Winter Program to Create Jobs

The Nova Scotia government is helping to put unemployed Nova Scotians back to work in eight counties this winter.

Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, announced today that $1.1 million is available in the Winter Employment Program to help create almost 600 jobs in counties with the province's highest levels of unemployment.

"The best news is that many areas of the province are experiencing economic growth," said Mr. MacDonald. "There are 8,500 more Nova Scotians employed now, compared with this time last year. And it's encouraging that more than half of these workers live in rural Nova Scotia.

"But there's still a need for this program, and we're committed to helping more Nova Scotia employers hire workers this winter."

The end of the Atlantic Groundfish Strategy program has added Shelburne County to the list of counties that are eligible for the program. The other counties are Cape Breton, Digby, Guysborough, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria, as well as the eastern shore of Halifax County.

Last year, the Winter Employment Program spent $1.6 million to provide 800 jobs. Enhancements to employment initiatives in other government departments will create almost double that many jobs this year.

The Winter Employment Program lasts up to 18 weeks, beginning Jan. 18. Economic Development and Tourism will cover 50 per cent of the wage paid, up to a matching contribution of $5 per hour for business, provincial and municipal governments. Non-profit organizations are eligible for $5 per hour.

The deadline for employers to submit projects is Dec. 18, 1998. Application forms are available in each of the eight counties at Economic Development and Tourism Business Service Centres, Access Nova Scotia Centres, or Human Resources Centres. Potential employees should register at their local Employment Resource Centre or Human Resources Centre. Once the projects are approved, jobs will be posted at local employment centres.