More Employment Opportunities for Nova Scotians

Nova Scotians will see more job opportunities in aircraft manufacturing and related industries following the signing of an agreement today, Oct. 22, between the province and the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Nova Scotia (ADIANS).

The agreement will ensure a co-ordinated approach to improve employability, recruiting, training and retention of a skilled workforce within industries such as aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, and the industrial and electrical trades.

"The aerospace and defence industry, like other industries, is working to narrow the skills gap and address workforce challenges including an aging population and rapidly advancing technologies," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "As part of Skills Nova Scotia, the government is working with many partners, like ADIANS, to educate and train more people to work right here at home, to create a prouder, stronger Nova Scotia."

The Department of Education and Nova Scotia Economic Development have provided $25,000 to ADIANS to develop an implementation plan, governance model and business plan, needed to establish the new partnership.

"A skilled, productive workforce is vital for the competitiveness of the aerospace industry, while the industry, in turn, is a vital part of Nova Scotia's advanced manufacturing sector, which produces good jobs, high wages and spinoff employment," said Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage.

He said his department is proud to work with industry to help Nova Scotia companies make the most of aerospace opportunities such as the Maritime Helicopter Program.

There are currently 5,200 aerospace and defence workers in Nova Scotia. The Department of National Defence (DND) employs another 2,000 civilians in similar fields. It is estimated that within the next two years about 30 per cent of these jobs will be vacant, due to a shortage of skilled workers.

Hal Davies, chair of the ADIANS human resources council, said aerospace and defence sector participants in a spring workforce strategy forum saw the value to the industry of a much closer collaborative effort by the private, public and education sectors. One of the recommendations included in a forum report was that a human resources partnership be developed.

"Improved competitiveness, an expanded market share, and better employment prospects will result from the enthusiastic desire of industry, government, college and university educators, workers and students to work more closely together," said Mr. Davies.

He said skills shortages, demographic change and improving economic prospects are impacting the industry. "The partnership will provide the synergistic and collaborative framework to enable us to optimize the talent of our people and meet the challenges of today and thereby enhance the prosperity of all Nova Scotians."

Stuart Gourley, senior executive director of the skills and learning branch, Department of Education, signed the document on behalf of the department. Carl Kumpic, vice president of ADIANS signed on behalf of the association and Jim Stanley signed on behalf of Nova Scotia Economic Development.

A copy of the ADIANS Workforce Strategy Report is available on the ADIANS Web site at www.adians.ca .

Skills Nova Scotia is the province's co-ordinating strategy for developing a skilled and competitive workforce. It involves working with partners to upgrade people's skills from basic literacy to the use of the most advanced technologies to further success in education and in the workplace. Copies of the Skills Nova Scotia 2002-2003 Action Plan, and the 2002-2003 Skills Nova Scotia Progress Report are available on the Department of Education's Web site at www.ednet.ns.ca .