Grads Gain Job Search Program

A new job search service for recent college and university graduates will be piloted by the Department of Education in three Nova Scotia locations this spring.

Grads@Work is a comprehensive job search program for college and university graduates who have completed a degree or certificate program in the past 18 months and have been unable to get career- related employment.

The Department of Education's Career and Transition Services staff, specialists in delivering career development programs, will lead graduates through five days of networking, resume preparation, interviewing, and other job search fundamentals.

Education Minister Jane Purves said Grads@Work will allow participants to learn about themselves and the world of work, and then apply this new knowledge to their career decision-making and job search. The program fulfills a government commitment to assisting Nova Scotia's promising new graduates.

"Our graduates have worked hard and are eager to apply their skills and knowledge here in Nova Scotia," said Ms. Purves. "We want to help them develop careers in their chosen fields."

Grads@Work will help participants gain insight into employer expectations by featuring local employers on panels and presentations throughout the week.

Craig LeBlanc, an employer participating in the school-to-work transition program, said it's vital that job seekers know how to land a job.

"A lot of students don't know that simply dropping off resumes isn't enough," said Mr. LeBlanc, co-owner of Cassa Business Equipment Ltd. in Yarmouth. "Your education may be top-notch, but you may not know the do's and don'ts when applying for work."

Grads@Work will be piloted in Yarmouth, Sydney and Halifax this spring. There is no fee for the program. Information sessions will be held in Yarmouth on Wednesday, Feb. 23, call 902-742-0640 to register, in Sydney on Thursday, Feb. 24, call 902-563-2265 to register, and in Halifax on Tuesday, Feb. 29, call 902-424-6297.