New Program Focuses on Careers in Seafood Industry
A computer screen at a seafood processing facility is pictured. New classroom resources for students in grades 7-12 will help them learn about the seafood sector and careers in the industry. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
The new Coast to Classroom program will introduce students across the province to Nova Scotia’s seafood industry and the diverse career opportunities connected to it.
Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced the program today, June 2, at Shelburne Regional High School. The classroom resources will be available provincewide this fall to help students better understand the role the ocean plays in the province’s economy, environment and way of life.
“Programs like Coast to Classroom help youth explore opportunities in our seafood sector. They build skills, introduce students to career paths and deepen understanding of the important role coastal communities play in our province,” said Minister Smith. “With so many people in this region working in the seafood industry, this program makes good sense for the students and for local communities.”
Coast to Classroom gives teachers ready-to-use resources for grades 7 to 12 that can be used across more than 100 courses in the public school system. The materials support curriculum outcomes through lesson plans, activities and virtual tools. They help students learn about Nova Scotia’s coastal resources, marine ecosystems, sustainable seafood practices and the many careers connected to fisheries and aquaculture, from harvesting and processing to ocean technology and related fields.
For example, students might take part in a virtual field trip to an aquaculture or seafood processing facility, or use classroom activities to explore how seafood moves from harvest to market.
Students in Local Industries 11 – a new program piloted this school year at Shelburne Regional High School and Barrington Municipal High School – are currently using the Coast to Classroom resources.
The program reflects the Province’s continued support for education that is connected to Nova Scotia’s strengths and helps prepare students for future study, work and leadership in coastal and ocean sectors.
Quotes:
“Local Industries 11 is a great example of how Nova Scotia educators are creating meaningful learning opportunities that connect students to their communities. Developed by our very own Shelburne Regional High teachers, the course helps students explore the industries that shape our coastal communities and get excited about local career opportunities. Now strengthened by Coast to Classroom, we’re connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences and helping students see the many pathways available to them right here at home.”
— Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“Our ocean environment has always shaped Nova Scotia’s communities, economy and way of life. Coast to Classroom helps students better understand the opportunities connected to our oceans and coastal industries, while encouraging the next generation to explore rewarding careers in sectors that are so important to our province’s future.”
— Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration
“When planning the Local Industries 11 course we wanted most to pay homage to our fishers and their tremendous contribution to our communities and culture. We felt it necessary to have an academic course that focused on the exploration of our local lobster fishery, offering our students and community an opportunity to link local industry, socioeconomic culture and tradition to formal education. This primary industry is generational, fosters secondary and service industries, and makes educating our future marine industry workforce a top priority.”
— Les Goulden, teacher, Shelburne Regional High School, and Phoebe Cameron, Vice-Principal, Barrington Municipal High School
Quick Facts:
- Coast to Classroom was developed in co-operation with the Centre for Marine Applied Research
- Nova Scotia’s seafood sector directly employs almost 19,000 people in rural and coastal communities across the province
- in 2025, Nova Scotia seafood exports were valued at about $2.2 billion
Additional Resources:
Coast to Classroom: https://coasttoclassroom.com