Nova Scotia and British Columbia have formalized an agreement to enhance partnerships across their shipbuilding and marine industries, and increase the mobility of apprentices.

“We share a strong shipbuilding industry,” said Karen Casey, acting Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “We need to take advantage of this and work together to help grow our two provinces’ economies. This partnership helps our businesses to build their export capacity and take full advantage of spin-off opportunities coming out of the industry.”

In the memorandum of understanding, the two provinces commit to helping businesses tap into the supply chain, improving shipbuilding and industrial marine trades training, and removing barriers for apprentices training in the trades.

“Shipbuilding and marine industries are important to the economies of both our coastal provinces,” added Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training for British Columbia.

This partnership aligns with recommendations from the ONE Nova Scotia Coalition to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the shipbuilding project and to support the participation of Nova Scotia businesses in national and global supply chains. These include opportunities for more than 150 Nova Scotia businesses. The coalition predicts that the shipbuilding project will drive employment and supply chains across the province.

“Cooperation between provinces on training to meet the increasing demand for skilled trades people is fantastic,” says Paul Phillips of Hawboldt Industries Ltd. “We are proud to have worked with shipyards on both coasts. We see lots of similarities that Nova Scotia and British Columbia businesses and apprentices can benefit from.”

Commitments under the agreement also include:
— promoting supplier development and industry engagement
— sharing of best practices in trades training
— evaluating international training models and assessing joint training ventures in the shipbuilding and marine industries
— promoting participation in shipbuilding and industrial marine trades training among youth and aboriginal people

This partnership is consistent with government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden to enhance and improve the province’s economic climate.

Source: Release