Work Activity Programs

Note: You must be a recipient of Income Assistance to take part in this program.

The general mission of Work Activity programs is to help all Nova Scotians who have barriers to employment to integrate themselves into employment and society. This is achieved by providing pre-employment and employment services, focusing on personal, academic and work skill development.

What does a Work Activity offer?
Each Work Activity program offers a fairly standard core program. Work Activities believe that people learn best when they are working on the three main areas that help with developing the skills you need to either go back to school or work. These areas are your academic skills, specific work skills and also your personal development. You can expect to be in a group with other people, and you will have a chance to work on your academics, set some personal goals, and to gain exposure to a work area. You may also have an opportunity to have a work placement in the community.

What are the next steps after a Work Activity program?
Each person will have a different next step after completing the program. For some, it will mean setting a goal to get more education. Others will move onto a job. If this is your first step back into some kind of activity, perhaps your next step will be meeting more regularly with your Employment Support Caseworker to develop a return to work plan. You will have a chance through your involvement with the Work Activity program to really understand what it is that you need to do in order to eventually return to work, school or some kind of other activity.

Where are the Work Activity programs located?
There are currently six Work Activity programs in the province of Nova Scotia. Please refer to the information below to find the one nearest to your community.

Next steps

If you are an ESIA client and want to apply to attend a Work Activity program, you can speak to your Employment Support or Income Assistance caseworker about whether Work Activity programs are the right step for you. You can also contact the Work Activity program yourself and meet with staff there first, and then go speak to your Caseworker. Attending a Work Activity program must be a part of your approved plan with the Department.

(If you are not an ESIA client, you can contact the Work Activity program yourself and meet with staff about whether Work Activity programs are the right step for you.)