The issue of skills supply and demand has been studied for decades (Employment and Immigration Canada 1983; Dodge, D. 1981). What is new is the speed and complexity of technology and workplace skill shifts, demanding higher levels of competence from youth and adults alike. Moreover, in addition to a general increase in the demand for skills, the labour force is growing at a slower pace than in previous decades, with small youth cohorts. (A Report on Adult Education and Training in Canada: Learning a Living).

Nova Scotia is experiencing declining employment in traditional, full-time, maledominated, resource-based work. There is increasing employment in nonstandard, service-oriented, female-dominated, technology-dependant work. Non-standard is defined as self-employment, contract and part-time.⁸

According to Stuart Gourley, Senior Executive Director of Nova Scotia's Department of Education, Skills and Learning Branch, "Nova Scotia's skills shortage problem involves both a shortage of workers in different sectors of the economy — a number of which are new, like oil and gas — and the looming issue of an aging workforce that will soon have to be replaced".⁹ Additionally, Nova Scotia has moved from a resource-based economy. This means that many people must be trained to function in the new economy.

4.1.3 Education/Literacy

Employers have long regarded educational qualifications as proxies for skills. Educational qualifications tend to increase employers' comfort level that the bearer of a given academic credential is more likely to have certain employability skills.¹⁰

The issues affecting Nova Scotia's Economy, as outlined in "Rural Nova Scotia Means Business", are echoed by employers, economic development organizations, community groups, equity groups, employees and people looking for employment. In addition, they consistently mentioned low levels of literacy in Nova Scotia as the barrier to social and economic development of the province.