At OSI Maritime Systems’ Burnaby facility, engineers and technicians are busy working on navigation systems for naval ships, anticipating a surge in workload due to Ottawa’s substantial increase in defence spending. The company’s president, Jim Girard, highlighted the current phase as the dawn of a new era.
OSI specializes in constructing advanced ship bridges and navigation systems for various naval forces, including the Royal Canadian Navy. The company has seen significant growth, with its workforce expanding from 265 to around 400 employees in just three years.
Girard expressed optimism about the significant growth potential in Canada over the next decade, driven by the increased defence spending commitment by the federal government to meet NATO’s targets.
The recent federal budget unveiled a $6.6 billion allocation over five years for the forthcoming defence industrial strategy, a move welcomed by shipbuilding and naval technology companies eyeing a bright future.
British Columbia is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the upsurge in defence spending. The province’s “Look West” strategy aims to expedite major projects, enhance skills training, and bolster key sectors, including defence, with a target of securing 35% of federal defence vessel contracts by 2035.
Former federal defence minister Harjit Sajjan is advising B.C. on competing for contracts, emphasizing the need for swift action to seize new opportunities amid the supportive government initiatives.
B.C.’s shipbuilding landscape is evolving rapidly, with federal investments reshaping the industrial scenario. The province’s increased focus on skills training and infrastructure development is aimed at positioning itself favorably in the evolving defence shipbuilding domain.
As B.C. gears up for a potential boom in defence shipbuilding, industry experts emphasize the critical role of investing in workforce training and development to ensure readiness for the anticipated growth.
The province’s recent announcement to double funding for trades training underscores its commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce primed to benefit from the influx of defence spending.