Ukrainian refugee turns childhood boat-building passion into career
Global News
A Ukrainian refugee is turning his hobby into a full-time career, and that hobby is boat building. His childhood pastime became a key part of his fresh start in Canada.
A Ukrainian refugee is turning his hobby into a full-time career, and that hobby is boat-building. His childhood pastime became a key part of his fresh start in Canada.
Artem Vartanian and his family fled Ukraine last May. When Vartainian came to the Okanagan, he hoped to continue working on what he admires.
“I love all about sailing boats and marine style,” said Vartanian.
Vartanian has a marine education working as a navigator and part-time boat builder. When he was younger, he took up a pastime he still practices today.
“My father liked the scale models and he teach me and we together have good hobbies,” he said.
While he was looking for a new career in Kelowna, he came across a job opening at a local boat store similar to what he did before.
“Initially I thought he was just fascinated with what we were doing, but it became reasonably clear after I talked to him somewhat that he did have a background in boat building,” said Andrew Middleton, Absolute Classics Marine co-owner.
Middleton says when Vartanian mentioned his background in scale-model boats, he knew he could be great for the job.
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