Coast Capital provides foundational support to COAST to launch Blue Pathways, a blue economy training hub
With foundational support from Coast Capital, COAST Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies, is pleased to launch Blue Pathways, a training hub that connects individuals and companies with curated courses and other learning opportunities to drive innovation in the burgeoning blue economy.
As of 2019, Canada’s marine economy generated $39 billion in GDP and encompassed sectors as diverse as marine transportation, data and artificial intelligence, ocean energy, fisheries and aquaculture, recreation and tourism.
The blue economy is projected to soon outpace broader economic growth in Canada by 20 percent. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is galvanizing ocean innovators to achieve a $220 billion ocean economy by 2035.
“The sustainable blue economy’s growth is magnifying the gap between demand and supply when it comes to qualified personnel, enhanced skills, and complementary competencies,” says COAST Executive Director Jason Goldsworthy. “That’s why we developed the Blue Pathways
hub.”
Goldsworthy sees Blue Pathways as a training nexus that brings together traditional and non-traditional training providers, job seekers and employers. ”There’s a shift toward augmenting traditional learning with rapid upskilling, reskilling and co-skilling,” says Goldsworthy. “Blue Pathways will connect workers and businesses to the training they need for a rapidly transforming, technologically-driven industry.”
COAST’s Director of Blue Pathways, Dr. Tom Roemer, has worked to establish an offering that meets employer needs while catering to learner goals—all in service of developing well-rounded, skilled learners ready to accelerate the ocean workforce in BC.
“In our fast-paced world, new disciplines constantly emerge at the interface of existing industry sectors and the blue economy is a prime example. Today, training for applied careers has to be competency-based and modular; credits need to be transferable and stackable towards larger credentials; and delivery must be flexible. The Blue Pathways initiative assembles an increasing portfolio of courses and activities that fulfil these expectations.”
Coast Capital is a Founding Partner of Blue Pathways and has been involved since the ideation and creation of the initiative. “Driven by our purpose to Build Better Futures Together by unlocking financial opportunities, Coast Capital is thrilled to support COAST as a Founding Partner of the Blue Pathways Training Hub,” said Tanya Smith, Senior Manager Social Purpose Ecosystems at Coast Capital. “We’re dedicated to supporting programs that equip individuals and businesses in Canada with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to enhance their earning potential and grow their incomes. We also acknowledge the undeniable impacts of climate change and are committed to being part of the solution. That’s why Coast Capital is proud to support the Blue Pathways Training Hub, which not only fosters economic growth but also promotes the health of our ocean ecosystems.”.
To learn more about Blue Pathways visit canadacoast.ca/blue-pathways.