An evolution is taking place at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Our new strategic plan calls for new names for the Chamber’s task forces. The Grow & Nurture the Skilled Workforce Task Force will now be called the Accessing the Skilled Workforce Task Force.
We think this new name reflects the goals and aspirations for the task force for the next five years. In particular, the task force will be working with partners and on individual projects to advocate for:
• An increase of immigration to achieve the targets within the Ivany Commission report;
• Greater youth retention through work integrated learning to ensure successful job placement; and
• An increase in entrepreneurship training and development.
Our focus is to increase the number of skilled workers available to employers within our region. We want our youth and immigrants to have the skills and education that our employers are looking for, so supply can match demand. Talent needs to meet business needs and businesses need to know that the talent is available. To happen, we must attract and retain immigrants, new graduates and youth with the skills and talent required to grow our economy. To make this happen, we will collaborate with all partners to continue to build on the success to-date of enhancing the connectivity between individuals looking for careers and businesses looking for human capital.
The task force will also look to understand future workforce needs and coordinate with our world-class educational institutions, as new and innovative programs are developed and delivered. We will work to expand the many work-integrated learning alliances with the public and private sectors to help increase employment rates after graduation. We will advocate to expand entrepreneurship training in our schools through mentorship programs, to provide younger youth the chance to see the benefits of opening a business. Increasing the number of businesses in Halifax will have a direct impact on our economy and our ability as a city to provide new and better services to the population.
As before, the task force will continue to collaborate with great partners like the Nova Scotia Provincial Government, the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Halifax Partnership, as well as with local businesses and organizations within our region. Our members are aware of the work the task forces do to ensure future needs can be met and each task force member is acutely aware of the positive impacts of their actions.
And as a skilled workforce needs to have a balanced demand-supply equation, so, too, does the task force. We have begun a new recruitment campaign and are always looking for new additions to our team. Should you feel that your skills and talents could further our goals and you feel passionate about our labour force and general population of Halifax, please send your interest along to Kathleen MacEachern, the Chamber’s Policy and Research Analyst, at kathleen@halifaxchamber.com.
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