Input Sought to Address Skills Shortage

Nova Scotia is taking steps to close the skills gap. The Department of Education today posted the first Skills Nova Scotia Framework on its Web site for public input. The plan outlines the province's challenges and next steps toward a knowledgeable and skilled workforce.

"Closing the skills gap is a top priority for government," said Education Minister Jane Purves. "Nova Scotia is poised to take full advantage of a growing economy. Business, labour, education and training institutions, communities and government are working together to give Nova Scotians more opportunities to stay here and succeed."

Nova Scotia is a leader in job creation and economic growth in the country. Ms. Purves said that in certain industries, however, it's hard to find enough skilled workers to fill the jobs. Most new jobs require high levels of skills and knowledge, and requirements are changing fast.

Last week, Premier John Hamm and Ms. Purves met with business, labour and education leaders to review the framework, and the response was positive.

"This is a major step forward, something that we have worked on with government for almost two years," said Peter O'Brien, of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "We're very pleased to see the document released and even more encouraged that it sets very specific timetables."

Mary Kenny, executive director of the Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council and president of the Association of Industry Sector Councils for Nova Scotia agrees.

"We believe this is a comprehensive approach for addressing the critical issues of skills and labour shortages, gaps in the skills of our existing workforce and, for the residential construction industry specifically, the lack of incentives for young people to enter the construction trades," she said. "We view the framework as an important step in bringing about the required changes."

The Skills Nova Scotia Framework acknowledges challenges like a growing energy sector, an aging workforce, advancing technology and globalization. The framework hinges on partnerships and creating more opportunities in key areas like energy, construction, engineering, teaching, health care and technology, as well as others. It also means Nova Scotians need access to training and retraining to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to respond to labour market demands.

Three goals have been identified in the framework: meet the skills needs of Nova Scotia's growing labour market; provide better labour market access and supports to Nova Scotians; and strengthen Nova Scotia's system of lifelong learning opportunities.

"In order to thrive in this new economic climate, Nova Scotians must have the flexibility and ability to continually develop their skills and knowledge," said Ms. Purves. "From the ABCs to the PhDs, this framework will help ensure that skills development builds on a firm foundation in reading, writing and arithmetic. The need to continuously develop skills will be embedded into our educational culture."

The Department of Education's new Skills and Learning branch will lead the initiative. A Partner's Advisory Forum with business, labour, education and community leaders will be established, as well as an internal Labour Force Planning Committee to ensure the full operational integration of the Skills Nova Scotia Framework across government.

Deputy ministers from the departments of Education, Community Services, Energy, and Environment and Labour and the Office of Economic Development will oversee the implementation of the strategy.

Copies of the Skills Nova Scotia Framework are available on the Department of Education's Web site, at www.ednet.ns.ca. Nova Scotians can also get copies at any Access Nova Scotia Centre, by calling 902-424-7764 or e-mailing to [email protected] . The deadline for comments is Sept. 12. The final strategy and action plan for 2002-03 will be released in the fall.