The province is again teaming up with local energy sector companies to help Nova Scotia students gain valuable experience in the industry.

“Programs that connect employers and students in the energy sector encourage innovation and growth in our province,” said Energy Minister Andrew Younger.

“Employers benefit from a cost-effective way to recruit new talent, while students gain valuable skills and work experience to help set them up for success in the highly skilled energy sector workforce.”

The Energy Department’s Training Program for Students provides small to medium-sized energy sector businesses with a 50 per cent wage subsidy up to $7.50 per hour for students and recent graduates in Nova Scotia.

Wage subsidies are available to businesses involved in the onshore or offshore energy sector or renewable energy resources for the summer session May 5 to Aug. 29.

“Thanks to this program, we gained an opportunity to work with an enthusiastic, hard-working student and to accelerate our 2014 program planning,” said Andrea Creemer, production engineer, Corridor Resources. “We were so impressed with the calibre of our co-op student that we plan to re-hire him for another work term based on the value he added to our program.”

Since 2002, 358 students and 118 companies have participated in this program. Between 2010 and 2013, 32 per cent of students were retained by their employers.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/energy/careers-training/energy-training-program.asp .

Source: Release