News release

More Support for Hiring Young, Diverse People

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Government hiring programs are helping more diverse young people enter the workforce.

Ramy Metwally, originally from Cairo, Egypt, is a computer science student who is enrolled in Dalhousie University’s co-op program.

He is working at MetOcean Telematics, an international ocean-tech company in Dartmouth.

“I chose Nova Scotia and Dalhousie, because I wanted to learn on-the-job,” said Mr. Metwally. “I’m getting a great education, while helping a fantastic Nova Scotia company continue to grow.”

Next summer, government will offer more incentives to companies hiring young, diverse workers.

Labour and Advanced Education Minister Labi Kousoulis announced today, Aug. 13, that a diversity bonus will be added to two popular programs for university and college students, the Cooperative Education Incentive and the Student Summer Skills Incentive.

The addition of a diversity bonus to these programs will build upon the success of the diversity bonus offered through the Graduate to Opportunity program since 2017. To date, more than 200 young, diverse workers have landed good, well-paying jobs through Graduate to Opportunity.

“We are blessed with young talent, with thousands of young people attending our colleges and universities each year,” said Mr. Kousoulis. “Hiring programs help diverse students develop the skills, experience and networks they need to find good jobs and new opportunities here, while also strengthening businesses and other workplaces across the province.”

MetOcean Telematics has hired co-op students, and new graduates through the Graduate to Opportunity program.

“It’s important for us to hire diverse youth and more importantly retain their talents because they bring new ideas and experiences that we can learn and benefit from,” said Tara Gillis, human resources manager, MetOcean. “They are the driving force behind our engagement and culture.”

The diversity bonus will apply to female students in a non-traditional occupation, people who self-identify as racially visible, Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, a person with a disability or an international graduate. Employers will receive an additional $1 an hour under the Student Summer Skills Incentive and $1.50 an hour through the Co-op Education Incentive. The current subsidies are $8.85 and $7.50 an hour, respectively.

The Student Summer Skills Incentive helps non-profits hire post-secondary students for summer jobs. The Co-op Education Incentive helps businesses, non-profits and municipalities hire university and college co-op students every year. This year, the program will support 1,500 student placements.

For more information on these programs, visit https://novascotia.ca/programs/