The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, in partnership with Canadian Geographic Education, proudly announces the launch of Marine Month in Canada, a ground-breaking initiative designed to illuminate the boundless career pathways within Canada’s marine sector.
Throughout October 2023, this month-long celebration will immerse youth in marine education, awareness, and career pathways as students connect directly with marine industry experts nationwide. Marine Month in Canada seeks to break down barriers and showcase opportunities for anyone interested in the possibility of a future in the marine sector. Participation in Marine Month is free, and while this program has been designed for Grades 5 to 8, all learners are welcome!
Canada’s abundance of vast coastline and freshwater has nurtured an array of marine industries, fostering economic growth, job creation, and innovation across the country. Marine Month in Canada was inspired by the recognition that while young Canadians hold a positive impression of marine employment as engaging, fulfilling, and environmentally impactful, they remain largely unaware of the myriad career paths available. Opportunities abound on board vessels, in ports and harbours, ship and boat yards, research facilities and offices. The marine sector employs Canadians with interests and skills in just about everything from navigation, engineering, the environment, and technology to security, logistics, business, professional services, government, tourism and trades.
To spark curiosity, Canadian Geographic Education and the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation are inviting young Canadians to learn more about the careers, sustainability initiatives, advanced technologies, adventures and fulfilling futures that are possible when you Imagine Marine. Marine Month in Canada brings the sector to life through collaborative activities and live virtual presentations from team members from Marine Month’s partner organizations: Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, Algoma Central Corporation, Canada Steamship Lines, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., Marine Atlantic, Ocean Group, and British Columbia Coast Pilots. Students will get to see real world examples of how marine transportation connects to the history, geography, science and engineering lessons they learn every day in the classroom – and ask marine professionals all about their careers!
“Marine employment, spanning more than 100,000 skilled workers and professionals across Canada, stands at a crucial juncture. With 43 percent of the workforce set to retire in the next decade, we have thousands of vital roles to fill. The marine sector, with its extensive coastline and waterways, plays an enduring role in shaping our nation, and Marine Month in Canada aims to reveal how it influences our lives every day,” says Julia Fields, Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation.
Visit the Marine Month in Canada website (https://cangeoeducation.ca/en/marine-month/) or contact the staff at Canadian Geographic Education at info@cangeoeducation.ca for updates and more information about the live virtual presentations from marine industry experts.
(Photo from Ocean Group)
