he said. “Everybody had multiple jobs they were responsible for, and they knew it, and they were ready, and they were drilled.”
He said the partnership between career colleges and the Navy is also expanding. NACC has launched VeteransTraining.ca to help veterans retrain as they transition out of service. Meanwhile, the Navy and career colleges are exploring opportunities for recruits to complete six-month training programs at career colleges before beginning their naval careers.
“It’s a pipeline going both ways.”
HCapt Sangster, who is based in Ottawa, said he is working with other honorary captains, including HCapt Nick Nanos and HCapt Jim Balsillie, as he settles into the program and his new role.
He recently attended a gathering of honorary captains in Quebec City, where senior naval officers sought their advice on recruitment, engagement and communications.
Along with providing advice and promoting the Navy to Canadians, HCapt Sangster is planning more Sea of Opportunities episodes, including interviews with sailors transitioning out of the CAF and back to civilian life.
He said he is proud to continue sharing the stories of the RCN and its members with Canadians.
“It’s an incredible honour just to be around the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy who are serving our country,” he said. “They are putting themselves in harm’s way on our behalf. For me, it’s a huge honor to play a very small role in promoting and supporting them.”
