Towards Better Workforce Planning in Shipbuilding: The Study ''Training-Job Matching and Recruitment Prospects'' Commissioned to DDM Group

Longueuil / Quebec City, September 16, 2025—The human resources sectorial committees (CSMOs) of industrial metal manufacturing (PERFORM) and the maritime industry (CSMOIM) announce the selection of Groupe DDM to conduct a strategic study on the alignment between training and labor needs in shipbuilding, maintenance and repair in Quebec.

Firm Selection Criteria

Following a rigorous call for tenders process, the firm was selected based on the relevance of its proposed approach, the quality of its medium- and long-term predictive model, and the innovation and added value of its methodology. In addition, Groupe DDM's proven experience in similar studies, its knowledge of the industrial metal manufacturing and maritime industries, as well as the qualifications of its team and its keen understanding of the issues facing the sector, are all factors that make it the ideal choice to carry out this strategic mandate.

Quotes

''We are extremely proud to take this crucial step in supporting the growth of shipbuilding in Quebec. This strategic study consolidates a structured collaboration between all industry partners, including the training community. Thanks to this initiative, we will be able to anticipate skills development needs, better equip industry players, and support sustainable and innovative growth.''

Carl Boily, Executive Director, PERFORM, and Manou Bernard, Executive Director, CSMOIM

''The choice of firm was based on a rigorous analysis of sector expertise, proposed methodology, and ability to mobilize key players. We have full confidence in their ability to deliver a high-quality study that will inform strategic thinking and the resulting actions to ensure the sector's expansion.''

Study Steering Committee

''Groupe DDM is enthusiastic about contributing its expertise in labor market analysis to this project, which will support a sector that is set to become a major economic pillar for the province in the coming years.''

Raphaël Readman, Director—Economic Studies, Groupe DDM

Study Goals

The study will aim to identify market trends, workforce recruitment, training, and skills development needs, and challenges to be addressed in order to capitalize on the many business opportunities in Quebec related to the growth of shipbuilding, maintenance and repair.

The study is funded by the Quebec government as part of the Intervention-Compétence program and by several other partners in the maritime industry and economic development: Davie, Chantier naval Forillon, Groupe Océan, Investissement Québec, Naval Québec, Québec International and Ville de Lévis. In addition, partners from the higher education and training sector will contribute their expertise to the training component, including the Cégep de Lévis, the Institut maritime du Québec and its Centre de formation aux mesures d'urgence in Lévis, both affiliated with the Cégep de Rimouski, the Centre de services scolaire des Navigateurs and the Université du Québec à Rimouski.

Dissemination of Results

The initial results of this study will be available by the first quarter of 2026 and will be disseminated on the PERFORM and CSMOIM platforms, as well as those of the study partners.

About CSMOs

The human resources sectorial committees (CSMOs) are autonomous organizations recognized as partners of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT). They mainly 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 represented by a CSMO, a targeted and specialized approach that allows for the specific needs of each economic sector to be met.

The CSMOs' main mission is to support businesses and workers in the sector in terms of training, skills development and skills recognition. Their main mandates include coordinating sector-based dialogue, conducting labor market research, identifying workforce issues, developing actions to address them, developing skills, and implementing professional standards.

About PERFORM

PERFORM, the human resources sectorial committee of industrial metal fabrication, is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 whose mission is to promote and strengthen collaboration among various stakeholders in order to train and develop the skills of its workforce. PERFORM's influence extends to the secondary and tertiary metal processing sectors, encompassing sectors related to the manufacture of metal products, machinery, and transportation equipment, excluding those related to aerospace. https://www.comiteperform.ca/fr/

About the CSMOIM

The CSMOIM was founded in 2001. Its mission is to implement innovative strategies that meet the needs of the maritime industry by actively participating in workforce skills development through the mobilization and consultation of employers and workers in the sector. Recognized for its expertise and collaborative initiatives, the CSMOIM also works to promote maritime careers. https://www.csmoim.qc.ca/

Sources:

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

Maggie Perron, CSMOIM
Communications Advisor
[email protected]
418 694-9059 #103