Province Helping Lockeport Company Train Employees, Prepare for Future Opportunities

Employee training will help a Lockeport-based electronics company increase productivity and better prepare for future opportunities.

Allendale Electronics is using funds from the province's Productivity Investment Program to ensure employees have the skills they need to make the most of the opportunities coming to Nova Scotia, like the federal shipbuilding contracts.

"There are thousands of good jobs connected to the shipbuilding contracts, all across Nova Scotia," said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. "We've never had such great opportunities ahead of us. Allendale Electronics is a great example of a company focused on preparing now, so they're ready to make the most of future opportunities."

Allendale Electronics has produced printed circuit boards for more than 30 years, building a list of clients who export around the world.

The company is using $36,896 from PIP's Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive to train employees on:

• new surface mount equipment, designed to increase productivity
• human resources development and skills upgrading
• various productivity tools, like ISO 9001, quality management, auditing and relationship management

"Programs like PIP are enabling Allendale Electronics staff to increase their productivity and make us more competitive for the upcoming work related to the federal shipbuilding contracts," said Cyril Meagher, Allendale Electronics president and general manager. "Allendale Electronics has participated in supplier development sessions and the information we have gathered is preparing us to be in the best position possible to secure work that will be long-term."

The Productivity Investment Program encourages Nova Scotia businesses to become more productive, innovative and globally competitive through two financial incentives, the Capital Investment Incentive and the Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive.

In its first year, PIP has helped more than 220 Nova Scotia companies with more than 275 projects. Most of these companies are small businesses.

For more information on jobsHere and the Productivity Investment Program, visit jobshere.novascotia.ca .