Province Announces New Graduate Placement Program

The province is enticing more students to stay in Nova Scotia after graduating by helping them secure good jobs.

Today, March 7, Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris announced a new program that will encourage employers to hire recent co-operative education graduates in high-demand areas.

"More youth who have gone through the co-operative education programs will now have the opportunity to stay and build their futures here in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Paris. "This innovative program gives graduates the chance to develop the skills they need for good jobs. And that's what jobsHere is all about."

The province is investing $400,000 to provide a 50 per cent wage subsidy for the first three months of employment, up to a maximum of $7,500. The program is expected to support 50 job placements in 2012-13.

"The Graduate Placement Program will provide advantages for the future success of students and employers who hire our graduates," said Carolyn Watters, vice-president academic and provost at Dalhousie University. "Our co-operative education programs complement the academic experience and provide great opportunities for students to gain career related work experience."

The province will encourage students to explore co-operative opportunities in sectors such as ocean technology, financial service, information and communication technologies, and aerospace and defence. The initiative has been developed with Nova Scotia's colleges and universities that offer co-op programs.

The Workforce Strategy program is part of jobsHere, the plan to grow our economy.

"This program will link graduates with potential employers," said Mr. Paris. "In turn, this will strengthen our work force with people who have experience and the right skills for good jobs."