The Canadian marine transportation sector is in hot water, and it’s not just from the waves. A groundbreaking report, the ‘Canadian Seafarers Pathway Study’, has thrown a spotlight on a critical labour and skills shortage that’s threatening to capsize the industry. By 2029, domestic vessel operators in Canada will need to hire 8,300 new workers, which is a staggering more than 30 percent of its current workforce. This isn’t just a blip on the radar; it’s a full-blown storm that needs immediate attention.
Julia Fields, Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, doesn’t mince words. She warns that ongoing labour shortages onboard Canadian vessels are a serious threat to the sector’s future growth and sustainability. “Without immediate action, the marine sector’s workforce challenges could have far-reaching consequences,” she emphasizes. We’re talking about risks to supply chains and economic stability, folks. This isn’t just about filling jobs; it’s about keeping the economy afloat.
Fabian Lambert, Chair of the Canadian Association of Maritime Training Institutes (CAMTI), echoes this sentiment. He points out that the study brings to light the cumulative factors affecting the sustainable supply and growth of the Canadian seafaring workforce. “We need a coordinated effort,” he insists. This means greater government investment in marine education, more support for students, and meaningful commitments from industry to create inclusive and sustainable pathways for entry into the sector and career advancement.
The study, conducted by R.A. Malatest & Associates, pulls no punches. It reveals that 86 percent of employers are having a tough time recruiting. In 2024 alone, over 3,600 seafaring positions were unfilled. The overall sector job vacancy rate of 11 percent was more than three times higher than the national average for the transportation and warehouse sector. This is a red flag waving in the wind, and it’s high time we pay attention.
The study also shines a light on the fact that marine training institutions, at current enrolment and graduation rates, will only meet 40 percent of the demand for key marine positions. This is a wake-up call for federal and provincial governments to increase support for marine education. We’re talking about enhancing student financial support to reduce barriers to entry, and funding to help marine institutions increase capacity and expand training delivery models.
But it’s not just about filling seats in classrooms. The study also recommends addressing bottlenecks in obtaining sea-time experience. This means the federal government needs to work with marine stakeholders to develop pilot projects to increase opportunities for onboard training. Industry stakeholders should also increase funding for scholarships and bursaries for marine officer cadets, and allocate more resources to pathways that assist and incentivise marine officers and ratings seafarers to upskill and progress their careers.
And let’s not forget about the onboard culture. The study urges employers to build a more positive and inclusive onboard culture. This means improving work-life balance, the onboard living experience, and fostering inclusion and equity at work. We’re talking about establishing employee resource groups, implementing anonymous feedback systems, and creating peer mentorship programs.
The study also highlights the need for the federal government to work with marine stakeholders to develop and implement effective training to prepare the workforce for new technological developments on vessels. We’re living in a time of rapid change, and the marine sector needs to keep up.
So, what does this all mean for the future of the Canadian marine transportation sector? It’s clear that significant changes are needed. We need a coordinated effort from government, industry, and training institutions to address these labour and skills shortages. We need to increase public awareness of marine careers and training pathways. We need to foster a more inclusive and positive onboard culture. And we need to prepare the workforce for the technological changes that are on the horizon.
This report is a call to action. It’s a wake-up call for the Canadian marine transportation sector. The time to act is now. Let’s not let this storm capsize our industry. Let’s steer our ship into calmer waters.