Minister Continues Recruitment, Retention Tour in Berwick, Kentville

Nova Scotia employers, especially in rural areas, will face big challenges filling close to 45,000 jobs that will become available over the next five years.

That is the message Labour and Workforce Development Minister Mark Parent is taking to Berwick and Kentville today, Oct. 17, as part of a provincewide tour focused on workforce issues.

"Government is working on a series of strategies to address the need for skilled workers in the years ahead, but success will ultimately depend on joint action with employers, business leaders and educational institutions," said Mr. Parent.

The Department of Labour and Workforce Development has recently introduced several strategies aimed at helping rural employers recruit and retain skilled workers.

Strategies include linking unemployed older workers to workforce opportunities, educating youth about opportunities in smaller communities, providing financial assistance for apprentices, and establishing an Employer of Choice program that will encourage retention.

Another strategy is the LINK Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) program. The tuition-free program will be offered to 60 Nova Scotia adults living in Truro, Cape Breton and the Annapolis Valley. Successful participants will graduate with a high school diploma, a CCA certificate, and a guaranteed job. There will be 20 graduates from each of the regions.

With the support of regional development authorities, Mr. Parent will also speak to business and community leaders in other communities in October. Tour dates are:

• Ingonish, Saturday, Oct. 18, 12 p.m.
• Halifax, Monday, Oct. 21, 7:30 a.m.
• Guysborough, Monday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m
• Pictou, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m

Each stop on the tour will have a different workforce theme pertaining to the challenges faced in that area.