The Invest in Cape Breton podcast has launched! This series was developed by the Cape Breton Partnership to challenge assumptions about the island’s economy through in-depth interviews with local changemakers. These conversations go beyond the headlines to reveal the island’s untapped potential for investors and entrepreneurs, and offer a preview of the island’s coming transformation.
In the inaugural episode, we explore the island’s innovation ecosystem with the help of three leaders in the med tech, clean tech and IT sectors who prove that innovation is thriving here.
Listen now, or read on for a few highlights.
Yes, You Can Build a Successful Innovation Business in a Rural Community
Halifax Biomedical, a medical diagnostics business that provides advanced measurements to researchers and physicians, was once located in Halifax. Fifteen years ago, the company’s CEO Chad Munro moved it to Mabou—population 1,200.
Chad made the decision because he wanted to live in a beautiful waterfront community and had faith that talented employees would want that as well. He was right, telling us that he’s had no problems attracting talent from the local pool and around the world.
With improvements in remote work technologies (like expanded high speed internet access, decreased server costs, cloud computing, Zoom, etc) the barriers have been greatly reduced. As he puts it: “You can do anything from anywhere. You just have to be the best in the world at it.”
Cape Breton Companies Are Attracting Investment Like Never Before
Darren Gallop is a Sydney-based serial entrepreneur who cut his teeth in the music industry before moving into cybersecurity with his current company, Carbide. Since he didn’t have as many connections in that industry, and was determined to fast-track its growth, he sought out accelerator programs in Toronto and Boston.
Those programs were invaluable for Darren, but they didn’t tempt him to move Carbide out of Unama’ki-Cape Breton. Big innovation ecosystems like Boston and Silicon Valley offer limitless opportunities for scale-up, but he knows he can build a multi-million dollar remote company with dozens of employees right here where his family and friends are.
He can find the investors he needs from here too. In the last number of years, government and private investors like Invest Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Capital Group have popped up, and since the pandemic, global venture capitalists are writing checks to people they haven’t met in person. Darren says, “There’s never been more opportunity for attracting money and investment in your company in Cape Breton.”
A Unique Facility is Helping Ag and Industrial Biotech Companies Scale Up
Emerging companies with big ideas that could reduce GHG emissions and create a circular economy often hit a roadblock: it’s hugely expensive to take the concept from idea to reality. Enter the Verschuren Center for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment, a facility with large-scale shared assets (like a bioreactor) for testing, and funding opportunities that don’t require giving up intellectual property.
It’s a winning combination that has attracted promising companies from across North America. Beth Mason, the Verschuren Centre’s CEO, thought most of the companies would leave Unama’ki-Cape Breton after getting what they needed, but many are staying. She attributes that to the supportive local innovation ecosystem as well as the co-location of natural resources conducive to clean tech, like offshore wind, wave energy, and seawater.
Subscribe to the Invest in Cape Breton podcast
In Episode 2, we explore Sydney Harbour’s port infrastructure with the experts who can tell you about the assets available today and the transformative developments that are coming down the pipeline.
Episodes will be released every two weeks. To make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe or follow now on your favourite podcast platform.
Originally posted to the Building Tomorrow Campaign Website: https://building-tomorrow.ca/2023/09/15/building-dreams-in-the-construction-trades/
Do you remember strolling through your high school hallways, envisioning what you’ll be when you grow up? Maybe you pictured yourself as a gentle-handed nurse with a caring nature, or a meteorologist researching intriguing weather patterns. Some may have dreamed of becoming an aesthetician working to enhance both inner and outer beauty, while others thought of becoming a historian surrounded by museum walls that tell ancient stories.
For Cole Walker, a grade 11 student at Breton Education Centre (BEC), he’s not yet sure of the exact path he’ll follow, but there is one thing he knows for certain; his future looks very similar to his Papa’s thanks to an inspiring six months of learning in a skilled trades class, taught by one passionate teacher and a community of tradespeople.
“I watched my Papa renovate the home I live in now, and though I asked him a lot of questions like, how he does what he’s doing; why he chose to do something a certain way; how he became interested in the trades; I never knew how interested I would be until I sat down to learn in this class,” shares Cole. “Watching him do his thing was interesting, that’s why I took the skilled trades class to see what it was all about. I quickly noticed that I was good at what we were being taught, so I’ll be working in the trades after I graduate.”
James “Jamie” MacIntosh, Red Seal Carpenter and former owner of James MacIntosh Construction, is the skilled trades teacher responsible for inspiring Cole, and countless other students, to pursue the trades.
“It’s really up to the students. They share their ideas and we run with them,” Jamie shared. “The class has broad objectives. For example, students need to learn to solder a pipe which includes measuring, cutting, soldering, and testing. Rather than telling them they have to build a square, we can instead make a marshmallow shooter.” This just so happens to meet the criteria for this section of the course, allowing students to have fun, learn a new skill, and feel excitement over what they’re building.
As the semester moved forward, Cole and his classmates were given the unique opportunity to learn first-hand from trades professionals working for contractors’ onsite, courtesy of PCL Construction, who were awarded the construction management contract to build the new state-of-the-art Breton Education Centre scheduled to open fall 2024. The erection of the new school is just one project within the New Waterford Community Hub model, which also includes a health centre and long-term care home, the community wellness centre, and recreational facilities.
“We just introduced masonry this year. We were sent down piles of supplies and I was sent for training,” Jamie shared. “On the day I planned to introduce it to students, I realized I forgot the mortar mix.”
Disappointed that the lesson would have to be taught another day, Jamie recalled the bricklayers who were working diligently on the new BEC school early that morning.
“As a class, we went to the fence where BEC is being built, and I just hollered over. I said, ‘what mix are you guys running?’ And a bricklayer replied, ‘hold on, I’ll be over within 20 minutes.’” Sure enough, within 20 minutes, four members of Local 1 Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers with Reddick Brothers Masonry Contracting were over mixing up a batch of mortar and giving the students and Jamie a demonstration about bricklaying.
Before the demonstration ended, Jamie shared an idea suggesting a small project for the class involving laying a single brick. Not much time had passed before Jamie received a call from Chuck MacKinnon, Senior Superintendent with PCL Construction, who Jamie met previously on a walkthrough of the new building, with an even better proposal.
“Chuck suggested that everyone come over, sign their names on bricks, and assemble them in what will be the new skilled trades class. This project would result in a plaque commemorating the experience,” Jamie explained. “It’s incredible how the students in the skill trades program became part of the new school’s legacy. It’s all thanks to this community partnership.”
From that day onward, the relationship between the skilled trades class and PCL Construction strengthened. Members of the crew often visited the class, giving demonstrations and further inspiring passion for the trades.
Jeff Preeper, Business Manager for Local 1 Bricklayers commented, “I’m so proud of our members and their ability to share their craft with youth. There are opportunities for students to learn from trades professionals and have a career in this trade.” Bricklaying is considered the first construction trade dating back over 6,000 years ago, and Local 1, representing unionized bricklayers across Nova Scotia, has been training trades professionals since 1888.
Another Opportunity to Learn
Sarah Chisholm, third year carpentry apprentice Local 1588 and Chair of Sisters in the Brotherhood for the local chapter, is another well-known face within Jamie’s classroom.
“In the world of trades, there’s a wide range of new equipment and tools available,” Sarah began. “When I was in school, we were introduced to the tools used today in the skilled trades program; a more traditional approach that followed the old-school methods. As a result, I didn’t have the chance to use these newer tools until I entered the workforce and began using them more regularly.”
One day, Sarah and her colleagues Jody and Scott visited the skilled trades class where they conducted a brief demonstration of a steel stud frame installation. “We brought along all our lasers, guns for fastening the track, steel, concrete, and various types of pins, each with different sizes.”
During the demonstration, Sarah and her colleagues shared their industry knowledge teaching students how to install a steel stud frame which proved valuable as students are usually only introduced to wood framing within the program.
“PCL kindly sent over gloves and left behind all of their supplies, enabling Cole and the class to disassemble and then reassemble the wall,” Jamie added. “Their generosity went beyond just the demonstration; they provided all the necessary items for the students to engage in practical exercises.”
Thanks to the dedicated tradespeople working hard to build the New Waterford Community Hub, the high school students enrolled in the skilled trades program gained exposure to a modern way of building, thus propelling them forward as aspiring tradespeople.
Students Learn More than Program Objectives
Jamie shared that the skilled trades program, and the other trade-focused programs at BEC which include construction trades and transportation, are not just about creating the next successful grouping of tradespeople. “Consider that everyone will eventually own a house and a vehicle. This leaves you with a choice: handle repairs yourself, blindly accept a quoted price, or evaluate a quote with informed judgment. Moreover, we cultivate informed consumers.”
For Cole, the time PCL gave to his class gave him a clearer sense of what he’ll pursue in life. “Watching the workers do bricklaying, drilling, and electrical work inspires me to think about my future and what I’ll do post-graduation. I can see myself in a few different roles and this class showed me my options.”
The skilled trades program has not only highlighted potential career paths but also ignited a sense of purpose and possibility, proving that within these walls, dreams are not just envisioned but tangibly constructed, brick by brick, lesson by lesson, towards a future filled with potential.
To learn more about the new Breton Education Centre and the New Waterford Community Hub project, visit our website at https://building-tomorrow.ca/projects/new-waterford-community-hub/
(Originally published by Apex East Coast Business Magazine)
The population of Cape Breton Island grew by about 1,200 people between 2021-2022. This was a significant change for a region that has been losing its talent to the rest of Canada and the world for more than four decades. New growth after years of decline is a new and welcome reality happening in many places in Canada, and it requires new approaches to attracting and retaining workers.
As part of Nova Scotia’s Population Growth Strategy, Nova Scotia aims to double its population to two million by 2060. The province plans to achieve this by attracting 25,000 newcomers per year, through a combination of immigration and inter-provincial migration. For Unama’ki – CapeBreton, this means we must double our population to 260,000 by 2060, and we must welcome at least 2,000 people
annually.
But what does this mean for business owners and employers?
Many business owners throughout Nova Scotia continue to struggle to find skilled workers to fill the increasing number of job vacancies that seem to be growing as fast as the population. Ironically, it seems more difficult to attract and retain talent during population growth, than it was during the years of decline. This challenge has prompted new programs, services, and industry best-practices, including the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) program, Immigration Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Outreach Officers that can help employers navigate Canada’s immigration system, and companies adapting their human resource functions to improve job postings, descriptions and communication between employers and employees. These solutions, and others like them, are opportunities you should take advantage of.
The GTO program offered by the Government of Nova Scotia is one way to address labour shortages by hiring new graduates, and it comes with a salary incentive: 25 per cent of the first year’s salary and 12.4 per cent of the second year’s salary.
The Government of Canada has local outreach officers that can help employers attract, hire, and retain qualified workers from abroad to fill labour needs. By starting with a discussion with these officers, you can quickly determine if programs are available for your industry, location, or company’s growth stage.
Human resource capacity continues to be a challenge, as businesses who traditionally leveraged personal networks now have to create compelling job descriptions and consider their advertising strategy. In Sydney, some employers are finding success by using recruitment services like Anchored Recruiting, and others are utilizing tools available on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank or local online supports like the Cape Breton Job Board. Still others are looking to hire (or train) human resources staff in-house, often starting by reaching out to the Nova Scotia chapter of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. Look for these or similar supports in your area.
This also means we must adopt new ways to make sure they are welcomed in our workplaces, social groups and connected to the community in meaningful and lasting ways are critical for our long-term success. Innovation in attracting, retaining, and benefiting from new employees is also critical for success as we grow our population and communities.
By using tools and opportunities available now, you can attract and retain workers during times of population growth.
Tyler Mattheis is the President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership, Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization and the administrator of Cape Breton’s Regional Enterprise Networks.
Please note, this webinar was held on July 13, 2023, and so presentations and information are only accurate up to that date. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, reaching out to one of these organizations is always recommended.
Join the Cape Breton Partnership, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration and Nova Scotia Works to learn how immigration helps employers meet labour needs.
Learn about navigating the Canadian immigration system, and how to support your employees and newcomers to stay in Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
Representatives of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Immigration provide an overview of Federal immigration programs including: how to hire temporary foreign workers and the work permit process, hiring international students and how to retain them after they graduate, resources to help you find skilled workers faster and permanent residence pathways available to allow workers stay in Canada long-term.
Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration provide a summary of Provincial programming including the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
The presentation also includes international recruitment opportunities, retention strategies along with HR tools, training resources, and wage subsidy information provided by Nova Scotia Works.
Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership, in collaboration with Net Zero Atlantic, has launched an Offshore Wind Community Engagement Survey to gather insight from residents of Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
Offshore wind development has the potential to provide clean electricity, meaningful employment, and economic growth while helping to reduce the impacts of climate change. In the past year there has been unprecedented interest in the potential for offshore wind in Unama’ki – Cape Breton and across Nova Scotia, as the region has been recognized as having a world-class wind resource and as a potential hub for offshore wind development.
The Government of Nova Scotia has set a target to offer leases for 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030. As federal and provincial governments establish the regulatory framework for this anticipated new source of clean energy for Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Partnership and Net Zero Atlantic are seeking feedback from local communities, rights-holders, and stakeholders ahead of any future development.
“The Cape Breton Partnership wants the economic, cultural, social, and environmental values of Unama’ki – Cape Breton to be reflected in any future proposed development,” said Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “The community feedback we receive through this survey will help to inform future engagement strategies and encourage sustainable and equitable development that can provide positive growth in communities across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.”
“Net Zero Atlantic is co-creating and delivering community-tailored information to help Cape Breton communities prepare for a future that may include offshore wind,” said Sven Scholtysik, Research Manager, Net Zero Atlantic. “This survey will provide insights that will help us better serve the communities we are collaborating with through the Capacity Building for the Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Nova Scotia’s Offshore Wind Resource project launched in Port Hawkesbury earlier this year.”
The survey is open to all residents and business-owners of Unama’ki – Cape Breton. It focuses on past participation in engagement, future engagement needs, and other relevant factors in related to the impacts of future offshore wind development. The results of the survey will be used to inform future community engagement strategies that will reflect all voices in Unama’ki – Cape Breton in anticipation of future offshore wind development.
The survey is available online now until mid-summer at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CKVYXJ6 and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
-30-
Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell, Director of Communications
Cape Breton Partnership
902-562-0122
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, work, 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. Learn more at https://capebretonpartnership.com/.
About Net Zero Atlantic: Net Zero Atlantic seeks to advance the goal of a sustainable and inclusive transition to a carbon-neutral future in Atlantic Canada. We produce credible and objective data to inform sound policies and decisions related to critical topics currently including, but not limited to, hydrogen, offshore wind, geothermal energy, and energy system modeling. We carry out our work in collaboration with academia, governments, private sector, Indigenous Peoples and other non-government organizations. Learn more about Net Zero Atlantic at www.netzeroatlantic.ca.