The Student of the Year Award, College and CEGEP Co-op, has been awarded to Makayla Silvey, a second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology co-op student at Camosun College and proud Inupiaq woman whose work-integrated learning has transformed her confidence, career path, and community impact. During her co-op at the Department of National Defence’s Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton, she provided engineering support for submarine and surface ship mechanical systems, rapidly mastering specialized software, contributing to repair specifications and technical investigations, and independently leading work on pressure vessel standards, diagnostic testing, and data integrity improvements.
Makayla’s supervisors highlight her as performing well above normal student expectations, earning additional responsibilities such as updating an undermaintained pressure vessel registry and producing professional technical reports that improved process efficiency and asset management. Her at-sea experiences—including disembarking a frigate down a rope ladder during sea trials—reinforced her passion for hands-on marine systems engineering and affirmed her sense of belonging in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Beyond the workplace, Makayla is a Dean’s Honour Roll student, multiple awards recipient, and an enthusiastic ambassador for co-op and technology careers, especially for women and Indigenous students. She promotes co-op through social media, class presentations, and outreach events, speaks on STEM panels and Pathways to Technology programs, and co-leads the Camosun Robotics and Automation Club, where her team showcases projects at major tech events like Discover Tectoria, inspiring peers and helping open new pathways to future WIL opportunities. Congratulations, Makayla Silvey!