Meeting the Workforce Challenge

Presentation to Electricity Human Resources Canada

John SomersSenior Executive Director, Skills and Learning Branch

Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education

Nova Scotia’s Workforce Challenge• Nova Scotia’s challenges are

not uncommon in mature economies

• A self- re-enforcing cycle: • Economic growth• Population growth• Work force growth

• Cycle can be positive or negative

• Market forces do not always favour individual jurisdictions

• People without jobs, jobs without people

Economy

WorkforcePopulation

• Growth in real GDP (1990-2009):– Nova Scotia: 40.6 %

• Major opportunities in the near future:– $25 Billion in ship construction– $1.2 Billion in Maritime Link – $2 billion in offshore exploration

• How will we ensure we are ready?

Economic Growth

Economy

WorkforcePopulation

• Nova Scotia’s population stable at 945,00 (2011)

• Not projected to increase in foreseeable future

• Low birth rates• Net intra-provincial out-

migration• Aging population: 18 – 64

share of population:– 2011: 65.2 %– 2036: 55.1 %

Population

Economy

WorkforcePopulation

• Relatively low labour participation rate

• Significant segments of the population are under-represented

• Projected gap in skilled trades people

The workforce

Economy

WorkforcePopulation

Key Provincial Government Touch Points in Workforce Development

• Labour and Advanced Education (LAE )• Advanced Education• Skills and Learning Branch:

• Employment Nova Scotia• Workplace Initiatives• Apprenticeship Training

• Policy and Planning

• Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)• Economic and Rural Development and Tourism• Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI)• Department of Community Services• External Service Providers

LAE Labour Market Programming

LMDA:$84 Million open-ended

E.I. – eligible

LMA:$14 Million Federal Fundsexpires March 31st, 2014

3rd party serviceproviders

3rd party serviceproviders

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EI Part II Benefits and Support Measures:

• Careers Resource Centres

• Skills Development

• Self-Employment• Start

Provincial Programs:StartSkills-upWorks for You

Direct funding to individuals

Clients

Direct funding to individuals

Targeted Interventions

Pre Employment Recruitment Hiring Training

On-line HR Tool Kit

Careers Nova Scotia

On-line HR Tool Kit

START

Apprenticeship

One Journey Work and Learn

Skills On-line NS

WIPSI

One Journey / Work and Learn• Starts with a business or industry-identified

skills shortage• Employers interview people based on ‘fit’ with

their business/industry• Customized training delivered to meet industry-

specific needs• Win-Win: people without jobs obtain

employment; jobs without people are filled with skilled workers

Essentials to Certification(a One Journey Work and Learn “sub program”)

• People working in a trade are provided with essential skills training to enable them to successfully write their exams

• They achieve Journeyperson status and can, in turn, take on apprentices

• Win-Win: Tradespeople achieve certification and more apprenticeship positions become available.

Skills On-Line• Increased accessibility to learning• Businesses and individuals access training when

and where they need it• Electronic learning records follow people from

job to job• Businesses can create ‘learning networks’ for

staff and create their own customized online training options

• Customized content to meet Nova Scotia’s business needs: HR, Social Media, and…

• Coming soon: ‘Getting Ready’… to take advantage of those major projects.

What will success look like?

Economy

WorkforcePopulation

• Increased workforce participation rates, especially in under-represented groups

• Better targeting of educational and training programs

• More and enhanced training in the workplace

• Greater employer engagement in the training system

• Fewer regulatory barriers to labour mobility

• More Immigrants settling in Nova Scotia

• More young people attracted to, or staying in Nova Scotia

• Proportionally less out-migration