Connecting Coastal Classrooms to Ocean Science Technology

  • Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
  • Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

January 12, 2018

Atlantic Canada’s ocean technology industry is home to world-renowned institutions and innovative businesses which are creating jobs and helping to grow the region’s economy. With support from the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, secondary school students will learn about careers in dynamic ocean-related industries through three new hands-on programs being offered by Oceans Learning Partnership Inc.

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, and the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, announced a total contribution of $313,428 from the Provincial Government for this initiative. Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a non-repayable contribution of $141,098 from ACOA’s Business Development Program.

Oceans Learning Partnership Inc. delivers hands-on ocean science technology and career exploration learning programs to students and teachers in coastal regions. These investments support a summer internship program for high school students; an enrichment program focussed on marine data collection and remote monitoring; and an online mentorship program connecting students to real-world projects.

Through this pilot initiative, Oceans Learning Partnership Inc. will offer educational programs to more students in rural areas such as Clarenville, Harbour Grace, Norris Point and Harbour Breton, as well as to Indigenous students in Coast of Bays on the province’s south coast and in Bay of Islands on the west coast.

This investment supports the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan to build a better Canada where everyone has the jobs, skills and learning to solve global challenges and strengthen communities. The plan ensures that Canadians have the skills needed to seize new opportunities and succeed in a growing economy.

This investment also supports commitments made by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through The Way Forward: Realizing Our Potential to enhance regional innovation, and develop industries with high growth potential, such as ocean technology.

Quotes “Newfoundland and Labrador is a world leader in ocean science technology, providing access to world-renowned training institutions with extensive infrastructure and research capabilities, and innovative businesses serving niche markets around the globe. This initiative supports our efforts to maintain a highly-skilled workforce by ensuring high school students learn about the exciting educational and employment opportunities available right here in ocean industries.” Honourable Al Hawkins Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“The Ocean Learning Partnership is a great initiative to expose students and teachers to innovative opportunities in the vast and ever-expanding oceans technology industry. We are striving to build a skilled workforce, improve our global competitiveness and create well-paying jobs. These priorities are also demonstrated as we work with the rest of Atlantic Canada to be the home of a strong ocean cluster. Programs offered by the Ocean Learning Partnership play a role in this, as today’s investment helps to foster, strengthen and develop our oceans education in Newfoundland and Labrador as we make a significant difference in enhancing productivity and competitiveness in many rural communities across our province.” Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“Oceans Learning Partnership Inc. offers students a unique opportunity to explore science and technology fields through real-world learning activities. This initiative aligns well with our government’s focus on making Canada a world leader in innovation by building capacity and maximizing the potential of our people, businesses and communities.” Honourable Navdeep Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

“The Government of Canada recognizes that each region of our country has unique strengths, and in Atlantic Canada the ocean technology industry continues to fuel innovation and create economic opportunities. Through this initiative, Oceans Learning Partnership Inc. is helping to meet the growing needs of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean technology sector by creating interest in this field at the junior and high school levels.” Nick Whalen Member of Parliament for St. John’s East

“Interns will be engaged in hands-on fieldwork, job shadowing in host companies and working on real-world projects with research scientists and professionals in industries such as aquaculture, ocean technology, shipbuilding and marine tourism. Through these dynamic learning experiences, young people in the province will gain practical and marketable skills and get exposed directly to a range of careers and entrepreneurial ventures in the oceans sector.” Leslie Grattan Interim Chair, Oceans Learning Partnership Inc.

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Learn More Oceans Learning Partnership, Coastal Explorers – coastalexplorers.net/

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Media contacts Ryan Crocker Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-1795, 725-9595 RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca Eric Humber Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation 709-729-4819, 725-9655 EricHumber@gov.nl.ca Paul McGrath ACOA NL 709-772-2984 Paul.McGrath@canada.ca Maria G. Giovannini Oceans Learning Partnership Inc. 709-746-4252 mariag@olp.oceansnl.net

2018 01 12 9:15 am