Talent

The ocean economy is a space of immense opportunity.

Opportunity in growth. Opportunity in Ocean solutions. Opportunity in Ocean technologies. Opportunity in Workforce Development and Talent. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster recognizes the talent potential, and the diversity that will be required to champion and propel the ocean economy forward.

Our Talent Strategy

The OSC’s Talent Strategy supports the growth of the ocean workforce by positioning us as a catalyst and a hub, bringing together established workforce initiatives for recruitment, management, training and development in the blue economy.

The Talent Strategy promotes:

The establishment of a talent pool
The accelerated development of a robust, diverse, and workforce-ready talent pipeline with a skillset that allows them to participate, scale, and lead in the ocean economy.

Leveraging the Talent Strategy

Through Ambition 2035, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is working toward building awareness, and creating pathways, for inclusive talent development, attraction, and retention in the ocean economy. This includes:

A youth national benchmarking survey on perceptions, engagements, and intentions in the ocean sector. The “Pathways to Careers in the Ocean Industry” survey provides information to fill gaps in knowledge, and recommendations for solutions to growing and diversifying Canada’s ocean workforce.

Hosting focused roundtable discussions, convening key stakeholders, and helping build partnerships to deliver projects and solutions critical to help identify gaps, build skills, and support the growth of Canadian ocean companies with the workforce they need. Learn more about Ambition 2035 next steps here.

The launch of the OSC Career Hub database. This database has been developed from research and reporting on 640+ blue economy career training initiatives across Canada and aims to help find and utilize career resources in oceans. By mapping talent related initiatives, heightening their visibility, and utilizing them as building blocks for next steps, pan-Canadian connectivity is better supported, communication and collaboration are encouraged, and the talent space for the ocean industry can grow and thrive. This approach leverages the voices of existing blue economy stakeholders, ensures current programming is utilized, and champions innovative ways to address talent in the ocean economy.

Ongoing identification of opportunities to work cross-collaboratively are maximized through membership surveys, in-house and Canadian talent reports, and our commitment to building pan-Canadian and international relationships. By continuing to build trusting and collaborative partnerships with blue economy stakeholders, there is a collective contribution to the vision of a workforce that is diverse, inclusive and supports projected sectoral growth.

OSC Career Hub

Curious about how to get started in Ocean Careers?

The OSC Career Hub is a searchable database of 600+ ocean opportunities that include job boards, youth opportunities, career events, career profiles, education, and internships by province or remote locations.

If you have an additional resource to add, please email contact@oceansupercluster.ca to have it included in our OSC Career Hub.

Career Hub

Careers in an Evolving
Ocean Industry

Building a future-ready ocean workforce is a key pillar of the work we do at the OSC.

Our new report, “Careers in an Evolving Ocean Industry: Perceptions of Access and Opportunity Among Youth and Young Professionals,” highlights the findings from our commissioned study conducted by Dr. Sherry Scully. The report aims to offer insight into how the ocean industry can better attract young, diverse talent, as well as experienced talent with transferrable skills. The findings will also enable strategies for building the capacity, competency, and flexibility of the ocean workforce. Insights include variables in attracting and discouraging new talent, pathways and barriers to entry for underrepresented groups, opportunities for building awareness of ocean careers, non-traditional career pathways, and potential transferrable skills to draw or redirect talent from other industries.

VIEW REPORT

Blue Economy 101: Toolkit

A resource for ocean economy jobseekers

You may have heard the term “blue economy”. But what does this term mean and what exactly is the blue, or ocean economy? The following resource will explain the ocean economy and elements that you, as a professional, should be aware of as you make the transition. Now is the time for you to be a part of the ocean economy, where you can provide value and reap the rewards of a purpose-driven career and helping to shape the wave of change.

View the Toolkit

See What’s Happening in Talent

Students On Ice Foundation (SOI) provides the PORT employment portal that showcases innovative training, internships, job board and upskilling initiatives for youth ages 18-30.

The Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OCTNS) highlights potential careers in the blue economy by exploring career snapshots of in-demand jobs for jobseekers.

The Association of British Marine Industries (ABCMI) provides a career pathway portal to help newcomers, women, Indigenous and youth to find a place in the ocean sector.

Ocean Wise youth programs provide hands-on service opportunities across Canada centered around ocean conservation. With full-time and part-time service programs as well as microgrant programs that help youth grow and expand service ideas and projects

DeepSense provides the STEM Connector mentorship program for post-secondary STEM students to connect with industry professionals to further their professional development.

Eco Canada provides employment programs, a job board, and training opportunities for environmental professionals in Canada.

COVE’s programs and initiatives play a crucial role in developing skills and fostering innovation in the marine technology sector. The immersive internship program for post-secondary students, along with learning resources and workshops for teachers and students, are instrumental in preparing individuals for careers in this dynamic field in addition to building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

ECOP Canada – The Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Network program offers meaningful networking and professional development opportunities across Canada for those early in their career in ocean-related work.

Imagine Marine is a marine careers awareness portal aimed at young people and second career seekers.

Ocean Allies provides a mentorship program for diverse talent to connect and also offers DEI resources and training.

Oceans Advance offers mentoring, internships and a careers immersion program that help ensure a workforce-ready blue economy talent pool.

The Pier offers Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities, including the Green Pathways Challenge, and skills development work.

Huntsman Marine Science Centre offers multiple education programs and hands-on learning opportunities for young students interested in ocean experience.

Ocean Frontier Institute has partnered with the National Film Board of Canada to create OFI’s Ocean School, a free immersive educational experience for youth.

Projects

The OSC is partnering with its members across Canada through Ecosystem and Growth Projects and Activities to help build the ocean talent pipeline in Canada. The following are examples of OSC projects in this area: