News Release Archive
ECONOMIC RENEWAL--MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS
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There's an old saying that claims curiosity killed the cat.
But, for Mike MacEachern of Bridgewater curiosity may just
land him a job.
A graduate of the mechanical engineering program at the
Technical University of Nova Scotia, MacEachern has been
looking for work since March 1995. His search took him past
the Bridgewater Access Nova Scotia office, in the new
federal building on Dufferin Street, and it was curiosity
that brought him through the doors.
"I had no idea what to expect when I walked in the Access
office," said Mr. MacEachern. "I just started talking with
the staff and they offered to help." Through ANS, MacEachern
posted his resume on the Internet and downloaded information
on ISO-9000, a certified set of international export
standards.
"In the information age, information is what you need to
empower yourself," he said. MacEachern received responses
and even interviews from his resume posting, but even more
important, it gave him the chance to make contacts and
network. "By accessing the Internet, I am able to see what's
out there beyond what was already available to me before
entering the Access office." He believes this kind of access
will lead to a job.
The essence of ANS is its all-encompassing appeal. ANS
provides information on all levels of government
departments, programs and services and is designed to put
clients in touch with the right contact as quickly as
possible. "Our staff works in partnership with specialists
in government and business to deliver useful information and
make resources available to the public," said David
Townsend, manager of the Bridgewater ANS office.
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Elizabeth Powers and
business partner Laurel Widrig, both of Lunenburg, were
unsure of the next step to develop their business idea
further. "When you have four children, you don't have the
opportunity to work full-time to do all the necessary
research. Access Nova Scotia provided us with a number of
manufacturing directories and helped us cut through a lot of
red tape to get to where we are today," said Ms. Powers.
Like the hundreds who have found their way to the Access
office, she was surprised at the range of resources
available. From business services and directories, on-line
databases, consumer guides, permit and licence requirements
to personal appointments with specialists, Mr. Townsend says
the centre is a model for partnership.
"Representatives from our partner organizations like the
Acadia Centre for Small Business, Community Economic
Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and
the Department of Labour's occupational health and safety
division can meet with clients at the centre by
appointment," he said.
The Bridgewater office has been open and assisting residents
along the South Shore for the past five months.
For Ms. Powers and Ms. Widrig, both are surprised at the
direction they've been heading. "We're looking in directions
we never thought we'd be going because we weren't fully
aware of what was available," Ms. Powers said.
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Contact: David Townsend 902-543-0660
trp Nov. 03, 1995