Ocean Connector: Building Canada’s Workforce for the Future

This session will bring together employers, educators, community partners, government, and emerging talent to explore workforce readiness, skills development, and cross-sector collaboration. The discussion will highlight how transferable and parallel skills — such as problem-solving, digital literacy, data awareness, systems thinking, adaptability, communication, and collaboration — enable mobility across industries and support transitions into the broader innovation and technology ecosystem. Pathways into areas such as engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, digital industries, and other emerging technology sectors will be explored, along with the role of upskilling and reskilling in supporting career mobility. The conversation will also emphasize inclusive access to opportunity for Indigenous, Northern, rural, and underrepresented communities. Hosted by COVE, the July 23 Ocean Connector is sponsored by Halifax Partnership and will focus on building a future-ready workforce for Canada’s innovation economy. With thanks to our founding partner, Irving Shipbuilding.