Vice President of Education Candidate - Dr. Sherry Scully

Dr. Sherry Scully has worked in education and skills for over 25 years. After beginning her career as a schoolteacher, she went on to advance her education and worked in learning and development roles in industry. Eventually she started her own education and leadership practice and continues today as the Principal of SES Workforce Research & Consulting, specializing in skills research, learning and development, organizational development, and change management. Sherry holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in social psychology and management from Dalhousie University, as well as an MBA and two degrees in Education.

Throughout her career Sherry has developed novel learning programs and resources for leaders and youth with a particular focus on the ocean technology industry and the sustainable blue economy. Sherry has contributed significant research to the field of knowledge relating to talent management across ocean industries and adjacent sectors, including current skills and competency assessments, and future skills analysis.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Scully wrote the initial strategy document for what quickly became COLC (Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition). In 2015, Dr. Scully conducted an exhaustive landscape analysis and needs and gaps analysis for Canada’s national ocean industry. 'The challenges, needs, and opportunities for strategic workforce development in the greater marine industry,' highlighted key barriers to access for under-represented workers and equity-deserving communities, identified high value and critical skills needed to support the evolution of the various sectors of the ocean industry, related training and credentialing gaps, and highlighted challenges to attraction, training, and retention in the industry.

Dr. Scully also conducted research on the perceptions and attitudes of youth across Canada regarding careers in the ocean industry. This series of studies over the past decade have provided several key insights, including the alarming gap in awareness of and exposure to ocean careers among youth. These insights have shaped her approach to designing curriculum and launching programs that build curiosity, interest, and knowledge about the myriad different pathways into the industry.

Sherry has conducted both regional and national workforce studies that included landscape analyses, gap and skills assessments, training and skills development reviews, and recommendations for building capacity with a skilled workforce that is competent, engaged, adaptable, and whose readiness is in sync with project phases. Sherry has also been a featured speaker and panelist at dozens of conferences focused on in-demand and future skills and competencies.

Sherry strives to combine scholarly insight and research with practical recommendations and strategy development that are both evidence-based and experience-based. A strong advocate for learning, Sherry volunteers with educational development efforts internationally, and in her spare time can be found snorkeling and kayaking in the ocean or wandering a mountain top - exploring sea to sky!

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
Gaps in awareness of ocean careers continues to be a hurdle to engaging a broad range of diverse young talent to the industry. The pathways to ECOP have many starting points, including traditional and non-traditional disciplines. It is through thoughtful programming that includes WIL (work integrated learning), technology-focused workshops, interactive digital learning resources, and networking opportunities that we can engage youth with ocean career intentions and reach the radar of youth for whom the possibility of an ocean career hasn’t touched their imaginations.  I hope to continue to support engagement between industry and academic institutions, with a focus on connecting directly with educators to understand the support they need to build stronger awareness of and exposure to the marine industry and career pathways. I also hope to apply insights from industry research to understanding skills gaps in an evolving ocean industry so that MTS educational programming can be developed at the appropriate level (full credential, microcredential, rapid upskilling) and via accessible channels to youth and talent pools. 

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
In addition to my industry and scholarly research and programming outlined above in my bio, I have been actively involved in ocean literacy and skills development research and programming. Some examples of this involvement include:

• I wrote the initial strategy document for what quickly became COLC (Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition)
• I also wrote a paper on ocean literacy that was published by IOI; The Marine People Partnership: Building a Workforce for Our Ocean Industries through Ocean Literacy
• I wrote 7 (currently working on 8 & 9) learning modules for SOI Foundation's Blue Futures Pathways program, aimed at youth aged 15-35.
• I have also participated in SOI's ocean expeditions to Canada’s far north as an 'educator on board'.
• During COVID, as a way of staying connected with educators, students, and industry, I wrote two learning resources about the sustainable blue economy (Wave of the Future, The Sustainable Blue Economy).
• I have conducted a series of research studies examining youth perceptions of the ocean and their attitudes towards engaging in ocean careers (Student intentions and perceptions study).
• I have developed school age programming k/p-12 as well as post-secondary programming, which have included robotics labs, ROV (involving MATE) and electric vessel design-and-build workshops, marine renewable energy design-and-build workshops, and several others.
• I regularly lecture at the universities across the province on ocean careers and high value skills.
• I have developed robust work integrated learning (WIL) programs at COVE and at The PIER (Port Innovation Engagement and Research).
• I wrote a report that explored green skills for a net zero marine economy. 'High value skills for a net zero economy: A skills assessment for the ports, supply chain, and maritime sector' identifies uniquely 'green skills' as well as traditional skills that will be in high demand as industries evolve towards more sustainable practice and net zero goals.
• I am actively involved with IOI (International Ocean Institute) and give lectures at professional development workshops for teachers (and student teachers) each spring and fall.
• My article “Planned (for) obsolescence: Lessons in workforce agility from Canada’s Shipbuilding Industry” was published in The Journal of Ocean Technology, vol.14, no.2. pp. 17-26.

I look forward to an opportunity to apply my skills, research, and years of experience to advance MTS’s goals to connect youth to careers and technology in the marine industry.