Government Helps Seafood Processors Promote Employment Growth

Government is supporting Nova Scotia's seafood processing industry by unveiling educational tools to highlight and promote the industry and encourage employment growth.

Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell was joined by members of the industry today, July 12, at Ka'Le Bay Seafoods, a division of Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., in Glace Bay.

The tools feature employees of Louisbourg Seafoods in videos to help tell the story of today's seafood processing industry in Nova Scotia. Three other Nova Scotia seafood processors also featured are O'Neil Fisheries Ltd., Clearwater Seafoods, and Premium Seafoods.

"The seafood industry in Nova Scotia has evolved, but the perceptions of some people are out of date. Some don't see it as a suitable option for a full-time job in rural Nova Scotia," said Mr. Colwell. "To help address the issue, industry and government have worked together to develop tools to help change how people think about jobs in this industry."

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in partnership with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, worked with the seafood processing industry on this $30,000 project. Along with the videos, it includes a website and infographic cards.

"Nova Scotia has an ocean advantage, and many communities depend on it for their livelihood," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "Government's investments will mean more jobs and opportunity for people, including our youth, to stay in Nova Scotia. We need to make sure there are skilled workers available to fill these jobs, and these tools will help us do that."

Nova Scotia is Canada's largest exporter of fresh seafood with exports valued at $1.68 billion.

"Our local businesses want and need to grow and a shortage of good workers has some businesses passing up opportunities for expansion," said Mr. Colwell. "These tools will inform Nova Scotians about today's vibrant, innovative, economic-driving industry."

"We at Louisbourg Seafoods wanted help getting the word out that the Seafood Industry here in Nova Scotia is still a viable, and economically thriving business," said Adam Mugridge, Species Development Biologist for Louisbourg Seafoods. "These are good jobs, and we need more people in our area to take advantage of the opportunities the seafood sector has to offer. These videos will help show our youth that traditional industries are still an important and sustainable option for them."

The items will be shared with the seafood industry, learning institutions, employment centres, rural chambers of commerce, the business community and media.

For more information and to view the videos http://novascotia.ca/righthere.