Why Maritime engineers are in high demand in Canada

For over 25 years, Canadians have dedicated the month of March to celebrating engineering excellence. This year’s theme for National Engineering Month - ‘there is a place for you’ - has been chosen to encourage anyone who’s interested in engineering to find their niche in the industry.

So what engineering jobs are there in Canada? 

Engineering opportunities in Canada are rife, particularly if you’re a marine engineer. The design and construction of naval vessels for the Canadian government, including six arctic offshore and 15 surface combatants, has created a huge demand for engineers, production staff and senior leadership professionals. Since Canada hasn’t built ships on this scale for two decades, the country is lacking the high number of skilled workers with proven shipbuilding experience it needs. As with many other engineering sectors, the maritime industry in Canada also faces the challenge posed by an ageing workforce, which further complicates the skills shortage.

To meet the demand for experienced engineers, Canada is extending its search internationally. Employers are trying to build a legacy within country and by bringing in experience from all over the world they are building on their own expertise for the future of the maritime shipbuilding industry in Canada. Hiring employers are therefore welcoming applications from people across the globe and are offering relocation support for successful candidates and their families, including visas. 

Employers are looking for skills from initial design to construction and delivery, which includes the need for engineers, production staff and senior leadership professionals throughout each stage of seniority. Degree-qualified engineers, and candidates with a proven track record in the construction of new build naval vessels, are also in high demand.

These international hires will complement and add to the existing talent pool of engineers in Canada, allowing the younger Canadian engineers to gain invaluable experience working with skilled engineers from a range of different countries.

Matchtech recruits people from all over the world to work in Canada and to date has found jobs for people from over 20 different nationalities, including those from the USA, Australia, the Philippines and many countries in Europe.

If you’re a maritime professional interested in working in Canada, take a look at our current job opportunities in Canada for the Canadian National Shipbuilding Strategy.