Association for British Columbia Marine Industries print

6 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 4 ASSOC I AT ION OF BR I T I SH COLUMB I A MAR INE INDUSTR I ES and learn about the industry in general and what jobs they might want to start thinking about. The association also supports career events working with the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy on recruiting efforts. “We actively want to connect with candidates about jobs that they may be interested in,” says Rueben, who adds that another target demographic is “new Canadians.” He adds, “we work collectively with organizations like the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation and the Western Marine Community Coalition to connect with groups and employers in the marine industry.” While a good portion of the ABCMI’s recent efforts has been on industry retention and recruitment, it also creates resources and spreads education about other relevant topics of interest as well. Many of its events are designed to spread knowledge around the industry to its professionals so that they are more informed on resources that can help their businesses scale-up and build market-share for their products and services. A second objective is sector strategy. Working in partnership with the Government of British Columbia, ABCMI will assist in the refinement and implementation of a sector strategy that enhances the capabilities and reach of the province’s industrial marine sector. One of many examples is a collaboration between the association and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. This is an industry-led, national ocean cluster that’s growing the ocean economy in a digital, sustainable, and inclusive way. The supercluster works with ABCMI and other industry groups to gather startups, scale-ups, as well as mature organizations from coast-to-coast across the fishery, aquaculture, bioresources, offshore resources, marine renewables, ocean technology, and more to foster new partnerships and innovative projects built on collaboration. It is designed to advance Canada’s position as a global leader in ocean technology and commerce. Supply chain development is another objective. ABCMI assists in broadening British Columbia’s marine supply chain, focusing on areas in which the sector can be internationally, nationally, and locally competitive. Fortunately, many association members have not experienced an overwhelmingly negative supply chain impact since the COVID pandemic, but establishing relationships and building new networks remains a goal. BCMI creates services and benefits expected by members and works to deliver the value that supports members’ continued participation in the Association. ABCMI also works with organizations across Canada that have an interest in furthering the Canadian blue economy. For example, ABCMI works with Oceans Advance, the Newfoundland and Labrador ocean technology trade group to collaborate on workforce development solutions or advances in ocean technology that bring together the many stakeholders in the Canadian marine sector The goals of that organization are similar to those of ABCMI, and sharing of resources is extremely useful to both parties.