Seaspan Shipyards collaborates with BC Tech to grow diverse tech talent pool in British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia Aug 31, 2021 (Issuewire.com) – Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has announced a collaboration with BC Tech to support the association’s Digital Lift program. The new program provides skilled individuals, including those from under-represented groups, with reskilling and hands-on internship experiences. 

Seaspan’s three-year, $75,000 investment in BC Tech’s Digital Lift program will help grow and diversify the pool of tech talent in BC to meet the rising demand for technology skills across multiple sectors, including the marine industry. Advanced digital technologies and systems are a rapidly growing part of modern shipbuilding and ship repair/overhaul and are driving the need for more tech talent in the marine space. 

The internships aim to help Indigenous people, women, rural youth, and mid-career transitioning workers gain real-world experience through four-month, paid, virtual internships at major technology or technology-enabled companies in the province.   

The investment is part of Seaspan’s Value Proposition commitments under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The NSS is successfully re-establishing robust domestic shipbuilding and marine industrial sector in BC and across Canada. 

QUOTES 

“BC Tech’s innovative, industry-led Digital Lift program is driven by the purpose and enthusiasm of our consortium partners, like Seaspan Shipyards. We are thrilled to see that they are determined, as we are, to build a more diverse and inclusive tech sector by welcoming talent from under-represented groups into our industry with impactful programs.” – Jill Tipping, President & CEO, BC Tech Association 

“Advanced digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D visualization, and digital twinning are revolutionizing how we build and maintain ships. Seaspan Shipyards is pleased to participate in the Digital Lift program, which will help develop tech talent that we will need in the future as the marine industry continues its exciting digital transformation.” – Dave Hargreaves, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Seaspan Shipyards