December 12, 2025 (Halifax) — Techsploration and Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) are proud to announce a new four-year, $789,000 partnership supporting the creation of a Marine Industry Division (MID) within Techsploration’s award-winning program for young women and gender diverse youth in Grades 9 through 12. This initiative, running from 2026 to 2029, will help reduce the gender gap in the marine sector and strengthen the pipeline of female and gender-diverse talent entering Skilled Trades and STEM careers.
Utilizing Techsploration’s core program model, the MID will engage approximately 225 female and gender diverse youth from eight Nova Scotia schools, predominantly drawn from the HRM and surrounding region. An additional 4,000+ youth will be reached over four years through MID-themed conferences, school presentations, outreach activities, and guest attendance at MID events.
Career exploration content across both the MID Grade 9 Program and MID Alumnae Conferences (grades 10-12) will be marine-focused. All participating team role models and keynote speakers—and at least half of guest role models and workshops—will represent STEM and skilled trades careers from within the marine sector, ensuring authentic exposure for program participants. This is the first time Techsploration has provided a sectoral-specific theme at this scale within its program.
Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy Value Proposition, ISI is committed to investing 0.5% of contract value in research and initiatives to support a vibrant and sustainable marine industry in Canada.
“Canada’s marine industry depends on a skilled and diverse workforce. Rapid growth in our sector and region means that increasing the participation of women in STEM and skilled trades is critical. Techsploration provides an important platform to inspire and prepare young women for these careers. We are proud to support this initiative to develop the workforce of the future.”
Nadine O’Neill, Vice President, Human Resources, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Techsploration alumna and Irving Shipbuilding Apprentice Pipefitter Victoria Henneberry knows firsthand the impact of Techsploration’s mentorship and representation:
“As a Techsploration student in 2012, I had role models who were tradeswomen with Irving Shipbuilding who ignited the spark in me to pursue a career in the skilled trades,” said Henneberry. “I am so proud to now be working as part of the Irving Shipbuilding team, and to be giving back to Techsploration by mentoring a new class of young women.”
“Irving Shipbuilding has been a steadfast partner to Techsploration for many years, providing role models, scholarships, and support that reflect their deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility,” said Techsploration Executive Director, Janet Stalker. “We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Irving Shipbuilding, introducing a dedicated Marine Industry Division within our core program that will open even more doors for young women and gender-diverse youth to explore high-demand Skilled Trades and STEM careers in Nova Scotia’s growing marine sector. Together, we are helping build a more equitable, resilient, and representative marine workforce for the future.”
For more than 27 years, Techsploration has provided meaningful, mentor-led programming that supports young women+ considering post-secondary pathways and careers in Skilled Trades and STEM fields.