National Shipbuilding Academy
Canada's shipbuilding industry is vital to our economy, national security and marine industrial capacity. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is renewing federal fleets, strengthening the marine industry and supporting the skilled workforce needed to build and maintain vessels.
The National Shipbuilding Academy (NSA) helps Canadians explore careers in shipbuilding and ship repair, and find training and education opportunities to build new skills or advance existing ones.
The Academy also supports Canada’s commitment to the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact Academy by helping develop the workforce needed for future Arctic and polar shipbuilding. Through partnerships with industry, educational institutions and governments, the NSA promotes training in occupations that are in high demand across Canada’s shipbuilding sector.
On this page
- About the Academy
- Workforce development priorities
- Occupations in demand
- Programs and courses
- Contact us
About the Academy
The NSA is a workforce development initiative that supports the growth of Canada's shipbuilding and ship repair workforce.
The Academy helps:
- promote training and education opportunities related to shipbuilding and marine industries
- raise awareness of careers in shipbuilding and ship repair
- support workforce development partnerships across Canada
- encourage collaboration between governments, industry and educational institutions
- identify and promote training pathways for occupations in demand
The Academy will continue to expand as more educational institutions, industry partners and workforce development organizations contribute programs, courses and learning opportunities.
Workforce development priorities
Canada's shipbuilding industry needs skilled workers in trades, technical occupations, engineering and management. A strong workforce is essential to support shipbuilding and vessel maintenance now and in the future.
Current workforce development efforts focus on:
- attracting more people to shipbuilding careers
- supporting apprenticeships and professional certifications
- strengthening engineering and naval architecture expertise
- encouraging continuous learning and skills development
- increasing awareness of shipbuilding career opportunities across Canada
Occupations in demand
The following occupations are among those currently in demand across Canada's shipbuilding and ship repair industry:
- assemblers
- boilermakers
- carpenters
- construction millwrights
- contractors and supervisors
- cost estimators
- engineering technicians
- industrial electricians
- industrial mechanics
- ironworkers and metal fabricators
- industrial painters
- inspectors
- labourers in manufacturing
- managers
- marine engineers
- material handlers
- mechanics
- naval architects
- procurement specialists
- project managers
- quality assurance analysts
- steamfitters and pipefitters
- welders
Programs and courses
The NSA highlights training opportunities offered by educational institutions and workforce development partners across Canada.
Training pathways include:
- entry-level skilled trades training
- apprenticeships and certifications
- engineering and technical programs
- marine engineering and marine systems training
- leadership and professional development opportunities
The Academy supports workforce development by promoting available training opportunities and working with partners to help address skills and training gaps across the industry.
Visit the NSA programs and courses to explore educational programs and training opportunities recognized under the Academy framework. The inventory includes programs related to:
- shipbuilding
- engineering
- naval architecture
- manufacturing and skilled trades
- project management
The programs range from introductory sector training to advanced professional certifications and industry-specific learning for career development.
Contact us
To learn more about participation opportunities, contact us at: spac.dgamdpactebg-icepactdmpb.pspc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca