Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1.1M Ocean Allies 2.0
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1.1M Ocean Allies 2.0 Project
The project’s second phase takes Ocean Allies coast-to-coast-to-coast
Today, alongside project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced the $1.1 million Ocean Allies 2.0 Project. This project builds on the successful pilot to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the ocean ecosystem. Ocean Allies 2.0 expands the pilot program’s scope beyond the Atlantic provinces to become a national program, with partners and key organizations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Through targeted measures and events to support mentorship, training, awareness building the Ocean Allies team works to reduce systemic barriers, attract talent and build a more inclusive ocean economy. This phase of the projects will focus on increasing Indigenous partnerships with a particular focus on Inuit Nunangat.
With a total project value of over $1.1 million, the OSC will provide $750 thousand in funding with the balance coming from project partners. In Ocean Allies 2.0, Pisces Research Project Management, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, and Perennia have expanded their roster of partners with the following organizations to increase business linkages between ocean companies and diverse talent pools, fostering new entrants into the ocean economy:
- AbilityNB
- BioNB
- Canadian Commission for UNESCO
- Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
- Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC)
- Center for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE)
- EnPoint
- Irving Shipbuilding (ISI)
- Labour, Skills, and Immigration Nova Scotia
- MarineLabs
- Mitacs
- Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)
- Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
- National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
- Ocean Advance
- Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI)
- Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
- Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS)
- PEI Business Women’s Association
- Shumba Consulting
- Synapse
- Upswing Solutions
Ocean Allies has become a leading driver advancing diversity and inclusion in Canada’s ocean technology sector. The project team will leverage existing resources and infrastructure in the ocean technology ecosystem to establish meaningful communication channels with diverse organizations throughout Canada. The project will also seek to generate increased employment opportunities including, underemployed or unemployed workers in the ocean technology ecosystem. In doing so, it will provide long-term solutions for reducing barriers to underrepresented groups and realizes the overall objective of building capacity for innovation in the ocean sector.
To learn more about Ocean Allies and their resources, visit www.oceanallies.ca.
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To date, the OSC has approved more than 70 projects with a total value of more than $360 million which will deliver more than 120 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. Learn more about Canada’s Ocean Supercluster here. For more information visit www.oceansupercluster.ca
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Quotes:
“With support from Canada’s Ocean Cluster, Ocean Allies is planning on taking its success from coast to coast to coast. After already strengthening infrastructure, capabilities and commercially relevant solutions, the focus will be on developing our talent to support an equitable, diverse and inclusive ocean economy.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“We are proud of the work being done through the Ocean Allies Project and excited to announce its next phase to support greater diversity, equity and inclusion across ocean sectors throughout Canada. Removing barriers, building capabilities and connections, and providing resources will not only help address the growing need for ocean talent, but help Canada realize our full potential for sustainable ocean innovation.” – Melody Pardoe, Chief Engagement Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“As a founding partner to the Ocean Allies project, we recognize many of the challenges that exist in Canada’s ocean sector and the need to better support diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion. Our team at Pisces RPM is committed to collaborating with our partners to support and provide meaningful opportunities to our ocean community, and taking concrete steps towards building a more richly diverse and inclusive ecosystem.” – Kes Morton, CEO, Pisces RPM
“It is through consistent action, collective impact and collaboration that we will be able to increase the full participation of all people in Canada’s ocean technology sector. Ocean Allies has proven to be a great champion of this and the kind of organization that EnPoint can stand behind. We look forward to contributing our experience helping organizations make mentorship matter to this project.” – Chantal Brine, CEO, Endpoint
“The Shumba team is excited to continue to be part of the Ocean Allies’ journey in the next phase of this important work. Building on the Navigating Change foundations established in the pilot phase we look forward to collectively and intentionally working together toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive ocean sector.” – Tinaye Manyimo, CEO, Shumba Consulting
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1.8M Crowdsourced Wind Maps Project
Crowdsourcing Technology Enables New Type of Data for Marine Weather and Navigation
Today, alongside project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced the $1.8 million Crowdsourced Wind Maps: A New Type of Data for Marine Weather & Navigation. This Nova Scotia-led project uses connected wind sensors on boats to display crowdsourced wind zones to aid in navigation and route-planning.
Unlike satellite imaging typically used to gather marine weather data, using crowdsourced wind measurements provides higher resolution than has ever been possible before. The Crowdsourced Wind Maps project provides wind zone contour lines showing how the wind funnels into channels and around headlands, to improve marine navigation for all types of vessels. Data from internet-connected wind sensors is merged with the worldwide meteorological data forecast. There are never enough weather stations, but this project uses data from users who move around. This innovative solution archives incoming data, allowing the generation of wind maps showing how the wind is flowing even when there is no live data in a particular location.
With a total project value of over $1.8 million, the OSC will provide $536 thousand in funding with the balance coming from project partners. In the Crowdsourced Wind Maps project, Halifax-based SailTimer will work with Canadian partners Canadian Yachting Media, IIC Technologies, and Navcast. Four international companies are also collaborating on the project, including MarksetBot, McBride Racing, Storm Glass, and Weather Tactics. The team will use the crowdsourced data to create new commercial opportunities, and a new supply chain for this type of marine weather data.
The new S-100 industry standard from the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) supports new higher resolution for all types of chart data, from bottom depths to wind maps. The crowdsourcing technology created by this project provides more data sources than has ever been possible until now. End-users will be able to use GPS chart plotter displays or smartphone apps with this subscription based IoT platform. Manufacturers, weather organizations, app developers and other providers will be able to license the data via cloud APIs for their own products.
Anyone who is a boater on a vessel of any size will know that when deciding to head out you always need to know if the water is safe, which way is the wind blowing, how are the waves, and if you will be able to arrive safely. Data for the new crowdsourced wind maps comes from the patented wireless SailTimer Wind Instrument™, Air Link™ accessory for legacy anemometers, and licensees. This project will create 25 full-time jobs with the potential for 150 indirect jobs.
About OSC
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The OSC has approved more than 70 projects with a total value of more than $360 million which will deliver more than 120 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Quotes:
“Weather conditions are crucial and unpredictable in the ocean sector. The new wind map project from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will improve marine weather prediction and navigation for all types of marine vessels. This will provide personnel on the vessels with safer operating conditions, and create strong growth opportunities for Canadian companies,” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Having access to the most accurate data possible is critical to navigation planning and in the consideration of conditions at sea. This project will provide higher resolution wind measurements than ever possible before and combine it with forecast data to supply all marine vessels with the best marine navigation data for safer operations and better decision making. – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1.8M Crowdsourced Wind Maps Project
Collaboration is a key component of Canada’s thriving ocean startup ecosystem
By: Natasha Legay, Senior Program Coordinator at the Ocean Startup Project
Innovative startup teams are developing cutting-edge technologies that are reimagining a more sustainable future with the potential to change the world.
So what can leaders in the innovation space do to better support the growth and development of entrepreneurs? They can explore and create more opportunities for the ecosystem to better serve these founders – together.
Founders benefit most where key stakeholders – government, academic communities, risk capital, industry and ecosystem partners – intersect with a unified approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship: through collaboration. Vibrant, inclusive and globally impactful innovation ecosystems are driven by collaboration that makes it easier for homegrown innovations to reach global markets.
The ocean startup ecosystem alone has had a tremendous boost in recent years with the launch and expansion of partnerships, hubs and support networks nationally. One example of this growth is the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST); they are championing a collaborative call-to-action from the Pacific region’s marine sector entrepreneurs, corporations, academia, investors and government to leverage ocean opportunities.
In Central Canada, Quebec is quickly emerging as a leader in the Blue Economy. Organizations such as Technopole maritime du Quebec (TMQ), Novarium, Merinov, Innovation Maritime, Centre de Recherche sur les Biotechnologies Marine, and other innovation-focused groups are catalyzing ocean startup activity in the province and Canada, bridging ecosystem gaps, connecting communities and nurturing the development of entrepreneurs.
The Ocean Startup Project’s national expansion is proof that we can achieve so much more by working together to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their development, and nowhere was that more apparent than at Startupfest 2022 in Montreal in mid-July, where creating a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs took centre stage.
More than 50 people from various Atlantic Canada-based startups and innovation hubs, like Propel ICT, Volta, Venn, Ignite Atlantic, Startup Zone PEI, Planet Hatch, and more, attended the startup conference under the newly-launched Startup Atlantic brand. As a national project in scope, we were thrilled to be part of that delegation that brought together ecosystem stakeholders from all four Atlantic Canadian provinces, promoting the benefits of building and growing global technology companies in the region – and embodying the spirit of ecosystem collaboration we’re seeing across the country.
As a national startup ecosystem, we must continue to work together to identify and highlight opportunities so that Canadian innovators can win globally.
At the OSP, we believe Canada is the best place in the world to start and grow an ocean technology business, and that’s why we’re working with ecosystem partners across the country to promote ocean opportunities and seed startup ideas. One way we’re doing this is through our third Ocean Startup Challenge, a competition that supports idea and early stage teams as they develop solutions to ocean industry problems. This year, we’re collaborating with several partners to highlight ocean innovation opportunities. We’ll showcase these opportunities leading up to our September 1 application deadline to inspire Canadian innovators to implement their ideas, technologies or research to solve industry challenges.
Since 2020 when the OSP was launched through Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, it has provided more than $2.2-million in funding and programming support to 43 early stage teams through the Ocean Startup Challenge, four teams through the Ocean Idea Challenge, and another 39 teams through Lab2Market Oceans. Those early stage teams have made an impressive impact in a short time by creating more than 100 jobs and raising $7.5-million+ in non-dilutive funding and nearly $8.5-million in equity investment since working with us.
But we couldn’t have accomplished this without strong partnerships and support from ecosystem collaborators. Every meeting invite accepted, collaborative event hosted, founder referral provided, competition application reviewed, and mentor session attended have enabled us to support more than 83 ocean founders so far.
We’re always learning and drawing inspiration from our ecosystem partners as a Project. Startup Atlantic, the Blue Innovation Corridor and other collaborative ecosystem initiatives are excellent reminders of what combined efforts and a purpose-driven, founder-focused mission can achieve for startup communities and the broader Canadian innovation ecosystem.
The OSP wants to connect startup communities across the country with resources that can help early stage ocean businesses grow. We’re always open to collaborating with organizations and community groups interested in shining a spotlight on ocean startup opportunities. For more information about the Ocean Startup Project and to connect with our team, visit www.oceanstartupproject.ca
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces the $920k Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Project
The project will recruit industry mentors and connect them with ocean technology entrepreneurs and focus on providing employment opportunities for emerging leaders from underrepresented groups into growing ocean companies
Together with project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced the Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Project. The project will help create a system for professional advancement within the ocean sector through a strong and sustainable mentorship network, which includes exposure to the diverse thinking and industry experience of ocean leaders.
Led by ECO Canada from Alberta with their Atlantic-based project partners, the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE), the College of North Atlantic (CNA), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), the Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Program will specifically focus on the needs of ocean companies and will combine a peer mentorship program with traditional mentor-mentee relationships. The total value of the project is $920k with close to $460k coming from the Ocean Supercluster.
This project will create new connections between participating Ocean Supercluster members through various project activities and mentorship opportunities. Participants in the program will also receive toolkits to help understand and get the most out of the experience with the program, as well as to continue to make lasting and meaningful changes within the organizations. These toolkits will lay out evidence-based, best practices strategies for finding and developing talent, discuss the logic and benefits of cultivating a diverse workforce, and provide guidance for how to access the largest possible pool of talent.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are some of the driving principles of this project that will ensure that women, Indigenous participants, and other visible minorities have access to career advancement and new employment opportunities.
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led, transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly capable, inclusive workforce. The Ocean Supercluster has approved more than 70 projects with a total value of more than $360 million which will deliver more than 110 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Media Contacts:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Quotes:
“With support from Canada’s Ocean Cluster, this project is building a stronger and more resilient marine sector for all Canadians. Our government is proud to support this project to ensure that under-represented groups have equitable access to opportunities and that we have more Canadians seeing the incredible opportunities available in the ocean economy.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“As the Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Science and Industry, and as the Member of Parliament for the coastal city of Halifax, the importance of having strong connections to support ocean industries is clear to me. The new Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Project from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will help ocean industries work in a collaborative and diverse environment for the betterment of the industry.” – Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Science and Industry, and Member of Parliament for Halifax
“There is a tremendous need for increasing numbers of experienced leadership talent and expert mentors to participate in the sustainable blue economy. Canada’s small to medium sized businesses are actively recruiting for highly skilled roles including technical and leadership capacities. We are pleased to support the partners leading this project as they work collaboratively on providing new opportunities for ocean innovators.” – Melody Pardoe, Chief Engagement Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Canada’s Blue Economy sectors offer significant potential for growth and employment. It is expanding as it has never before with many new and emerging sectors within the ocean economy. A diverse and inclusive labor pool is critical to support the rapid growth in this sector. The Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Project will develop tools and work with employers to build and support a diverse and inclusive workforce in our Blue Economy.” – Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry, Vice President-Professional Services & ESG, ECO Canada
“COVE is a proud partner of the Blue Mentorship and Leadership Pathways Project. Everything COVE does is engrained with equity, diversity, and inclusion, from our programs and services to our research. Innovation in the ocean sector can only grow when all perceptions, knowledge and backgrounds are heard. As a leader in the Blue Economy, our future workforce depends on programs such as this.” – Melanie Nadeau, CEO, COVE
“NSCC is pleased to collaborate with partners like ECO, COVE, JEDI and College of the North Atlantic. Identifying mentors and champions to assist in the development of those aspiring to train for a career in the oceans sector is a key to building capacity for this exciting field.” – Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, Associate Vice President, Applied Research and Innovation, Nova Scotia Community College
Canadian and Global Community Unite Around Ocean in June
By: Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
June has been a very busy ocean month. It has been so amazing to get out and meet people in the ocean community all over the world after many, many months of zoom calls and virtual connections. A virtual coffee chat does not compare to the ability to sit outside next to the water in Lisbon and talk about the future of ocean. The past few weeks have had many highlights: World Ocean Day at the United Nations in New York, the H20 conference in Halifax, the Green Marine conference in Montreal, the Global Innovation Summit in Estoril, and the United Nations Decade of Ocean conference in Lisbon, just to name a few – and that is just June. I wanted to share some takeaways although given the many activities, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few.
1. We have a story to tell: The world is interested in what’s happening in Canada. We have created incredible momentum in the last few years and the well-attended Canadian conferences the OSC team has participated in this past month has been a great indicator of that energy. As an example, there were so many companies with so much exciting work on display at booths at H2O followed by a sold-out showcase event at the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship’s (COVE) Demo Day. These are the kinds of activities that help feed into the momentum Canada is building, and a demonstration of what is possible when we work together. It is this approach that got us invited to speak at the World Ocean Day event in New York alongside Salesforce and the United Nations, sharing Canada’s contribution to the revitalization of the ocean economy. While there, I had the opportunity to listen to Sylvia Earle, the first woman to become Chief Scientist of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), share her perspectives and reinforce the message that there is no green without blue – something we certainly believe at the OSC. We were also chosen as one of fifty global Ocean Titans as part of a new World Ocean Council docuseries featuring the amazing projects of some of our member companies, and launched on June 29 by Reuters. It was with a whole lot of pride and optimism that I shared Canada’s ocean story at several panels over the last month on topics ranging from innovation to climate to coastal communities.
2. We need to increase our ambition: While we should be proud of all that we have accomplished, our ocean economy in Canada remains a small contributor to our overall GDP. While listening to the many announcements and reconnecting with stakeholders around the world, it was evident that the rest of the world is also moving fast and, in many cases, with more investment and more focus. Hydrogen, small modular reactors, carbon capture, storage and use, wave energy, seaweed products, regenerative marine tourism and the list goes on – there were many stories of cutting-edge technologies and solutions being built around the world and an increasing number of programs to make those solutions more accessible. What was clear at the UN Decade events, and in listening to speakers like John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the United States and Peter Thomson, UNSG’s Special Envoy for the Ocean is that we need to move faster if we want to be leaders in the blue economy, and save our ocean and our planet. We need to continue to build awareness of Canada’s ocean opportunity; engage everyone in the ocean conversation including bringing Indigenous knowledge and Western knowledge together; connect coastal communities; attract more technology companies to the ocean economy; and scale solutions. And, we need recognize that in order to achieve emissions reduction targets on land, we must achieve them in the ocean.
3. There is much more opportunity for global collaboration: We are getting increasing interest in building partnerships as are other organizations in Canada’s ocean ecosystem: Oceans Advance signed a memorandum of understanding with nine clusters around the world in Portugal; COVE signed an agreement for a scale up program with Innovate UK; and both the OSC and Marine Renewables Canada signed agreements with the European Leaders in Blue Energy consortium – all in the month of June. How do we maximize the value of these partnerships to the benefit of our member companies? How can member companies leverage international relationships to scale more quickly?
It is an exciting time for Canada’s ocean economy and I am thrilled to be a part of it. The OSC team works tirelessly every day to continue to change the way we do business in the ocean across Canada and build an ocean economy that is increasingly digital, sustainable, and inclusive. These themes resonate around the world. It is, however, a time where the ocean is also facing unprecedented challenges and our ability to tackle those challenges quickly and in a coordinated way around the world is tied to the quality of our future life on the planet and the health of the planet itself. If in your work you are looking for a way to make the world a better place, I would strongly encourage you to explore opportunities in the ocean, if you haven’t already. I am re-energized with the level of conversation and interest in the work we are doing and look forward to the next steps on the OSC journey.
Ocean Supercluster Establishes Collaborative Partnership with European Leaders of Blue Energy
New Partnership to Advance Opportunities in Offshore Renewable Energy
Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) and the European Leaders of Blue Energy (ELBE) Alliance announced their new, collaborative partnership to foster exchange of best practices and collaboration initiatives among their respective members in Europe and Canada on renewable ocean energy.
In their partnership, the OSC and ELBE Alliance will focus their collaborative efforts on advancing opportunities in renewable energy sources, including offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy.
Through sharing knowledge and research, the partnership sets out to support SMEs and create new market opportunities in these areas of renewable energy.
ELBE Alliance represents seven European clusters composing the Alliance: Basque Energy Cluster from Spain, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group from Scotland, Blue Cluster from Belgium, Energy Cluster Denmark, OffshoreVäst / RISE from Sweden, Pôle Mer Mediterranée from France and GCE Node from Norway.
“As the world transitions to more renewable energy sources, it creates significant opportunity for sustainable offshore energy growth,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “We are excited about the potential of this partnership with the European Leaders of Blue Energy where we will work together to meet shared objectives and increase opportunities for our members in renewable energy, while also reducing carbon emissions on the path to net zero.”
“The alliance partners recognize the significant opportunities that could be developed by working closely with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and are looking forward to collaborating on innovative ways in which to help the transition from fossil fuel dependency to a net zero future,” said Gordon McIntosh, Director of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group on behalf of ELBE. “Over 1000 companies and organizations from across Europe comprise the makeup of the ELBE partnership and we are sure that the MOU signed today will act as a catalyst for greater interaction between Canada and our European partners.”
Important pillars of the energy transition, wind, wave, and tidal energy open opportunities to produce emission-free electricity from renewable energies and can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels to lower emissions and pollution. The partnership between the OSC and the ELBE Alliance to better position Canada and Europe in the renewable ocean energy sector.
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a national, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared
challenges of ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and
commercialization of globally relevant solutions. This includes leaders in fisheries, aquaculture, offshore
resources, bioresources, transportation, marine renewables, defence, and ocean technologies who are committed to leveraging collective strengths and working together to change the way ocean business is done.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is growing the ocean economy is a digital, sustainable, and inclusive way with more than 70 game-changing projects to date with a total project value of more than $360 million. For more
information visit www.oceansupercluster.ca
About ELBE
The ELBE Alliance aims to contribute to positioning Europe as a world technological and industrial leader in Blue Energy and has objectives which includes signing Cooperation Agreements with relevant international associations and clusters in other countries. For more information visit www.elbealliance.eu
Media Contact
Nancy Andrews
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1 M Indigenous Career Pivot Program
The announcement follows the successful pilot project which saw mid-career Indigenous employees pivot to careers in Canada’s ocean economy
Together with four program partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced the Indigenous Career Pivot Program. The program will facilitate and support meaningful work placements for up to 17 Indigenous People wishing to explore new career options in Canada’s ocean economy.
Following the successful pilot program which saw 11 mid-career Indigenous People pivot to careers in the ocean economy, the program represents a total investment of more than $1 million of which $750,000 is funded by the Ocean Supercluster.
Led by Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping with their project partners of British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), the College of the North Atlantic (CNA), and the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), the program will provide Indigenous Peoples with 12-month employment placements where they will gain valuable experience in the ocean sector and enhance their knowledge through work experiences that complement their existing skillset and natural aptitudes.
The program offers learning and support opportunities for both participants and employers through career mentoring support provided by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and employers, a Peer Support Network for Indigenous participants, and cultural awareness training provided to employers.
The Ocean Supercluster recognizes that Indigenous Peoples are natural collaborators in the ocean sector
because of their lived experiences in coastal environments and their historic, cultural, and spiritual connection to the waters. With this understanding, the Supercluster is working to build mutually beneficial relationships with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities to better understand how to sustainably develop ocean opportunities that enhance Indigenous communities.
To learn more about the program and how to get involved as an employer or participant, visit: Indigenous Career Pivot Program | Ocean Sector Opportunities
Quotes:
“By creating training and career opportunities for Indigenous peoples in the ocean economy, this initiative will ensure that Canada has an even stronger and more inclusive workforce. I am pleased to see Canada’s Ocean Supercluster recognizing the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples and building on the success of the Indigenous Career Pivot Project.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“We are very pleased to support a continued collaboration with project partners, OSC members and Indigenous communities that facilitates new, exciting careers in culturally safe and inclusive work environments for mid-career Indigenous persons keen to explore opportunities within the sustainable blue economy while enhancing the cultural competencies of the participating workplaces.” – Melody Pardoe, Chief Engagement Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Employers have an incredible opportunity to listen, understand, and work with the talented new generation of Indigenous knowledge leaders and workers. The program is an important step forward in advancing reconciliation as set out in the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.” – Sarah Thomas, Director of Indigenous and Coastal Community Relations at Clear Seas
About OSC
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led, transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly capable, inclusive workforce. The Ocean Supercluster has approved more than 70 projects with a total value of more than $360 million which will deliver more than 110 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
About Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping
Clear Seas is a not-for-profit, independent research centre that supports safe and sustainable marine shipping in Canada. Through research and communications, it provides impartial information on key maritime issues to policy makers and the public. All publications are available at clearseas.org.
Media Contacts:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Sarah Thomas
Director of Indigenous and Coastal Community Relations
Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping
Sarah.thomas@clearseas.org
778.713.1444
Careers in Canada’s Ocean Economy
The Opportunity for Rewarding Contributions to Canada’s Sustainable Development of the Ocean
Submitted by: Melody Pardoe, Chief Engagement Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
When Canadians think about the ocean, what comes to mind? Unique and rewarding careers that span everything from robotics to data analysis to clean energy, or do they think of whale watching, sea kayaking, fishing and surfing? In addition to recreation and nourishment, we hope that more and more people think of the ocean as a place for economic prosperity and a source for a rewarding career.
Nearly 30% of the world’s population lives along ocean coasts. With the longest coastline in the world, Canadians have the option to live in hundreds of coastal communities, all with unique cultures and economic opportunities. Living and working close to the ocean is extremely rewarding, something I personally recommend everyone try if they have the opportunity.
Canadian ocean companies are developing new technologies that are at the forefront of mitigating climate change and modernising traditional industries such that we are learning more about the ocean and lessening the harmful impacts on our shared aquatic global ecosystem. These solutions will allow us to sustainably meet the increasing demand for protein, decarbonize marine transportation of goods and people, transition to clean energy to power the world, and collect the data we need to monitor and operate in our ocean environment with a reduced footprint. It is through technology, collaboration and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples that we will enjoy a thriving sustainable ocean economy. It’s exciting to know that the hundreds of small (and growing) businesses involved in Ocean Supercluster projects are leading the way with ocean innovation globally, and these companies are hiring – there are thousands of available jobs being created in ocean industries.
Our team recently took a deep dive into the jobs currently advertised by our member companies, and the range of opportunities are vast. We found that more than half of these roles required technical competency (e.g. engineer, technician, software developer, etc.) and just over 25% were senior management positions. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) anticipates that by 2030, the world’s ocean economy will double to $3 trillion (USD) outpacing the general global economy by a factor of nearly 20%. If you have never worked in an ocean industry, I encourage you to consider a new adventure, contributing to this momentous growth.
Please get in touch with us to become a member or follow us on social media to hear about the amazing things OSC members are building. In addition, here are a few places to start exploring ocean careers:
- SOI Foundation – Ocean Careers
- Schmidt Marine – Jobs
- COVE – Work in Ocean Tech
- OTCNS – Careers
- Ocean Careers NL
Canada is an ocean nation; how will you get involved? I’m always open to connecting, please feel welcome to reach out on LinkedIn.
Two-Eyed Seeing for a Sustainable Blue Economy
Leah Beveridge & Shelley Denny, Two-Eyed Seeing Advisory Committee Members
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Ralph Eldridge
Indigenous Engagement Lead
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Leah Beveridge
Two-Eyed Seeing Advisory Committee Member
PhD Candidate
Dalhousie University
Two-Eyed Seeing Advisory Committee Member
Director of Aquatic Research and Stewardship
Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources