Georgian College and the Royal Canadian Navy announced an agreement Thursday to build education and career pathways between the two institutions, drawing on the college’s marine training capacity at its Owen Sound Campus.
The Memorandum of Collaboration was announced from Barrie, where Georgian is headquartered. The college identifies its Centre for Marine Training and Research at the Owen Sound Campus as the source of the expertise the agreement relies on, listing Marine Emergency Duties, basic seamanship, marine engineering and navigation.
What each side committed to
The Navy agreed to give Georgian recruiters and students expanded access to information about Canadian Armed Forces and Navy career opportunities, to work with the college on experiential learning involving serving members, and to explore training, refresher and upskilling opportunities for reservists and active service members. The Navy will assign a liaison officer.
Georgian agreed to support prior learning assessments and advanced standing for Armed Forces and Navy members, to collaborate on experiential learning, to enable work-integrated learning aligned with naval occupations, and to designate its own liaison officer for military-connected students.
The agreement sets up a working group and provides a framework for joint communications, subject to approval by both parties.
Recruitment pressure behind the agreement
The college points to a National Marine Workforce Development Strategy released in May 2026 and developed in coordination with the Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. According to Georgian, that strategy says the Navy needs to grow by more than 3,000 personnel to meet its defence mandate, and identifies partnerships with marine training institutions as part of expanding workforce capacity.
The Navy describes its current strength as roughly 8,400 Regular Force members, 4,100 reservists across 24 Naval Reserve Divisions, and 3,800 civilian staff.
Georgian also cites Ontario’s marine transportation strategy, The Future of the Great Lakes Economy, which includes a focus on promoting marine careers and building a talent pipeline.
What it builds on
The college says the agreement builds on cadet placements aboard Navy vessels that let students complete required sea time, and creates opportunities to build on the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan. Georgian says the approach offers a pathway for students in its Marine Engineering and Marine Navigation programs.
Georgian president and CEO Kevin Weaver said the college is proud to work with the Navy on marine workforce pathways, and described Georgian as a responsive partner in meeting Canada’s marine training needs.
Captain (N) Geoff Hamilton, Commander Naval Reserve Central Region, said the agreement is a step toward strengthening Canada’s marine and naval workforce, and said Georgian’s marine training expertise and commitment to experiential learning make it a suitable partner.
The Navy agreement follows a memorandum of collaboration Georgian signed in March with Canadian Forces Base Borden and the Military Personnel Generation Training Group, covering access to postsecondary education, recognition of prior learning, and support for serving members, veterans and families moving into civilian careers.
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