A CANADIAN newspaper has reported on a rival shipbuilder's attempts to lure shipyard staff from Barrow to relocate across the Atlantic.

Earlier this week, The Mail reported on an unnamed Canadian shipbuilding firm which had advertised the opportunity for experienced shipbuilders in Barrow to emigrate to North America.

Although the advert did not state which company was recruiting it is widely known to be Irving Shipbuilding, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Irving is the main contractor for the combat portion of the government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Halifax shipyard is currently constructing six Harry DeWolf-class Arctic offshore patrol ships, and will build a fleet of 15 Canadian Surface Combatants with a budget of $56 billion to $60 billion, starting in the 2020s.

An article in Canadian paper The Chronicle Herald which can be accessed HERE included comments from Ken Hansen, a retired navy commander and defence analyst.

“They would likely be after people that have managerial and corporate skills, that have sat down and done the various staff checks that need doing before you set out building anything — feasibility, efficiency, economy, budget, supply chain, all of those things,” he told The Chronicle Herald .

“I think they’re looking for managing skills first but the secondary benefit is . . . they would have people that are already familiar with the Type 26 program."

BAE Systems declined to comment when contacted by The Mail . We have also attempted to contact Irving Shipbuilding.

Some current BAE Systems' employees said they had been contacted by the Canadians who had offered "a new home and full relocation package" if they agreed to move.

A classified advert in The Mail states: "SHIPBUILDING OPPORTUNITIES CANADA: We are currently recruiting for a wide variety of engineering and management positions for a world class shipbuilder based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

"If you have a shipbuilding background in engineering or management, and would be interested in relocating to Canada, please contact us for a confidential chat and full job/company details.

"Full relocation assistance is provided for yourself and your family."

Former BAE worker Gary Anderson and his wife Jennifer made the move to Irving in Halifax three years ago.

He said: "We were the first Barrovians to move to Irving 3 years ago. Fantastic city and great for families and kids.

"If anybody is seriously considering it, drop me a line. Obviously Barrow has years of work ahead but if you fancy a change of scenery and are up for a challenge this it the place to be. Five hour flight back to the UK is a lot closer than Australia too!"

Last February, Irving came under criticism in the local press after being accused of attempting to recruit new staff for positions which could be filled by Canadians, a claim Irving denied.

In a statement, Irving said: "More than 96% of Irving Shipbuilding’s 1,500 person workforce is Canadian and we continue to actively recruit Canadians first – this is a central pillar to our recruitment strategy.

"Because Canada has not had a naval new build program in place for almost 25 years, some specific shipbuilding expertise does not exist in Canada or we have exhausted efforts to recruit Canadians for certain positions. Under these exceptional circumstances, skilled workers need to be sought internationally."