ACOA awards $170,000 to COMPASS to address turnover in oceans workforce

Through this project, COMPASS will foster and strengthen oceans-related education and digital skills among Newfoundland and Labrador youth to help build a robust and skilled ocean workforce.

Within the next ten years, Canada’s ocean workforce is expected to experience a significant turnover in employment, with estimates that close to half of the workforce will retire. Funding to address talent needs and create awareness of marine industry jobs was announced on Friday, on behalf of ACOA and Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings. The $170,000 for COMPASS is a non-repayable contribution that will help the non-profit organization assess industry talent needs and prepare younger generations of workers to enter the rapidly evolving marine industry. Through this project, COMPASS will foster and strengthen oceans-related education and digital skills among Newfoundland and Labrador youth to help build a robust and skilled ocean workforce. Minister Hutchings says “Atlantic Canada’s ocean industries are among our strongest assets. This investment will help maximize ocean-related opportunities for our future generations. As the ocean sector continues to grow in our communities and globally, it is very important that we build a skilled workforce to keep the momentum flowing and ensure we remain competitive.”