Confederation College Signs Agreement with Royal Canadian Navy to Expand Experiential Learning Opportunities

THUNDER BAY, ON – March 10, 2026 — Confederation College and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) have signed a five-year collaborative agreement to enhance experiential and work-integrated learning options for students, strengthening pathways between postsecondary education and military service.

The partnership formalizes cooperation between the College and the RCN, represented locally by HMCS Griffon, and provides students with opportunities to gain skills through military service, training, and practical experience. The partnership will focus on programs aligned with workforce needs, including trades, engineering, electrical and culinary fields.

Under the arrangement, the RCN will provide students with access to recruiters, collaborate on experiential learning opportunities, and support prior-learning assessments for skilled and semi-skilled applicants. The College will work with the RCN to align academic programming with military occupations, support student-reservists, and facilitate advanced standing opportunities where appropriate.

The five-year agreement will remain in effect until June 2031.

“This collaborative arrangement reflects our commitment to building strong partnerships that support student success and regional workforce development,” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “By working closely with the Royal Canadian Navy, we are expanding opportunities for students to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while exploring career pathways that align with their education and long-term goals.”

The Executive Officer of HMCS Griffon, Lieutenant(N) Joel Biesenthal, also provided a statement. “Military-connected learners enrich classrooms through their lived experiences and the unique perspectives gained in service to our country. Today, Confederation College recognizes the unique experiences of military-connected students and provides them with the resources and community needed to excel.”

From the classroom to the decks of a ship, education is our most valuable asset in developing the Royal Canadian Navy's personnel. With the arrival of new complex technologies and ships, we need innovative thinkers to operate and maintain our future-ready fleet. We rely on our partnership with Confederation College in Thunder Bay to educate our sailors. Their graduates have and will continue to shape our organization, acting as the foundation for the next generation of leadership in the Canadian Armed Forces.”

The Royal Canadian Navy is the maritime component of the Canadian Armed Forces and maintains a longstanding presence in Thunder Bay through HMCS Griffon. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening connections between postsecondary education and military service while supporting local and national workforce priorities.

The collaborative arrangement builds on Confederation College’s ongoing work with Canadian Armed Forces partners to create flexible, career-connected learning opportunities for students across Northwestern Ontario.

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Confederation College has served the people of Northwestern Ontario since 1967, delivering postsecondary, apprenticeship, and workforce training across a 550,000-square-kilometre region. The college’s main campus is in Thunder Bay, with seven regional sites in Dryden, Longlac, Kenora, Marathon, Fort Frances, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, as well as a growing Distance Education division. Each year, Confederation College supports more than 7,000 full- and part-time learners from across the region and around the world. With more than 600 employees, the college plays a key role in regional development, contributing $707.3 million annually to the local economy. Confederation College is committed to equity, access, and community partnership, working closely with students, employers, and communities to support learning, workforce readiness, and long-term regional prosperity.