Jobs await Filipino workers at Canadian shipyard

MANILA, Philippines – Potential jobs await Filipinos at a shipyard in Canada which was awarded a 30-year contract to build warships for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Officials of Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI), the largest shipbuilder in Canada with headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, hinted at the jobs to a Philippine team that visited the area last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

ISI conveyed “keen interest” in “exploring possible synergies in a variety of sectors and services with the Philippines,” according to the foreign office.

“ISI indicated that the Filipino work ethic is known worldwide and noted fine standards as evident in ships that have come to dock in Halifax that were built by Filipinos,” the DFA said.

It added that Tim Brownlow, director of government affairs and business development, credited the advanced skills and experience of its workers for clinching the Royal Navy project and acknowledged the work ethic of Filipino crew members he has had to personally work with.

ISI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canadian industrial conglomerate J.D. Irving, Ltd. It was awarded in October 2011 a $25-billion, 30-year contract by the Canadian federal government to build 23 warships for the Royal Canadian Navy as part its National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.

Philippine Ambassador Leslie Gatan, who led the visiting economic diplomacy team, voiced optimism the Philippines and Nova Scotia can come up with mutually beneficial arrangements.

Gatan cited the emerging position of the Philippines as a shipbuilding country and the established tradition of excellence of Halifax in the field.

“Both parties are expected to determine and finalize various areas of collaboration and cooperation in services and manufacturing soon,” the DFA said.