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
No Attachment
Weak Attachment
Strong Attachment
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