Mohawk College in Hamilton has established a new international collaboration that will allow students to gain skills in shipbuilding and marine industries at the Ontario Shipyards site in Hamilton.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at its campus located on Fennel Avenue West.
This partnership involves Hanwha Ocean and Great Lakes shipbuilder Ontario Shipyards, which also revealed a distinct initiative aimed at enhancing “large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario.”
Hanwha Ocean, a major South Korean firm known for building submarines and other naval vessels among various contracts, will share expertise and resources with Ontario Shipyards following the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Ontario Shipyards is a private company focused on ship repair, operating in cities such as Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Thunder Bay.
Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha subsidiary Hanwha Defence Canada, told CBC Hamilton that the new partnership is valued at “tens of tens of millions of dollars,” though he did not specify how much each partner would invest in the project.
The initiative aims to enhance Canada’s entire marine sector over the next decade, according to Hanwha Ocean CEO Charles Kim, who traveled from South Korea for this announcement.
This news follows an announcement from the federal government about a new defense strategy that prioritizes purchasing from Canadian defense manufacturers.
The reported that during a news conference earlier on Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Ottawa to expand navy shipbuilding within Ontario and provide work specifically to Ontario Shipyards.
Canada unveils ‘Build at Home’ defence industrial strategyThe federal government has rolled out its ‘Build at Home’ defence industrial strategy shifting away from excessive dependence on U. S. and other foreign suppliers making locally manufactured military equipment standard practice.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle labeled it as “exactly the kind of partnership” sought after by Canada’s fresh defence strategy.
Copeland associated with Hanwha subsidiary shared plans indicating starting summer , his firm intends bringing personnel from Ontario Shipyards over to South Korea while reciprocally facilitating movement back.
Hanwha Ocean is concurrently engaged on creating up-to twelve submarines intended for Royal Canadian Navy. Copeland stated delivery for first unit should arrive by year 2032.
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Opportunities for around 1,000 students: Mohawk
Hanwha Ocean will assist in developing a 35-meter naval training and recruitment vessel that Ontario Shipyards plans to construct in 2026. The two companies also signed a letter of intent with Mohawk to establish a shipbuilding training hub in Hamilton. This program will be similar to the college’s longstanding collaboration with KF Aerospace at Hamilton airport. It aims to develop specialized shipbuilding certifications and credentials, stated college president Paul Armstrong. Additionally, it will support apprenticeships and co-op programs along with research in automation, robotics, and manufacturing. The three-way partnership with the college will include programming across trades like welding, electrical work, millwrighting, marine mechanics, robotics, and logistics. No set timeline exists for when students might begin working at the shipyard; however, Armstrong informed CBC Hamilton it could take about one year to 18 months. He mentioned that once fully operational, this partnership may impact between 1,000 and 1,200 students across various programs. In November 2024, Mohawk announced facing a $50-million deficit leading to multiple job cuts and program reductions carried out over several months. Armstrong expressed his commitment back then – focusing on “education and training related to what employers need” – is evident through this shipbuilding agreement.Partnership fits government’s defence strategy; MP says
At Mohawk on Wednesday , Hamilton Mountain MPP Monica Ciriello attended on behalf of the premier. She spoke highly about this partnership calling it an effort that will shape the marine industry for “generations to come.” Sean Padulo , CEO of Ontario Shipyards remarked his brother served in Canadian Forces emphasizing how vital shipbuilding is for providing people like him necessary equipment ensuring they have “the best chance of coming home safely.” St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe along with Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath were present as well. Horwath described these partnerships as “magic for us” asserting they’ll help propel Hamilton into Canada’s upcoming industrial revolution.WATCH | Federal government announces new defence strategy:
Canada unveils ‘Build at Home’ defence industrial strategyThe federal government has rolled out its ‘Build at Home’ defence industrial strategy shifting away from excessive dependence on U. S. and other foreign suppliers making locally manufactured military equipment standard practice.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle labeled it as “exactly the kind of partnership” sought after by Canada’s fresh defence strategy.
Copeland associated with Hanwha subsidiary shared plans indicating starting summer , his firm intends bringing personnel from Ontario Shipyards over to South Korea while reciprocally facilitating movement back.
Hanwha Ocean is concurrently engaged on creating up-to twelve submarines intended for Royal Canadian Navy. Copeland stated delivery for first unit should arrive by year 2032.
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