Mohawk College in Hamilton has established a fresh global collaboration allowing students to gain expertise in shipbuilding and marine industries at the Ontario Shipyards facility in Hamilton. The declaration was made by Mohawk at its location on Fennel Avenue West. This partnership involves Hanwha Ocean and Great Lakes shipbuilder Ontario Shipyards, with a focus on boosting large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario. Hanwha Ocean, a prominent South Korean company known for constructing submarines and naval vessels, has signed a memorandum of understanding to share knowledge and resources with Ontario Shipyards.
Ontario Shipyards, a private ship repair company operating in Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Thunder Bay, is part of this initiative. Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha subsidiary Hanwha Defence Canada, stated that the partnership holds a substantial value, estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. The collaboration aims to enhance Canada’s marine sector comprehensively over the next decade, as expressed by Hanwha Ocean CEO Charles Kim.
The announcement follows the recent unveiling of a new defense strategy by the federal government, emphasizing procurement from Canadian defense manufacturers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Ottawa to expand navy shipbuilding in Ontario during a news conference, advocating specifically for work to be directed towards Ontario Shipyards.
Mohawk College anticipates providing opportunities for approximately 1,000 students through this partnership. Hanwha Ocean will assist in creating a naval training and recruitment vessel in 2026, while also planning to establish a shipbuilding training center in Hamilton in collaboration with Mohawk. The program will offer specialized shipbuilding certifications, apprenticeships, and research in various fields such as automation and robotics. The partnership with the college will encompass training in trades like welding, electrical work, marine mechanics, and logistics.
Mohawk’s President, Paul Armstrong, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the college’s commitment to meeting industry requirements. As per Armstrong, the partnership is expected to impact around 1,000 to 1,200 students across multiple programs once fully operational. There is no definite timeline for student involvement at the shipyard, but Armstrong estimated it could begin within a year to 18 months.
The collaboration received praise from various dignitaries attending the event, including Hamilton Mountain MPP Monica Ciriello, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, and Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. The partnership was lauded as a significant step towards defining the future of the marine industry for generations to come.
In conclusion, the partnership aligns well with the government’s defense strategy, as noted by St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle. The collaboration is seen as a crucial component in advancing Canada’s defense industry, with plans for future submarine construction for the Royal Canadian Navy already in progress.