Available through Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund supports:

• Innovation to encourage new products and technologies.
• Infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies.
• Science partnerships between industry, academia and other research institutions to improve our knowledge.

To be eligible for funding, you must:

• Reside in a participating province.
• Be active in or support activities related to the fish and seafood harvesting, processing or aquaculture sectors.
• Demonstrate maximum economic benefits accruing to the Atlantic Region.

Benefit to Employers

• The AFF is intended to help Canada’s fish and seafood sector to transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally.
• Its aim is to bring high value, high quality and sustainable products to markets at home and around the world.

Contact Information

For support with your application contact
[email protected] or 1-844-795-9718

Available through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

• The Atlantic Innovation Fund assists in developing and bringing to market new products and services that meet market demands and global quality standards.
• Adapts new technology to meet business needs or respond to market opportunities.
• Supports Atlantic Canada’s new and traditional sectors pursue opportunities, solve challenges, stay competitive and grow.

Benefit to Employers

• Can aid Atlantic Canada at competing at home and abroad by supporting the development of innovative products and services that lead to commercial success.

Available through The Province of Nova Scotia

• Businesses can apply for a cost-shared grant to make accessibility-related improvements. Improvements can be for clients and customers, for employees or both.
• Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming commercial environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities.
• Limit of $100,000 per applicant per year.

The five categories of funding:

Built Environment:
Removing physical barriers for persons to access business services, by installing ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers, and other projects.

Accessible Communications Services:
Ensuring that all customers, clients and employees can access information related to a business.

Assistive Devices:
Ensuring that employees and consumers who are person with disabilities have the devices they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business.

Universal Design Capacity Building:
Training in the field of Universal Design, both for technical services professionals and for persons with disabilities wishing to better understand its value.

Accessible Transportation:
Providing support for businesses to improve access to transportation services.

Benefit to Employers

• Removes barriers and promotes inclusion within your business

Contact Information

Wayne Matheson
[email protected]
(902) 424-4408

Available through Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED)

• The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) offers customized one-on-one Business Advisory Services.
• You’ll be matched with a member of their Senior Business Advisory Team, who will meet with you for the number of hours you feel you need to get the expert advice and support your business needs.
• The fee for Business Advisory Services is $49 per hour, plus HST.

Benefit to Employers

• Can help answer your business-related questions.
• Offers the flexibility of meeting in person at their CEED offices or online via Adobe Connect (must have a computer equipped a with camera, speaker and microphone).

Available through Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc

• Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc is a provincial development agency with the mission to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors. They are Nova Scotia’s only technical development agency focused solely on our food sector and maximizing its value.

Perennia works with companies in the fisheries sector in three key areas:
• Quality and food safety initiatives and training
• Product development and research to commercialize new products or improve current ones
• Sector development projects with the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and other industry partners

Benefit to Employers

• Product Development
Accelerating clients with technical support and scale up of new products or processes or enhancements in those areas.

• Quality & Food Safety
Their quality and food safety specialists can help you maintain and access new markets.

Contact Information

To discuss your needs in all areas, we encourage seafood companies to reach out to:

Ashley Sprague
(902) 955-0248
[email protected]

Available through Efficiency Nova Scotia

• Efficiency Nova Scotia has a range of programs, rebates and incentives that will help your plant or business run more efficiently.

If interested:

1. Employers must fill out a very short online contact form.
2. A Business Development Manager who specializes in the Manufacturing industry will be in touch with you to discuss which services and programs are best for your business.

Benefit to Employers

• Can help identify the programs and rebates that will be the ideal fit for your business.
• Can provide comprehensive energy management plans to help streamline work, reduce waste and create a more productive environment for your employees.

Contact Information

E-mail: [email protected] or phone: 1-877-999-6035

Available through Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc

• Perennia is providing non-repayable financial assistance to Nova Scotia commercial entities in the fishing, aquaculture, marine plant harvesting and seafood buying/ processing sector to increase productivity, competitiveness, quality and sustainability in the fish and seafood sector under NS-ITAP.
• Depending on the nature and scope of the project, funding may also be awarded to Nova Scotia-based industry groups or associations.

Subject to funding availability, the Program is scheduled to run from May 1, 2024 to February 28, 2026

Benefit to Employers

• NS-ITAP is offering up to $99,900 in non-repayable assistance per project inclusive of all operations per fiscal year at a maximum assistance rate of 70 percent depending on the nature of the project.

Contact Information

Ashley Sprague
[email protected]
902-955-0248

Available through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

•The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, and by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies.

Benefit to Employers

• Offers business advice and guidance.
• Can help finance your business idea.
• Assist in making your business become more competitive.
• Provides free forms, templates, fact sheets, research studies and tools to help you with your project.

Available through Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

• The objective of the Apprenticeship START program is to encourage employers to register, retain and support their apprentices to completion during their apprenticeship journey.
• The program has a focus of small to medium-sized businesses/organizations including not-for-profits and social enterprises that have business locations and jobs in Nova Scotia.
• Employers can receive up to $25,000 in funding for the duration of the apprenticeship. If the employer hires an apprentice from an under-represented group, the funding increases to $30,000.

Benefit to Employers

• Apprentices become highly specialized in your processes, equipment and customers.
• Many employers find that those who started as apprentices end up being their future leaders.
• It’s a proven way to develop the right talent for your workplace
• They’re smart, motivated and bring fresh energy to your workplace.

Contact Information

Halifax Front Desk: 902-424-5651

Available through The Government of Canada

•  The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
• The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally.

Benefit to Employers

• Can help employers in Atlantic Canada hire foreign skilled workers who want to immigrate to Atlantic Canada and international graduates who want to stay in Atlantic Canada after they graduate.

Available through Access Nova Scotia

• The available programs offer businesses start-up funding for equipment, to hire employees and develop markets. It provides information on some of the many private and public programs, services and funds that are available in Nova Scotia.

Benefit to Employers

• Discover what program suits your business needs.

Available through The Government of Canada

• The Canada Summer Jobs Program is committed to providing quality work experience for young people between the ages of 15-30.
• The core focus of the program is to help young people gain new work skills, experience and abilities to help enter the labour workforce.
• Provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public-sector and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees.

Benefit to Employers

• Creates quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The Co-operative Education Incentive provides wage assistance to organizations that offer career-related work experiences for university and college co-operative students.
• The work placement must be endorsed in advance by a university or college Coop Coordinator.
• All organizations that apply for CEI must first register as a LaMPSS organization (Labour Market Programs Support System). This is a one-time registration process that allows you to create an account and apply for the CEI program through the LaMPSS online platform.

Benefit to Employers

• Employers can hire a co-op student for a work term of 12-16 weeks. You’ll receive a subsidy of $8 an hour ($9.50 if the student is a member of designated diversity group) for the wages you pay the student
• 32 week terms are available in some education programs- please confirm with the Co-op Coordinator at the post-secondary institution.

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The Graduate to Opportunity Program is helping to build a stronger workforce and retain young people in Nova Scotia with a salary incentive that makes it easier to hire recent graduates.
• To qualify for the program, you must be a small business with less than 100 employees.
• The position must be new, permanent, full-time and pay at least $30,000 a year.
• Graduates who are eligible to be hired through the program must meet the following criteria:an individual who has successfully completed a post-secondary program within one year of the date the employer application is submitted.
• All organizations that apply for GTO must first register as a LaMPSS organization (Labour Market Programs Support System). This is a one-time registration process that allows you to create an account and apply for the GTO program through the LaMPSS online platform.

Benefit to Employers

• Employers receive 25% of the first year’s salary – 35% if the new graduate is a member of a designated diversity group – and 12.5% of the second year’s salary.
• Applications are typically approved within 5 business days.

Contact Information

Phone: 902-424-6000 or e-mail: [email protected]

Available through Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)

• The GradWorks: Employer Incentive Program matches small to medium-sized businesses across Nova Scotia with skilled and talented NSCC graduates from three eligible programs.
• To participate in this program, a graduate must have completed an eligible NSCC program within the last three years.
• GradWorks is available to graduates from the following programs: Human Resource Management (Graduate Certificate), Industrial Engineering Technology (Diploma) and Occupational Health & Safety (Diploma).

Benefit to Employers

• Receive up to 66 per cent salary support – to a maximum of $30,360 – when you hire a qualified NSCC graduate for up to a one-year period
• Gain the professional expertise of a recent graduate in their field of study.

Contact Information

Work-Integrated Learning Coordinator
[email protected]

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• Innovate to Opportunity (ITO) is helping well-educated graduates start their careers in Nova Scotia while helping businesses become more innovative and export-oriented.
• The program provides an incentive to hire recent masters and PhD grads for jobs that are focused on research and innovation that will help businesses begin, prepare for or expand exports.
• This program is available to small and medium-sized businesses with up to 500 full-time employees operating in Nova Scotia.

To be eligible for the program, employers must create a new full-time position that:
○ is based in Nova Scotia
○ is focused on innovation
○ pays at least $60,000 a year

• All organizations that apply for (ITO) must first register as a LaMPSS organization (Labour Market Programs Support System). This is a one-time registration process that allows you to create an account and apply for the (ITO) program through the LaMPSS online platform.

Benefit to Employers

• Employers can receive salary incentives in one of two streams: Innovation Stream or Advanced Innovation Stream
• 35%- 50% of the graduate’s annual salary in Year 1 will be covered depending on what stream is chosen

Available through Saint Mary’s University

• Options Youth is a employment wage subsidy program funded by Service Canada and facilitated by the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary’s. The program consist of personalized skill training and paid work placements to help Nova Scotian youth overcome barriers to enter the workforce.
• This program seeks to connect youth with employers for a 700 hour work term to gain experience necessary to get employed, and stay employed. Participants will engage in virtual training throughout the program via the Options Online learning platform to engage further upskill their toolbox.

Benefit to Employers

• Provides financial assistance to companies so they can hire young talent to contribute to their innovation needs.

Contact Information

Call toll-free at 1-877-994-4727. They will ask you some questions about your business to determine if you are eligible, including your business objectives and your capacity and willingness to grow through innovation.

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The Start Program encourages employers to hire Nova Scotians requiring work experience.
• Financial incentives will be provided to employers with a labour need willing to support ready-to-work Nova Scotians.
• Has a focus on small to medium-sized enterprises and not-for-profit organizations with an identified vacancy or need are eligible for support.
• All organizations that apply for START must first register as a LaMPSS organization (Labour Market Programs Support System). This is a one-time registration process that allows you to create an account and apply for the START program through the LaMPSS online platform.

Benefit to Employers

• The provided incentive can be used to pay for the individual’s wages, MERC, training costs and/or other related costs associated with hiring a new employee.
• Incentives vary and are based on an evaluation.

Contact Information

Employment Nova Scotia
1-877-223-0888

Available through The Government of Canada

• The CanExport funding program provides Canadian government grants to support export marketing projects including participation in trade shows and government-led trade missions.
• The program focuses on export marketing activities of existing products and services in foreign markets.
• In light of COVID-19, CanExport SMEs activities requiring travel are currently on hold. However, they are accepting new applications for CanExport SMEs.

How Funding Works
• CanExport SME provides funding on a cost-sharing basis with the recipient. The applicant may submit a maximum budget of $100,000; the minimum budget is set at $20,000.
• The program funds up to 75% of eligible costs for $15,000 to $75,000 in funding per project. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% (in-kind contributions are not permitted).

Benefit to Employers

•Businesses can de-risk export market evaluation and development, ultimately helping to accelerate international growth.
•Expert advice for digital and e-commerce marketing (Category F) is now eligible.

Available through Nova Scotia Business Inc

• The Export Development Program supports businesses looking to increase their export sales outside of Nova Scotia by providing financial incentives for projects that assist a business’s ability to overcome barriers to export growth.
• Contributes up to 50% of eligible costs to a max of $15,000 CAD per fiscal year.

Benefit to Employers

• Mitigating in-person and virtual trade show/conference costs by funding participation fees, conference fees and physical or virtual booth space.
• Have foreign clients, potential partners or investors visit your Nova Scotia facility.

Contact Information

Phone: 902-424- 5054 or e-mail: [email protected]

Available through Export Development Canada (EDC)

• Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip employers with the tools they need to grow their business with confidence.

Their services include:
Trade knowledge: We provide expertise that enables our customers to make informed decisions and learn more about international markets.
Financial solutions: We help companies get access to capital and credit by working with financial institution partners.
Insurance: We offer protection that lowers the risk for Canadian companies doing business beyond our borders.
Connections: We connect Canadian and international companies to help both parties grow their business.

Benefit to Employers

• Their export advisors work with Canadian businesses to support your global growth.
• Got a question about markets outside of the U.S., EU and Mexico? Submit your questions directly to their advisors. They will be in touch with an answer.

Available through Nova Scotia Business Inc.

•The Scotians Global Advisor program connects you and your business with a global network of advisors who are passionate about the success and growth of Nova Scotia. (There is no fee to participate in this program)

Here is what you can expect as a Scotians participant:
• Work with the Scotians’ Program Manager to better understand your current business challenges and barriers.
• Be matched and introduced to relevant global advisors who are ready to provide guidance, fresh perspectives, and insights across a variety of topics.

Eligibility:
• Be engaged or plan to engage in commercial activities outside of Nova Scotia;
• Have a fully developed exportable product, service, technology, or intellectual property that can be sold into a target market outside of Nova Scotia;
• Have an export plan (refer to the Scotians Program Guidelines for more detailed requirements).

Benefit to Employers

• Gain insight and knowledge by networking with key influencers and industry experts within Nova Scotia’s community of expats, alumni and friends of the province.

Contact Information

E-mail: [email protected]

Available through Atlantic Chamber of Commerce

•The Europe Market Development Program (EMDP) is a powerful advisory and consultation program that is helping Atlantic Canada exporters expand their presence and grow sales in new industry sectors and countries in Europe.

Participation in EMDP provides personalized access to:
• Up to 20 days of one-on-one professional business development and in-market services, delivered by OCO Global
• Development of a tailor-made Strategic Market Entry Workplan including identification of pre-qualified connections to executive level decision-makers
• Dedicated services of in-market business development professionals to help drive sales generation and market development activities
• Coordinated access to existing federal and provincial export development resources and a network of export development officials

Qualifying for the EMDP
• Applicants should be experienced exporter companies currently selling outside of Atlantic Canada. They will be interviewed by export development officers and upon acceptance into the program will be required to pay a non-refundable participation fee of $4,750.00 CAD plus HST.

Benefit to Employers

•Offers eligible Atlantic Canada exporters everything they need to know to increase sales by integrating more efficiently and deeply into European markets as well as access to resources that support the development and execution of a tailor-made market entry strategy.

Contact Information

Pamela Rudolph
Manager, Market Development
902-401-8918

Available through Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) offers a free 12-week English-learning program for immigrant employees to help them with on-the-job language skills (two 90-minute sessions per week).
• Delivered by a qualified EAL instructor and encompasses speaking, listening, writing, reading and Canadian workplace culture.
• Training can be completed in person or by distance.

Benefit to Employers

• Customized individual or group language training for immigrant employees assisting with their adjustment in the Canadian workplace, enhancing communication and fostering working relationships.

Contact Information

ISANS Mumford
Phone: 902-423-3607
Toll free in Nova Scotia: 1-866-431-6472
Fax: 902-423-3154

ISANS Joe Howe
Phone: 902-406-7794

Email Us
[email protected]

Available through Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

• This is an employer-facing program, providing assistance to employers hiring immigrants. They provide virtual and in-person workshops, presentations and discussions, drawing from wide ranging expertise and highly engaging approaches. Beyond the basics, they provide Intercultural assessments and practical steps to retain and benefit from our immigrant friends and neighbors.
• This program increases your skills, knowledge and awareness of what is required.

Benefit to Employers

• Gain information on how to improve cross-cultural competence in your workplace.
• Improve your company’s ability to retain immigrant personnel.

Contact Information

Paul Pickering | Coordinator, Workplace Culture | 902-406-8693 – [email protected]

Jordan Remedios | Facilitator, Workplace Culture | 902-406-4089 – [email protected]

Available through Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

• The Professional Practice Program connects employers across Nova Scotia with skilled immigrant professionals.

The program is:

• Flexible: Up to six weeks part or full-time depending on need.
• Low Risk: All participants insured against injury at workplace.
• Targeted: Individual skills matched with employer needs.
• Career Focused: Participants are professionals with related education and skills.
• No Strings Attached: No obligation to hire or pay – can be terminated by either party at any time.

Benefit to Employers

• All participants are job ready and legally eligible to work in Canada.
• As a host employer, you would offer a participant the chance to work in your organization for up to six weeks at no cost to your business.

Contact Information

ISANS Mumford
Phone: 902-423-3607
Toll free in Nova Scotia: 1-866-431-6472
Fax: 902-423-3154

ISANS Joe Howe
Phone: 902-406-7794

Email Us
[email protected]

Available through Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centres

• Nova Scotia Works offers a FREE online guidance tool for creating a welcoming workplace.
• Provides downloadable guides and templates to assist companies in keeping and managing valued employees in a diverse workforce.

Benefit to Employers

• Employers who tap into the full potential of the province’s workforce by building an inclusive work environment are poised to better attract and retain workers.

Available through Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)

• The Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) provides consultant advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Atlantic Canada.
• Employers can access technical and financial assistance from consultants.
• Eligible CAS activities include: Diagnostic Assessments, Business Management Development Practices, Access to Capital, Market Readiness/Export Potential, Specific Studies/Business Plan Mentoring, Business Coaching, Business Valuation and Aftercare/Mentoring and Follow-Up

Benefit to Employers

• Can increase the profitability of your business.
• Gain more knowledge about best business practices through experienced professionals.

Available through Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centres

• Nova Scotia Works centres have hands-on staff who specialize in assisting employers and business owners with their unique needs.
• Employer Engagement Specialists provides tools, links and resources related to Human Resources.
• Navigates federal and provincial funding programs to find a match based on your business needs.
• Provides follow up and support to employers during the job search process.
• For more information about Nova Scotia Works visit: https://novascotia.ca/works/

Benefit to Employers

• Informs employers about government-funded programs.
• Assistance with the creation of job descriptions and ads.
• Posting of job vacancies online and in-house.

Available through The Employer Advisor Nova Scotia Society (OEA)

• The Employer Advisor Nova Scotia Society (OEA) assists businesses with a broad range of programs and services from Workers’ Compensation, Occupational Health and Safety, Human Resources management issues to employment matters.
• A range of their services are FREE!

Benefit to Employers

• Advocate for employers.
• Provide employer focused training.
• Promote healthy and safe workplaces and workplace practices.

Contact Information

Phone: 902-442-9366 Fax: 902-252-3466 [email protected]

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The purpose of this Guide is to help people understand how Nova Scotia Labour Standards legislation applies to employment relationships and the role of the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Division in enforcing the legislation.
• Labour Standards legislation establishes the minimum employment rules in Nova Scotia that employers and employees must follow. It includes rules specific to recruiting workers and hiring foreign workers. These rules also include minimum standards for wages, deductions from pay, vacation pay, overtime pay, holidays with pay, leaves, ending employment and other things.

NOTE: This Guide deals only with Nova Scotia Labour Standards legislation. There are other laws that might apply to employment relationships such as Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation and Human Rights legislation.

Benefit to Employers

• Help your business make well informed employment related decisions.

Contact Information

Inquiries About Employment Rights Toll free within NS: 1-888-315-0110 Tel: 902-424-4311 Fax: 902-424-0648 [email protected]

Available through Nova Scotia Works

• The HR Toolkit is a FREE online resource containing information and tools for small and medium-sized employers in Nova Scotia.
• The toolkit was designed to provide information and resources to help employers in Nova Scotia achieve their goals and compete in today’s marketplace.

Benefit to Employers

• The web page includes ideas and tips, practical guides, checklists, downloadable templates and links to other relevant resources that will help you find, keep and develop valued employees.

Available through Government of Canada

• The Government of Canada provides information on HR topics such as Keeping Employee Records, Managing and Training Employees and Resources for Employers.

Benefit to Employers

• Provides valuable and FREE HR resources for your business.

Available through Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centres

• Employers with vacancies to fill are welcome to post their openings on their site. There is no charge for this service.
• Simply complete an Employer Job Posting Form.
• Your post will be automatically deleted on the date that you specify. If no closing date is specified, your post will remain up for 30 days.
• Your job posting will be viewed provincially at: http://www.novascotiaworks.ca

Reach out to your local Nova Scotia Works location for more information!

Benefit to Employers

• FREE for employers
• Have your job posting reach more job seekers (NS Work’s clients)

Contact Information

1(866) 711-0411 (toll free)
(902) 543-0284 (fax)

Available through Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

• ISANS Skills Match provides a FREE online resource for accessing skilled immigrant professionals.
•  Is a recruitment resource for companies that features pre-screened, internationally educated professionals who have already worked with an employment specialist and are ready to work in Canada.
• It offers a job posting component where employers can post jobs and view immigrant talent at a time convenient to them.

Benefit to Employers

• Provides direct access to a pool of skilled immigrant professionals.
• Free, confidential and efficient.

Contact Information

E-mail: [email protected]

Available through Government of Canada

• The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers FREE safety training to the residences of Nova Scotia.
• These courses are delivered, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
• There are a variety of online courses to choose from- a limit of 5 courses per person, per calendar year.

Benefit to Employers

• Provides up-to-date and relevant topics in both health and safety.

Available through Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)

• The Create a Program contains eight simple steps to help you make working safe a top-of-mind concern throughout your organization.
• The eight steps give you the basics for starting an effective and sustainable health and safety program.

Benefit to Employers

• Improve your workplace safety culture.

Available through a variety of organizations

Slips, Trips & Falls

http://www.worksafeforlife.ca/Home/Injury-Prevention/Protecting-your-Body/Slips-Trips-Falls

Musculoskeletal Injuries

http://www.worksafeforlife.ca/Home/Injury-Prevention/Protecting-your-Body/Musculoskeletal-Injuries

Your Return-to-Work Program

https://www.wcb.ns.ca/Return-to-Work/Your-Return-to-Work-Program.aspx

Regulations

https://novascotia.ca/lae/healthandsafety/pubs.asp#regs

Nova Scotia OHS Act

https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/occupational%20health%20and%20safety.pdf

Benefit to Employers

Provides valuable safety information that can be shared within your business.

Available through Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)

• The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) provides resources that are available to help you make your next safety meeting engaging and informative.

Topics include:

• Protecting your body: find out how small changes can make a big difference to reduce the most common injury in NS.
• Tools for a safer workplace: safety education is required for all workplaces. These tools can help you get started!
• Examples of safe and healthy workplaces begin with everyone stepping in. See where these journeys have led.
• Order safety materials for FREE, have prevention and return-to-work materials mailed directly to you.

Benefit to Employers

• WCB provides tools and resources to help employers and workers create safe workplaces.
• The provided resources can help support and promote a safety culture within your business.

Available through Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)

• The Small Business Safety Toolkit  provide tools for management including information on how to create a safe workplace.

Benefit to Employers

• Contains informative tools to increase knowledge on workplace safety, legal requirements, health and safety policies and more.
• Can help you better understand how health and safety plays a role in day-to-day operations.

Available through Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)

• A WCB Safety Certified accreditation is issued to companies who have passed an audit of their health and safety management system. The audits are conducted by audit providers approved by the WCB to conduct WCB Safety Certified audits.
• A WCB Safety Certified audit measures the effectiveness of a company’s health and safety management system across 22 elements.

Benefit to Employers

• WCB Safety Certified accreditation demonstrates that your business takes safety seriously.

Contact Information

For more information about WCB Safety Certified, contact [email protected].

Available through Digital Nova Scotia

• Digital Nova Scotia offers FREE online training courses for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to move their business online or to enhance their virtual presence.

They include:
• Facebook Blueprint Training
• Google Skillshop Training
• Digital Photography Training
• Shopify Compass Training

Benefit to Employers

• Gain the insights needed to bring your business online.
• Enhance your company’s online presence.

Available through Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

• The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission serves as a resource for individuals and organizations across the province wishing to create respectful and inclusive workplaces.
• Their public education and training initiatives help employers and their employees promote respect for diversity and reduce discriminatory practices, thereby ultimately creating healthier work environments.

The available videos:

○ Serving All Customers Better
○ Safe Spaces Make Great Workplaces
○ Working with Abilities

Benefit to Employers

• FREE eLearning tools and resources.

Available through Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division

• Workplaces will acquire generalized to core mental health knowledge
• Develop powers of reasoning and judgement associated with a variety of mental health-related topics
• Please note: All sessions are currently virtual due to COVID-19

There are (3) sessions to choose from:
o Mental Health in the Workplace
o Recovery & Resilience
o Stress Management

Target audience: Workplaces
Duration: Half-day (3 hours)
Cost:$600 + HST (15-25 participants)

Benefit to Employers

• Participants will develop an understanding of the principles of mental health and its connection to the workplace

Contact Information

To register or request information on their education and training sessions, please contact the CMHA Nova Scotia Division toll-free: 1-877-466-6606 ext. 401

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, CBDC and Bluedrop

SkillsPass is a workforce skill development hub for seafood employers and employees. Upgrade your skills from the comfort of your own home.

Visit our training marketplace, where you can browse their library of available FREE on-line courses!

• Leadership Essentials
• Working with Difficult People
• Business Essentials – Communication
• Business Essentials – Workplace Conflict

Benefit to Employers

• Employees have the ability to build their own courses.
• Increase productivity at NO COST.

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The One Journey Initiative provides support for unemployed and underemployed Nova Scotians.
• Essential skills and customized training are a part of every project.
• The initiative is designed to address labour shortages in partnership between LAE, industry and the community.

Benefit to Employers

• Can help improve your company’s retention rates and benefit from employees who have received technical and essential skills training.

Available through Food Processing Skills Canada

• The Canadian Food Processors Institute offers cost-effective courses created by industry and built on the official National Occupation Standard.
• Through a simple log in process – individuals, businesses, human resource professionals and educators can navigate through a comprehensive selection of high quality, online training (prices vary).
• Their courses are developed with subject matter experts – for industry by industry. Course content is applicable to real world scenarios and is engaging and informative.

Benefit to Employers

• All content is built on the official Canadian National Occupational Standards.
• Providing cost effective training for the food industry.

Available through ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership

• Their workshops include group discussions, personal reflection, skills practice, presentation and videos.
• They offer over 50 different workshop topics.

They were created to be:

Accessible: No academic-style lectures
Applicable: Material can be transferred to real-world challenges and opportunities
Engaging: Relational trainers illustrate content with stories and humour
Interactive: Plenty of activities and discussions
Practical: Skills and tools designed for easy use in your setting

Benefit to Employers

• Improve workplace culture
• Enhance employee skills

Contact Information

Phone: 204-452-0180
Toll Free: 877-270-9776
Email: [email protected]

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The Workplace Education Initiative Program promotes learning at work and supports the development of a skilled, adaptable and competitive workforce by increasing workplace essential skills.
• Provides education and training on a broad range of topics from Literacy and Essential Skills to Communication, Leadership and Academic upgrading.
• A workplace must participate in an Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA). The ONA process involves consultation with employees who represent all levels of your organization.
• Classes are small with seven to twelve participants and delivery is based on adult education principals.
• Programs can range between 34-120 hours, delivered in 2, 3 or 4-hour sessions, continuing over several weeks or months.

Benefit to Employers

• Relevant curriculum is customized to the needs of the participants and the workplace so that the learning is a true reflection of the skills required in the workplace.
• Essential Skills provide the foundation for learning other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace changes.
• Everyone in the workplace is a potential learner.

Contact Information

Workplace Education Coordinator:
https://novascotia.ca/lae/workplace-education/contact.asp

Available through NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration

• The Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI) supplements employer contributions to train full-time staff who are permanently located in Nova Scotia. The goal is to improve productivity and profitability, increase innovation, adapt to new technology, machinery and equipment, or work processes, increase inter-provincial and international competitiveness and foster workplace diversity.
• If you are a small business in Nova Scotia with less than 50 employees, you may be eligible for up to 100% of your training costs to be covered up to $10,000. For larger businesses, WIPSI provides up to 50% of direct training costs.
• All organizations that apply for (WIPSI) must first register as a LaMPSS organization (Labour Market Programs Support System). This is a one-time registration process that allows you to create an account and apply for (WIPSI) through the LaMPSS online platform.

Benefit to Employers

• Funding is available to support training based on a valid business case, eligible training expenses and owners/employees permanently located in Nova Scotia.

Contact Information

Phone: 1-844-850-2030