Issues, Trends, Supports and Resources: A Profile of the Quad Counties in the Strait Region, is Phase One of the Partners & Pathways Two Project. The research compiled in this document will provide background information for Phase 2 -- a Spring Forum scheduled for May 26, 2004. The Forum, "Partners & Pathways...Bridging the Skills Gap" will allow participants to discuss the issues, trends, supports and resources leading to the development of an action plan to address the skills and labour market challenges facing the Strait Region. The action plan will constitute Phase 3 of the process and Phase 4, the final component, will establish a strategy for the implementation of the action plan developed from the Forum.

Partners & Pathways 2 is an articulated response to recommendations arising from the Strait Regional Planning Team Conference (Partners & Pathways...The Education Connection), held on May 28, 2003.

Participants in attendance explored recent labour market trends as they relate to employability in the Strait Region where a growing and changing economy requires a skilled and available workforce. Presentations about this changing environment provided participants with an understanding of what federal and provincial frameworks have been designed to address the challenges we face in our communities to ensure a co-ordinated continuum of career/life planning programs and services.

The goal of Phase 2 is to implement recommendations from the conference by:

• Exploring opportunities for a coordinated continuum of career/life planning programs and services as it relates to the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL)

• Identifying the availability of learning opportunities which enhance employability skills and the labour market/career supports required by adult learners to facilitate access to the labour market.

• Developing a co-ordinated strategy for the Strait Regional Planning Team to enhance its capacity to address the needs of the targeted audience.

The target audience for this project will be anyone in the Strait Region with a vested interest in knowing more about the NSSAL -- adult learners, service providers, community or government representatives, members of the business community, etc.

Partners & Pathways 2 is an initiative of the Strait Regional Planning Team of the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning. The project was sponsored by the Richmond County Literacy Network and funded by the National Literacy Secretariat.