Graduate to Opportunity Provides Opportunities for New Graduates

More than 100 new graduates have launched their careers in Nova Scotia thanks to the Graduate to Opportunity program.

"This program has allowed Nova Scotia businesses to realize the creativity, energy and skill that a new graduate can offer," said Premier Stephen McNeil, today, March 23. "This program means more opportunities for recent graduates."

"It means more of our daughters and sons staying here in Nova Scotia. And it means more young people coming from away and calling Nova Scotia home."

Graduate to Opportunity provides salary contributions to eligible businesses that hire recent graduates. The offset is 25 per cent in the first year and 12.5 per cent in the second.

It is available to Nova Scotia-based small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Startup companies, social enterprises, not-for-profits and registered charities are also eligible.

"Businesses need to provide more opportunities for youth to stay and prosper here in Nova Scotia," said John Leahy, president of immediaC Worldwide in Bedford. "It is critical to the growth of our company and to the growth of the IT sector here in the province."

immediaC hired recent Dalhousie University graduate Tom Minshull under the program.

"After more than six months of searching for work I was seriously considering leaving Nova Scotia," said Mr. Minshull. "But thankfully John saw the potential I had to help him grow his business, and with the creation of my position I am now able to stay here."

Government provided more than $1 million in funding for Graduate to Opportunity in year one. The funding will increase to $3.2 million this year.

This program is part of government's Make it Here initiative that provides more opportunities for young Nova Scotians. Visit the Make it Here website at http://makeithere.novascotia.ca/ .