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Atlantic Canada Supplementwww.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 53contractors and staff working in a range of disciplines. In addition to BIO, Dalhousie University along with the National Research Council Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB), are considered some of the world?s most versatile marine research facilities. All this makes Nova Scotia among the top international centers of excellence in oceans science.We understand that a signiÞ cant Canadian Navy, multi- year, multi-billion contract was awarded to HalifaxÕ Irving Shipbuilding. Can you please put into perspective the impact that this contract will have on the province, on Halifax, and on the entire cluster of companies serving this subsea and maritime sector? We are 17 weeks into a 30-year project. Irving Shipbuilding has started the negotiating process for these contracts with the federal government and it is expected that work on the  rst ship will begin in approximately 2-3 years. It will take time for the impact of this opportunity to be felt across the province. This being said, this is the perfect time for businesses to learn more about how to become prepared to join the supply chain. It is also time for students to think about a career in shipbuilding and workers to think about retraining. This opportunity brings 30 years of sustainable jobs and spin-off opportunities for many more not directly involved in building ships. This announcement is providing momentum for Nova Scotia?s workforce who will now need to access skills, training and learning opportunities that will help them get ready for the direct and indirect jobs the contracts will bring. As part of the bid process, Irving Shipbuilding has demonstrated how it intends to ful ll this contract, and has carefully considered the impact it will have. The company continues to forge important relationships with community colleges and universities to meet the demand for labor, and this on-going process will continue. A variety of Nova Scotia?s oceans technology companies provide for the military, port security, surveillance, and search and rescue activities. Ocean Technology companies operating within the shipbuilding and marine transportation market could see opportunity in developing technology-based, ocean-related products and services for naval architecture, navigation, communications, MTR2 Canada Supplement 49-64.indd 53MTR2 Canada Supplement 49-64.indd 532/23/2012 10:20:07 AM2/23/2012 10:20:07 AM