Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership’s Connector Program is launching an Island-wide pitch competition with virtual activities planned throughout the fall with a chance to win a top cash prize of $1,000.

Hire Me Cape Breton will focus on highlighting the Island’s top talent through exposure to Cape Breton employers by inviting students approaching graduation, new grads, newcomers, and job seekers to submit a 60 second video pitch. Using the video to tell local employers why they should be their next hire, participants will then upload video submissions to YouTube and submit the video link through the official submission portal at www.HireMeCapeBreton.com. Submissions will be accepted from October 14 to October 26.

“COVID-19 has reinforced the relevance of virtual communication for both businesses and individuals,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Most jobs, over 80%, are found through your professional network. This pitch contest is an opportunity for new graduates, youth, and other job seekers to promote themselves and to be seen by some of Cape Breton’s top businesses.”

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee of local professionals who will then identify the top five pitch submissions. Those top five submissions will then be voted on by the public to decide the top prize winner.

“We know that the pandemic has made it incredibly hard for new graduates and other job seekers to connect with employers and even to feel hopeful about starting their careers,” says Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator Robyn Lee Seale. “Hire Me Cape Breton is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent to the Island and for the Island to see just how much talent we have.”

Visit www.HireMeCapeBreton.com for the full rules & regulations and to submit your pitch today! The Cape Breton Partnership also launched the Cape Breton Job Board this summer for local employers looking to promote vacant jobs or job seekers looking for employment on Cape Breton Island. The job board can be found at www.capebretonjobboard.com.

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Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

About the Cape Breton Connector Program:
Administered by the Cape Breton Partnership, the Cape Breton Connector Program is a formalized networking initiative. We connect new university or college graduates and newcomers to industry professionals; host networking events to showcase Cape Breton talent; support inclusion through promoting integration; and help keep talent on our beautiful Island. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com/initiatives/connector/.

Pivoting Perspective.

Read this cover story and much more in our October 2020 edition of Elevate Magazine.

Hosted by the Cape Breton Partnership, this webinar features a presentation and update from Deborah Page, Director of Marketing and Communications with Develop Nova Scotia on the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative in Cape Breton. This update was held on Zoom on September 30, 2020.

Click here for the slide deck presentation used in the session.

Cape Breton Island, NS – As Cape Breton families and businesses start to settle into the routine that fall brings, the need to support local remains strong.

As Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership is dusting off the well-known Think Cape Breton First brand, and launching #CapeBretonFirst, an Island-wide campaign to encourage Cape Bretoners to buy, eat, and stay local.

“Think Cape Breton First has been around for over two decades, and the message still rings true today, “ says Carla Arsenault, Cape Breton Partnership President & CEO. “Our purchasing power matters now more than ever. When we as an island think Cape Breton First – every dollar spent on-Island contributes to a better Cape Breton – Unama’ki.”

As part of the campaign, the Cape Breton Partnership has partnered with the Breton Ability Centre who will make #CapeBretonFirst shirts, hats, storefront/car decals, pens and tote bags available for sale online through their retail shop, The Best of Cape Breton, at https://bestofcbgiftshop.ca/collections/cape-breton-first.  All proceeds from the sales will be donated back to the Breton Ability Centre. 

“Being able to partner with the Cape Breton Partnership on this campaign is very exciting as it helps us raise awareness about the many abilities that people with varying disabilities have,” says Harman Singh, Breton Ability Centre CEO. “Every order that we receive at our Social Enterprises creates an employment opportunity for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.  Most importantly it links us to the broader community in Cape Breton which we are so proud to be part of!”

As part of today’s kick-off, a social media component will begin where Cape Bretoners are encouraged to snap photos of their support of the campaign, and then tag the Cape Breton Partnership on social media using the #CapeBretonFirst hashtag. A video to launch the campaign was also created in partnership Seaside Wireless Communications Inc..

In the late 1990s, the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority and Industrial Cape Breton Board of Trade launched the original Think Cape Breton First campaign. Business Cape Breton later relaunched the brand with a refreshed logo in 2014. Now, amidst the impacts of COVID-19, the brand is back and refreshed as #CapeBretonFirst. In an effort to reflect Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s diverse cultures and communities, the updated brand is materials are available in English, French (#CapBretonEnPremier), Mi’kmaw (#UnamakiTmk), and Gaelic (#CeapBreatainnAnToiseach).   

For more information, visit www.cape-breton-first.com.

Arsenault adds, “It’s not about getting back to normal, it’s about getting back to better. We must take care of our economy. In doing so, we are taking care of one another.”

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Media Contact:

Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership: The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our Island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

About Breton Ability Centre: Breton Ability Centre is a dynamic organization that is committed to providing quality services and supports to people of varying disabilities. They serve individuals who are coping with complex challenges due to severe developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and/or complicating physical disabilities. Their professional staff supports individuals to reach their full potential. To learn more, visit http://www.bretonabilitycentre.ca/.



Cape Breton Connections: Networking 101 is brought to you by the Cape Breton University Students Union, the Cape Breton University Alumni Association, the Cape Breton Partnership, and the Cape Breton Connector Program as part of CBU’s Adulting 101 Week.

This webinar introduces viewers to the Cape Breton Connector Program and how it can help you enhance your networking skills and expand your professional networks. Did you know that only 20% of jobs are ever advertised? This webinar can help you begin expanding your professional contacts so that you can access the 80% of jobs that aren’t advertised and connect with companies who need your talent in Cape Breton.

The slide deck for this presentation is available here.

Adulting 101 Week is for Cape Breton University students to gain skills that they can take with them in their future endeavours. This includes resume building, cooking class, connecting with students and alumni and learning how to network! CBU and CBUSU want to ensure that students gain the skills they will need in life beyond their studies at CBU.

For more information, email
Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator Robyn Lee Seale at connector@capebretonpartnership.com or visit https://capebretonpartnership.com/initiatives/connector/.