Commercial divers concerned about industry's future after Seneca College cancels program

Commercial diving experts say the industry will be under water if Seneca College doesn't reverse its recent decision to cancel its diving program. 

The underwater skills program has been around for almost 50 years, but the college has cited high operating costs and low student demand as the reasons for its closure.

That's prompting concerns over workplace safety and labour shortages from members of the commercial diving industry, including one of the program's first instructors.

Doug Elsey was among the earliest instructors with the program in 1974 and still sits on the board of advisors. 

"There is complete shock that this has happened, across the whole industry, across Canada," said Elsey, now the executive director of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors.

"It's like someone flipped the light switch. I don't know who made the decision but they sure as heck didn't talk to us," said Elsey.

In a statement  to CBC Toronto, Seneca College said, "This was not a decision made lightly, and certainly was no reflection on the faculty and staff who have contributed so much to the reputation of the program."

"Given the combination of the high operating and capital costs, the funding environment and low student demand, there was no reasonable prospect of the program getting on solid operational footing and we are unable to continue the program," said spokesperson Ryan Flanagan.

But Elsey said the commercial diving industry is hurting for qualified people and the students who came out of Seneca College had a high level of competency that is essential in what can be dangerous work. 

There are only a handful of commercial diving schools across the country and Elsey said the school was known worldwide for its reputation. 

The school also trained public service divers from various police forces, fire departments and Ministry of Labour employees, he said.

"The whole industry doesn't know what to do. We are crying for people."

More than 90 per cent of underwater construction company owner Dave Gallagher's commercial divers come directly from Seneca College. 

He said he knows of commercial diving companies who were barely able to do work last year because of a shortage of  properly trained divers. The news from Seneca College, he said, is just going to make matters worse.