Province Launches Workforce Strategy

Published by the Premier's Office

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A new provincial Workforce Strategy will help to address the economic challenges presented by a shrinking workforce and help Nova Scotians to acquire the right skills for good jobs. Premier Darrell Dexter unveiled Nova Scotia's Workforce Strategy, part of the jobsHere plan to grow the economy at Advanced Precision, an aerospace, defence and oceans technology manufacturing company in Dartmouth.

Quotes

“ As the population gets older, people are retiring from the workforce and too few people with the right skills are available to replace them. Nova Scotia's workforce strategy is about helping us adapt and overcome our new demographic reality. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ Nova Scotia's working age population will decline by 47,000 people over the next decade, creating a situation in which there are jobs without people and people without jobs. The workforce strategy calls on all of us -- every worker, potential worker and employer, as well as every business, industry sector and government -- to think about what we can do now to be more competitive in tomorrow's labour market. ” Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More

“ A successful workforce strategy means all able and available Nova Scotians can fully realize the opportunities in front of them, including the many high value jobs that will come with the shipbuilding contracts. Nova Scotians will be ready with the right skills and education to meet the job opportunities of the future, and businesses will benefit by having a rich diversity of skilled workers, each contributing ideas and knowledge that will foster better productivity and strengthen their competitiveness. ” Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris

“ We've made a significant capital investment in state of the art machinery. In order for the company to realize all the benefits associated with technological advancement, our workforce must have the essential skills required to make the most of our investment. This is a situation where we reap the immediate benefit of increased efficiency and are positioned to take on more complex work in the future. ” Susan Elliott, manager of human resources, Advanced Precision

Quick Facts

• The Workforce Strategy describes a number of actions under three priority areas: increasing the amount of learning and skills development in the workplace; helping Nova Scotians to prepare for and connect with good jobs; and growing the workforce, both in numbers and skills.
• The strategy provides supports to help young people and their parents make informed decisions about career options, and expands adult learning and online learning opportunities. It provides programs for Nova Scotians who are unemployed or underemployed and returning to the workforce or looking for their first job.
• It also targets groups that are under-represented in the workforce: women, African and Aboriginal Nova Scotians, people with disabilities, older workers, low-skilled individuals and those who may face other barriers to finding work.

Learn More

• Download the strategy (PDF)
• Careers.NovaScotia.ca
• Premier's Office
• Labour and Advanced Education
• Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

Media Contacts

Melissa MacKinnon

Premier's Office

902-240-9077

E-mail: mackinnm@gov.ns.ca

Pam Menchenton

Labour and Advanced Education

902-424-0011

Cell: 902-719-4950

E-mail: menchepm@gov.ns.ca

Patricia Jreige

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

902-424-5584

Cell: 902-718-7866

E-mail: jreigeph@gov.ns.ca