(Viking Room) 2. Bridges to Employment

Introduced/Facilitated by Marjorie Davison

Part I - Bridging the Gap : From Education to Employment
This model helps people with academic challenges to improve their employability skills and personal development by giving them specific industry skills. The goal is to improve productivity, leading to stronger businesses and economic development by providing sustainable employment in a manageable time period.

Presented by Michelle Brown, Team Leader, Random North Development Association

Part II - Nova Scotia Learning Plan Initiative
The Older Worker Pilot Project Initiative is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and funded by Human Resources Development Canada. The goal of the initiative is to help older workers re-enter the workforce and maintain employment. Eight pilot projects have been funded across the province. Six of these pilots have incorporated or plan to incorporate opportunities for older workers to upgrade their skills. The mandates of the pilot projects range from providing employment services through an Older Worker Career Transition Centre to developing and piloting a planning toolkit for human resources departments in relation to our aging workforce.

Presented by:
Jeannine Jessome, Older Worker Initiative Coordinator, Skills & Learning Branch, Nova Scotia Department of Education
Ian James, Manager, Employment Delivery Support, Human Development Programs and Services, HRDC-Nova Scotia Region

12:30pm - 1:30pm
Luncheon
Guest Speaker: Dr. Merle Vokey
Cabot Club, Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel

Sponsored by:
Government of Nova Scotia
Government of Prince Edward Island

1:30pm - 2:30pm
Provincial Caucuses
(Plymouth Room) - Newfoundland and Labrador
(Viking Room) - Nova Scotia
(Marconi Room) - New Brunswick
(Garrison/Signal Room) - Prince Edward Island

Four questions to be considered by each caucus:

  1. What are the top 3 priorities which should be addressed in workplace/workforce literacy?
  2. Can you identify the partnerships required to address these priorities?
  3. Who will lead the initiative in the Atlantic Region?
  4. What is the plan of action?

2:30pm - 2:45pm
Coffee/Nutrition Break

2:45pm - 3:30pm
A Call to Action
Chaired by Linda Coles
Report of Conference Auditors
Brigid Hayes, National Literacy Secretariat, HRDC
Nancy Riche, Officer of the Order of Canada
Report of the Provincial Caucuses

3:30pm - 3:45pm
Closing Remarks