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/.

Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership will host a virtual update on September 30 with Develop Nova Scotia sharing the latest details on the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative and the upcoming internet improvement across the Island.

“Reliable access to broadband internet has been recognized time and again as one of the most important factors for our Island’s business community to remain competitive in the increasingly digital-dependent landscape,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “We are happy to be hosting Develop Nova Scotia for our second virtual update on the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, and to connect the Island’s businesses and communities with the information they need to know on the initiative and future local internet improvements.”

Following the presentation, Develop Nova Scotia staff will be available for a question and answer period following the presentation, which is open to the public to attend for free, though pre-registration is required.

Details for the Update on Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative in Cape Breton are below:

The session will be capped at 100 participants, however, the webinar will be recorded and available on the Cape Breton Partnership website.                                                                                           

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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 Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative:
Develop Nova Scotia is the Crown Corporation responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to provide high-speed Internet access to unserved and underserved Nova Scotians. The Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative strategy will see high-speed Internet access available to more than 95% of Nova Scotia homes and businesses. The Nova Scotia Internet Trust Fund is arms-length. Develop Nova Scotia manages the procurement process and evaluates all proposals received. Successful proponents are then recommended for funding by them to the Trust. The Trust decides on approval of funding. Where possible, funding is leveraged from other government and private sector partners to maximize investments.  Visit https://developns.ca/projects/high-speed-internet/

Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership’s Connector Program is hosting two upcoming virtual training series, each aiming to help individuals enhance their networking skills and expand their professional networks. Both virtual series are free of charge for participants.

Make Your Connection: A Networking Event for Future Leaders is an eight-week program for recent graduates, newcomers and students approaching graduation to meet local professionals and build their network in Cape Breton. Participants will receive four weeks of communications training alternating with four weeks of online networking events from September 24 to November 12. These events will give participants the opportunity to practice their skills and to connect virtually with groups and leaders from across the Island.

Cultural Connector: Highlighting Cape Breton Cultures and Communities is an eight-week program for newcomers, students and anyone from the community who wants to learn more about the diverse cultures and communities across Cape Breton Island. The Cultural Connector series will be held weekly on Tuesdays from September 29 to November 17, highlighting Mi’kmaq, Acadian, African Nova-Scotian and Gaelic cultures. Topics will include history, storytelling and cooking classes for traditional foods, focused on cultivating meaningful connections and creating a sense of community that spreads across the Island.

“We are very happy to be connecting our communities across Cape Breton Island with these interactive learning opportunities this fall,” says Robyn Lee Seale, Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator with the Cape Breton Partnership. “Though the current global pandemic has presented challenges to in-person networking and learning, this virtual format allows us to interact with a number of participants that would have otherwise been unable to participate. We’re very excited to be able to play a part in keeping our communities connected.”

Visit http://bit.ly/cbConnector-Fall2020-Training to register for either or both of these free training opportunities.

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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/.

Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is once again partnering with the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia to support Cape Breton’s dynamic tourism industry. Through the Tourism Seasonality and Labour project, Cape Breton tourism operators can receive valuable training opportunities and human resources tools to help expand the skills of their workforce, create long-term employment and continuously improve the tourism products delivered by passionate tourism professionals each day on Cape Breton Island.

Hundreds of training modules, courses, and certificates are available. Training opportunities range from one to two-hour learning modules to e-Cornell executive program courses and group training in online or in-person venues. Topics include food & beverage, customer service, bartending, supervisory skills, and more. Most of the training opportunities are being made available free of charge through this project, and others will have their costs significantly reduced.

“We are excited to be partnering with TIANS in bringing these resources and supports directly to our tourism businesses in Cape Breton,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO for the Cape Breton Partnership. “These resources will offer many employees a unique opportunity to expand their skillsets, increasing their employability and the value of services offered by the businesses as well.”

In recognition of the challenges presented by COVID-19, and the particular difficulties the local tourism-sector has been experiencing, the project will also include specialized training such as Clean It Right. Provided by TIANS, the Clean It Right program was designed to provide awareness and education on cleaning a business, increasing the safety of guests, visitors and the workforce in the Tourism industry. This specialized training will help reassure customers that may be hesitant to travel, shop and eat out. Two digital Human Resources toolkits will also be made available free of charge to project participants, including a Tourism HR Recovery Toolkit and a more general HR Toolkit.

For a full list of the project’s offerings, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com/initiatives/tourism-seasonality-and-labour-project-2020/. One-on-one consultation meetings with your local Economic Development Officer can also be requested by emailing info@capebretonpartnership.com.

The Tourism Seasonality and Labour Project is being delivered locally by the Cape Breton Partnership in collaboration with Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) and Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council (NSTHRC), with support from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour & Advanced Education (LAE).

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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.