Ocean Connector: Building Canada’s Workforce for the Future

Hosted by COVE and sponsored by Halifax Partnership, this Ocean Connector will focus on building a future-ready workforce for Canada’s innovation economy.

As industries adapt to rapid technological change and evolving skill demands, the 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 the importance of transferable skills—such as problem-solving, digital literacy, adaptability, communication, and systems thinking—in enabling mobility across industries and supporting career transitions.

Participants will also examine pathways into sectors including engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and digital industries, along with the role of upskilling and reskilling in strengthening career mobility. A key focus will be ensuring inclusive access to opportunity for Indigenous, Northern, rural, and underrepresented communities.

COVE’s Ocean Connector series is proudly supported by founding partner Irving Shipbuilding Inc.