HALIFAX – As Nova Scotia gets ready for the large number of opportunities on the horizon, the province is improving employment services to help people find and get good jobs.
"For too long, employment services have been focused only on the unemployed, and the level of service is different in different parts of the province," ministerial assistant for Youth Mat Whynott. "Our goal is to ensure all Nova Scotians -- young people, people considering a career change, newcomers to our province, and people wanting to get back into the workforce -- have the services they need to find and get good jobs here at home."
The province launched a public consultation Wednesday that will include focus groups, a discussion paper, and targeted outreach for job seekers, employers, employment service providers and community organizations.
The province funds 55 organizations across Nova Scotia to provide career services, but the services differ by location and don't reach everyone. The jobHere's plan and workforce strategy will use the career centres to support career planners, job seekers and employers throughout Nova Scotia.
"Once I graduate from NSCC, I'll have a science degree and health information management diploma," said student Lynn McLean. "It would be great to be able to get direction and support from employment services to help me in my search to find a good job which fits with my education."
The discussion paper is posted on the government website. The deadline for responses is March 15.
"We need to have superior employment services to support our changing economy and to ensure that our workforce is prepared for the abundance of opportunities that mega projects such as our shipbuilding and IT will bring to Nova Scotia," said Mr. Whynott. "We want people to tell us how we can improve. We want ideas and input so we can better help people get a job."
For more information, visit http://careers.novascotia.ca/YourFeedback .
