Banner year for Connector

By Denise De Long

With the start of a new year, I think it’s important to reflect on the success of the past year. And there’s been no shortage of happenings for the Partnership’s Connector Program.

In November, Sasha Sears and I took a road trip to New Brunswick to celebrate the Multicultural Council of New Brunswick’s launch of Connector Programs in Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton.

This brings the total to 13 cities and towns across Canada that have adopted the Connector Program. We’re thrilled that our peers in other provinces are using this program to address their labour shortages and help newcomers connect with opportunities and settle in their communities.

Here at home, the Partnership’s Connector Program has had some success of its own. In the past year the Halifax Connector Program has:

• Signed 129 new Connectors
• Connected 142 participants
• Helped 50 participates find employment
• Received two top international awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

Ending 2012 on a high note, we hosted a speed interviewing event for the insurance industry. We were joined by a group of eager participants who listened to a panel of four prominent insurance industry members: Don Sinclair (Fraser & Hoyt), Misty McKay (A.P Reid), Lynn Cuvelier (TD Insurance) and Ruth Draper (RSA).

The panel did a fabulous job of breaking myths about the insurance industry, and promoting a sector that offers flexibility, portability, above average salaries and career advancement.

Afterwards, one participant told me they thought it was “highly informative and a door opener to the insurance world.”

Following the panel were speed interviews with participants and industry representatives who were impressed with the quality of talent at the event.  On his LinkedIn profile, Don Sinclair said, “I met a group of very bright, focused and keen young men and women who see a positive future for Nova Scotia. I’ll be chatting with my contacts in the local insurance industry this week.”

After such a successful event we’ve added four additional speed interviewing sessions this year thanks to funding from the RBC Foundation.  The sessions will focus on:

The Connector Program is growing at rapid speed, and the team is constantly meeting with local talent looking for opportunities to network and build their career. The strong interest from these individuals creates a high demand for Connectors to come on board.

If you would like to open your doors to newcomers and local young professionals then consider becoming a Connector or attending one of our upcoming speed interviewing events.

With a promising year ahead of us, at least five networking events planned, and more participants signed on, there’s never been a better time to connect with the future talent of Halifax.

If you’re interested in becoming a Connector or participating in an upcoming speed interview event, contact me to find out how you can get involved.

 

Author: Denise De Long

Denise is responsible for managing the Partnership’s Connector Program which is funded under the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

The Power of Relationships