A Victoria-based Indigenous-owned and women-led training and software company, RaceRocks, will begin a partnership with leading aerospace and defence corporation Lockheed Martin after signing a $1.6 million, three-year contract to support the development of adaptive learning capabilities.
"We see this collaboration as a learning opportunity. Partnering with an industry leader like Lockheed Martin not only allows us to contribute our expertise in training and technology but also to expand our capabilities," noted Anita Pawluk, CEO and president of RaceRocks, in an emailed statement.
For more than 10 years, RaceRocks has been working with the Royal Canadian Navy, providing them with training programs from traditional curriculum development to fully immersive VR experiences.
"Traditional defence roles face high turnover, and distributed learning solutions can mitigate these issues by providing flexible, accessible training pathways that help personnel stay engaged and skilled over time," noted Pawluk. "We begin by collaborating closely with organizations to assess and analyze their current practices. Based on these insights, we develop high-value training programs tailored to the learners' needs, with scalability and repeatability in mind."
Glenn Copeland, general manager of rotary and mission systems for Lockheed Martin Canada, said as the geopolitical landscape becomes more and more complex, there is an ongoing need for modernized training solutions.
"This partnership with Lockheed Martin and RaceRocks will strengthen Canada’s defence capabilities by delivering a training solution to the Canadian Armed Forces which is adapted to student needs, reduces training time and increases training outcomes. RaceRocks will be a tremendous partner, providing the level of innovation that will help us achieve that end goal," noted a statement from Copeland.
Though Lockheed Martin and the defence industry has garnered scrutiny over recent years for profiting from conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine, Pawluk says partnerships like this can be leveraged for positive change, and help advance areas like simulation and AI safety.
"For us, it’s about aligning with projects that reflect our ethical commitments and focus on sustainable, safety-driven innovation. We understand that, ultimately, working within this industry brings a responsibility to contribute thoughtfully to meaningful, ethical advancements that benefit all stakeholders involved," she noted.
While Indigenous Peoples make up five per cent of Canada’s population, they account for less than two per cent of those working in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) fields. Pawluk said RaceRocks hopes to address the talent gap with their Kishkayhta program, which launched in June.
"This initiative aims to break down barriers for Indigenous individuals, creating career opportunities and inspiring future generations to explore careers in defence and aerospace," she said.
The program provides Indigenous learners with hands-on work experience in technology and equips them with the necessary skills to further excel in the industry.
"Anything you needed was well documented and readily available, and if any questions arose, you could ask. Everyone was always ready to help," said Kiefer Hay, a Metis student at Camosun College who participated in the program, in a news release. “I want to continue developing skills with my friends and work on projects with them during and after we are done school."
Pawluk says they are continuing their work in building a diverse workforce and advancing women in leadership as four out of five leadership roles at RaceRocks are held by women.
"To truly make a difference in supporting women and BIPOC representation, it’s important for companies to go beyond recruitment and actively invest in mentorship and professional development programs," said Pawluk. "Additionally, more Indigenous representation in these sectors supports reconciliation efforts, aligning with RaceRocks’ commitment to increasing the Indigenous Defence Supply Chain."
