News release

Province Launches New Employment Services Network Across Nova Scotia

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

The province launched its new employment services system, Nova Scotia Works, today, Sept. 6, at the Elmsdale Futureworx Job Search Centre, a Nova Scotia Works employment services centre.

The new system will strengthen Nova Scotia's workforce by providing better front line services and support for youth, job seekers and employers.

"We've been working hard to ensure all Nova Scotians looking for work have access to the employment services they need, no matter where they live," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "This new system will provide the support they need to find a good job, and it will also help employers find skilled workers."

Government began working with service providers in November to redesign the $23-million employment services system. The new system includes:

  • more front line staff
  • increased focus on career counselling for youth
  • more effective recruitment support for businesses
  • expansion of services across the province for people with barriers to employment
  • support for career practitioner certification and professional development

"Working with the employment services team at Futureworx has helped me with my recruitment needs," said Michael Jodrey, Jodrey and Company Ltd. "I needed more employees, and with their help, I was able to access recruitment advice and support which ultimately helped grow my business."

While the overall budget remains the same, the Nova Scotia Works system reduces administration and infrastructure costs from 53 per cent down to 27 per cent. More front line staff were hired with the savings to focus on employer engagement, client service, and outreach to schools.

Qualified career practitioners and counsellors will deliver a consistent suite of services including career counselling, job search services and resources, job coaching, job development, employment workshops, and employer engagement.

"With the transformation of employment services in the province, we now have a more relevant suite of options, tools and supports available for our clients," said Randy Lindsay, Futureworx executive director. "This will enhance our ability to connect job seekers with available positions and help individuals, employers and our communities realize their potential."

The transformation of Nova Scotia's employment services was a key recommendation in the Transition Task Force report released in June. The report is online at http://novascotia.ca/lae/pubs/docs/From-School-to-Success-Clearing-the-Path.pdf .

This system is funded by the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Development Agreement. For more information, and a list of Nova Scotia Works employment centres, visit http://www.novascotia.ca/works

Nova Scotians can visit the new centres in their communities as they launch over the next few weeks. The following Nova Scotia Works employment service centres are holding open houses on the dates indicated:

Southwest Employment Service

  • Shelburne, 3588 Highway 3 - Sept. 20
  • Yarmouth, 103 Water St. - Oct. 25

YMCA

  • Eastern Passage, 1515 Main Rd. - Sept. 7
  • Sheet Harbour, 22756 Highway #7 - Sept. 8
  • Cole Harbour, 5 Cumberland Dr. (Cumberland Plaza) - Sept. 9
  • Dartmouth, 14-118 Wyse Rd. - Sept. 12
  • Dartmouth, 35 Wilfred Jackson Way - Sept. 14
  • Musquodoboit, 12943 Highway 224 - Sept. 16
  • Halifax, 2269 Gottingen St. - Sept. 19
  • Porters Lake, 5228 Highway 7 - Sept. 21
  • Sydney, 399 Charlotte St. - Oct. 4

Job Resource Centre

  • Windsor, 80 Water St., Windsor Mall - Sept. 20

Peopleworx

  • Coldbrook - 11 Opportunity Lane - Sept. 19
  • Middleton - 298 Marshall St. Sept. 23

Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association

  • Amherst, 63 Victoria St. - Sept. 16
  • Springhill, 166 Junction Rd. - Sept. 21

Employment Solutions

  • Liverpool, 7A Henry Hensey Dr. - Sept. 20
  • Bridgewater, 215 Dominion St. - Sept. 20
  • Hubbards, 10 Pte. Richard Green Lane - Sept. 21

Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse

  • Church Point, 1649 Highway 1 - Sept. 9
  • Tusket, 1 Slocumb Cres. - Sept. 13

EmployAbility Partnership

  • Port Hawkesbury, 811 Reeves St. Unit 6 - Sept. 16

Digby Disabilities

  • Digby, 87 Warwick St. - Dec. 9

Northside Employment and Resource Centre

  • North Sydney, 105 King St. - Sept. 13

Career Connections

  • Guysborough, 996 Highway 16 Unit C, Chedabucto Centre - Sept. 16
  • Antigonish, 50 James St. - Sept. 23