20 May 2025

Shipbuilding in Quebec: Call for Tenders for a Strategic Workforce Study

Longueuil / Quebec City, May 20, 2025—In the wake of recent massive investments in shipbuilding in Quebec, the sectorial human resources committees (CSMO) of the industrial metal fabrication (PERFORM) and the maritime industry (CSMOIM) announce the joint launch of a call for tenders for an in-depth study pf the workforce in the shipbuilding, maintenance and repair sector.

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with a number of partners with an interest in shipbuilding and its opportunities, aims to identify job market trends, recruitment needs, skills requirements and challenges to be overcome in the short, medium and long term. The results will be used to adjust training, recruitment and skills development strategies, and to define concrete actions aimed at ensuring a qualified and available workforce ready to support the sector's growth. This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Quebec government under the Intervention-Compétence program, as well as financial contributions from other study partners.

In the Face of Predicted Growth, an Assessment of the State of the Workforce Is Essential

Over the past few decades, the closure of several shipyards in Quebec has led to job losses and weakened the supply chain. Nevertheless, in 2023, the Davie yard was integrated as the third player in the National Shipbuilding Strategy, designed to modernize and strengthen the sector through major investments to stimulate innovation and ensure strategic autonomy in Canadian shipbuilding.

With the announcement of $3.25 billion in financing to Davie, Canada's largest shipbuilder, for the construction of a polar icebreaker—a project that will generate ~2,000 jobs, including 1,000 directly at the shipyard and a further 1,000 among Quebec suppliers—the shipbuilding sector is poised for promising growth. The expertise of other shipyards, such as Chantier naval Forillon and Groupe Océan, which already have contracts in the National Strategy, will also contribute to this growth and revitalization of the sector.

In addition, upcoming investments such as the ICE PACT strategic partnership, an agreement between the USA, Finland and Canada involving the production of new equipment including polar vessels, also open the way to unprecedented expansion prospects. The geopolitical uncertainties engendered by the trade war with the United States could also benefit shipbuilding in Canada and Quebec, reinforcing the country's willingness to invest in defense using local companies and know-how.

However, the current workforce context remains a major challenge. Consequently, an accurate picture of the current and future state of the workforce is crucial is the sector is to take full advantage of growth opportunities. As shipbuilding is defined as a sector emcompassing both industrial metal fabrication (IMF) and the marine industry, two CSMOs—PERFORM and CSMOIM—will co-pilot the study.

The Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity (MESS), and several key players in the maritime industry and economic development, will also be taking part in this project. These include the Davie, Chantier naval Forillon, Groupe Océan, Investissement Québec, Naval Québec, Québec International and the Ville de Lévis. Furthermore, partners from the worlds of higher education and training will be providing their expertise to the training component of the study, including the Cégep de Lévis, the Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ) and its Centre de formation aux mesures d'urgence (CFMU) in Lévis, both affiliated with the Cégep de Rimouski, the Centre de services scolaire des Navigateurs and the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR).

IMF and Maritime Industry Trades at the Heart of a Regional Analysis

The study will focus on direct and indirect specialized trades in the IMF sector—welders, machinists, industrial painters, mechanics, pipefitters, etc.—and in the maritime industry—captains and deck officers, ship electrotechnicians/electricians, marine chief engineers and officers, naval architecture technologists, etc.—and, in a second phase, those that will be affected by the growth of shipbuilding activities.

The study will cover the province of Quebec, with a particular focus on the regions and municipalities along the St. Lawrence River corridor—Gaspésie, Saguenay, Chaudière-Appalaches, Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Montreal, Sorel-Tracy. in terms of documentary research and mapping of shipbuilding practices, the study will extend beyond Quebec to include relevant comparisons.

Proposal Submission

The deadline for submission of proposals is June 13, 2025. The full tender document is available by clicking here.

Quotes

''I am proud to support this project, which focuses on developing skils and adapting practices. It represents a major step forward for the shipbuilding industry. Our gouvernment is helping to equip companies with the knowledge they need to meet the industry's new challenges. It is by focusing on expertise, training and innovation that we will strengthen the future of this strategic sector.''

Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region

''The growth of the shipbuilding industry, in Lévis as elsewhere in Quebec, is an excellent opportunity to boost our econonomy and create quality jobs. Our vocational training centers are ready to help train students for the industry's specific needs. We are already taking action, but the work of the working committee will enable us to go even further. I salute the commitment of our school service centers on the committee, who have the expertise needed to train our younger people in the specialized trades of this sector. In this way, we will help ensure a qualified next generation of workers and support the growth of a sector that is strategic for Quebec.''

Bernard Drainville, Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region

''With partnership and consultation at the heart of its DNA, PERFORM is delighted to be co-piloting this study. The study will provide a clearer picture of manpower needs, training requirements and the strategies to be put in place to materialize these business opportunities in Quebec. This survey takes place against a backdrop of labour shortages affecting several skilled trades in the metal fabrication industry. These trades are essential to the growth of the shipbuilding industry, as well as to ship repair and maintenance. Because this growth relies on the mobilization of an entire ecosystem, it is becoming imperative to define a sectorial vision that will capitalize on the complementary vision of the players.''

Carl Boily, General Director, PERFORM

''Recent announcements of investments in the shipbuilding industry and in maintenance and repair services, which are equally essential to support the supply chain, offer an exceptional opportunity to revitalize the maritime industry. By launching this in-depth workforce study, we aim to identify the needs and skills required to support this dynamic growth. Our ambition is to support the sectors and sustain the work leading to ensuring a skilled workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the future.''

Manou Bernard, General Director, CSMOIM

''We are delighted to be able to contribute to this study, and to assist its bearers as members of its advisory committee. By focusing on complementarity rather than competitiveness, we support the idea that a global vision for Quebec's shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry and a coordinated approach of training will benefit everyone and Quebec's economic development.''

Davie, Chantier naval Forillon, Groupe Océan, Investissement Québec, Naval Québec, Québec International and the Ville de Lévis

About CSMOs

Sectorial human resources committees (CSMOs) are autonomous organizations recognized as partners of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT). They bring together representatives of employers and workers in their sector of activity. The province's economy has been strategically divided into 29 distinct sectors of activity, each of which is represented by a CSMO, a targeted, specialized approach to meeting the specific needs of each economic sector.

The main mission of the CSMOs is to support companies and the workforce in their sector in terms of training, skills development and recognition. Their main mandates include coordinating sector partners, conducting labor market research, identifying workforce issues and developing actions to address them, developing skills and deploying occupational standards.

About PERFORM

PERFORM, the sectorial human resources committee of the industrial metal fabrication industry (IMF), is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 whose mission is to promote and strengthen collaboration between various players with a view to training and developing the skills of its workforce. PERFORM's influence extends to the secondary and tertiary metalworking sectors, including those involved in the manufacture of metal products, machinery and transportation equipment, but excluding aerospace.

About CSMOIM

The CSMOIM was founded in 2001. Its mission is to deploy innovative strategies that meet the needs of the maritime industry, by actively participating in the development of workforce skills through the mobilization and cooperation of employers and workers in the sector. Recognized for its expertise and concerted initiatives, the CSMOIM also works to promote maritime careers.

Source:

Damien Wipf, PERFORM
Communications Advisor
[email protected]
450 812-0300 #4