Works for You Employment Program

NS: Province seeks partners to boost employment
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Aug. 3/10

[HALIFAX, NS] – The Department of Labour and Workforce Development is looking for partners to support the Works for You program.

Works for You is funded through the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and helps unemployed or low-skilled Nova Scotians prepare for, find and maintain work.

The department issued a request for proposals on Friday, July 30, to registered charities, non-profit organizations and educational institutions that offer these services. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 7.

“Last year, our department and partners provided a wide array of employment programs and training that helped more than 2,000 Nova Scotians with their search for employment,” says Marilyn More, minister of Labour and Workforce Development.

Nova Scotia gained 75 certified continuing care assistants through LMA funded training programs last year, filling an industry shortage and connecting people to high-value careers. African Nova Scotians took part in a program that connected them to apprenticeship, employment and post-secondary training opportunities in the construction sector.

The program is designed for people who don’t qualify for employment insurance and those who lack a high school diploma. Works for You places special emphasis on support for minority groups, including Aboriginal or African Nova Scotians, people with disabilities and Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians. The program also targets youth, women, income assistance recipients, new entrants and re-entrants to the workforce, and people who were formerly self-employed.

The funding comes from the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement, which was signed in 2008. More information about the Works for You program is available at www.gov.ns.ca/employmentnovascotia/lma-information/.