Chamber looks forward to working with MP-elect Casey on economic issues
Chamber looks forward to working with MP-elect Casey on economic issues
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce congratulates Cumberland-Colchester MP-elect Bill Casey and the Liberal team on winning a majority government.
The chamber looks forward to working with Casey to make this region, and Canada as a whole, more competitive.
"A majority government will provide an element of confidence and stability in the Canadian economy, further reflected by a strong valuation of the Canadian dollar," says chamber president Andrew Lake.
The Truro and Colchester chamber was active during the election campaign, along with the Canadian Chamber network representing 200,000 businesses.
Its election platform, A Canada That Wins, highlighted Access to a Powerful Workforce, Access to Markets, Access to Capital and Access to Technology and Innovation as key priorities for the next government to focus on to increase Canada’s competitiveness.
Many of the positions of the Liberal program align with the chamber priorities. The chamber believes the Liberal plan to invest in infrastructure, if done strategically, will be positive for the economy.
The chamber also looks forward to the creation of business programs to help employers create new placements for students, which will help provide the workforce needed to compete internationally, and other investments in job creation programs.
The Truro and Colchester chamber was pleased to host a debate prior to the election that offered an opportunity for five of the six local candidates to share their party platforms.
The local chamber represents more than 400 member businesses and has been the principal voice for business in the Colchester region for 125 years in matters of economic, social and political importance.
Chamber names small business award recipients
Outstanding local businesses to be
honoured with 2015 Small Business Awards
Oct 16, 2015
TRURO - The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s Small Business Week award recipients.
"A number of quality nominations were received in each of the five award categories. It is a true testament to the strength of small business and the entrepreneurial spirit that's alive in the region,” said chamber president Andrew Lake.
The award recipients of 2015 are: New Small Business of the Year, NovelTea Bookstore Café, Truro; Small Business Achievement, Forbes Bros. Furniture of Denmark; Business Innovator of the Year, Enchanted Forest, Truro; Exporter of the Year, Woodmaster Tools of Canada, Clifton; and, a new category this year, Excellence in Community Development, 100 Women Who Care Truro. The five awards are sponsored by WBLI Chartered Accountants, PWC, RBC, Nova Scotia Business Inc. and Town of Truro, respectively.
Recipients will be honoured at this year’s Small Business Week annual luncheon, Oct. 21, 12 p.m., at the Holiday Inn and Conference Centre. All nominees will receive recognition for their contributions to the local economy during the luncheon. Guest speaker is Laurel Broten, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc., the business-development agency for the province of Nova Scotia.
To reserve seats at the luncheon, contact the chamber of commerce office by calling 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Tickets cost $25 for chamber members and $35 for future members (tax inc.). Watch the chamber website and Facebook page for a schedule of chamber-hosted events and details on other Small Business Week events in the area.
Regional Organization Headed to South Carolina to Showcase Employability Skills Assessment Tool
Regional Organization Headed to South Carolina to Showcase Employability Skills Assessment Tool
It is the refrain of almost every business owner/employer in Nova Scotia, Canada and beyond: I can teach my employees to work a cash register, mop a floor, make a bed, work a grill, etc., but there are also soft skills that I can’t necessarily teach them. Often, for many reasons, soft skills such as motivation, accountability, patience and congeniality toward co-workers and customers can take time to develop. Employers naturally seek staff that take pride in their work, have the know-how to handle high-pressure situations, are punctual and will ensure that tasks are completed. However, for some, these are barriers to employment.
While these may seem like straight forward aspects of employment to incorporate into employee training, the fact of the matter is they are not. Helping people attain these skills is an incredibly complex task. With that said, Futureworx is not only teaching these soft skills to clients, we’ve been doing it for years with an incomparable success rate.
Since 1984, Futureworx, based in Truro, has been taking in clients that have multiple employment barriers and preparing them for the workplace. The technical aspects of the preparation vary from program to program. We cover and have covered everything from cleaning and environmental services, front-line health care, hotel work, light carpentry and others. What remains the constant with each program are the soft skills; attitude, motivation, presentation, teamwork, time management, adaptability, stress management, accountability and confidence. These soft skills may look different from workplace to workplace. For example, a person responsible for cleaning a hotel likely isn’t going to dress the same as someone working in an office setting. However, there are still certain expectations in place and, at the end of the day, the employee should take pride in their appearance, regardless of specific dress codes. It was with this in mind that Futureworx wanted to ensure that all clients were receiving the same training in these areas regardless of the location and the instructor. Out of this came the concept for the Employability Skills Assessment Tool, or ESAT.
Development of ESAT started in 2010 as an internal tool for Futureworx instructors to document a client’s soft skill levels and to clearly track and show growth and/or retraction in these levels. The idea behind the tool is that you can’t expect a person to have these soft skills if they have never needed to use them in their past or present work environments or were never told that they were lacking in these areas. Through a series of self-assessments and assessments by others (e.g.: instructors, counsellors, case workers) based on observations over a period of time, clients can clearly see their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the aforementioned soft skills. Easy to follow results and graphics promote meaningful conversations that lead to overall improvements. Since its development as an internal tool, we’ve branched out and ESAT is now being used by organizations throughout Nova Scotia and Canada. Kate Apestiguy is with Youth Live, a work experience program for 16 to 24 year olds with barriers to employment in Halifax.
“ESAT depersonalizes the process and looks at what the issue is. And these issues are really things that aren’t that difficult to overcome, it just needs to be brought to their attention. Once clients are provided with the coaching, support and follow up, we’ve had good success!”
John Hartling is the General Manager with Stone Hearth Bakery, a social enterprise operating in Halifax. As many as 50 people are employed at the bakery at any given time. He calls ESAT ‘a very valuable resource.’
“Part of the confusion that some of our clients have faced in the past is understanding exactly why people won’t employ them or why they’re getting laid off or their hours are being cut. I find ESAT has been an incredibly useful tool to articulate what your attitude really means. If someone says you have a bad attitude, it’s really hard for people to define that and understand what it is they have to change. ESAT helps them figure that out. There’s no doubt in my mind that the return on investment will be well in excess of the cost of integrating ESAT.”
Colleen Penner is the Director of Programming with Opportunities for Employment in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The organization recently completed an update report on the integration of ESAT into one of their projects. The results are right in line with our assertions about the program.
“The use of the ESAT in OFE’s Employment Mentorship Program continues to highlight the effectiveness of the employment preparation curriculum and provide an effective coaching tool for facilitating behavioural change over time,” said Penner. ESAT has enabled our facilitators and Employment Coach to strategically target those employability skills which will be most problematic as the participant enters the work force, which will result in longer job retention for participants and less turnover costs for employers. One of the most intriguing outcomes of ESAT is the degree to which we may be able to predict the chances of success for individuals when it comes to obtaining and keeping a job. As OFE continues to evolve its programing to better serve individuals and employers, it will be very exciting to imagine how ESAT will enhance our services and prepare individuals for success in the workplace.”
Employers are definitely noticing the difference ESAT makes. Ric McKinstry, with Shannex, says Futureworx students are given the tools needed to succeed before ever hitting the workplace.
“It’s very easy to see the Futureworx students in a room full of people. It’s very easy to pick them out. They come to us with that good foundation and the things Shannex needs. It’s a great advantage to this industry.”
Because of the success of ESAT, Futureworx was recently chosen to present at the 2015 ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Literacy in Charleston, South Carolina. This marks the first international presentation for the organization, but we’re certain it will not be the last. South Carolina has been hit hard with record level devastation in recent days. We would be remiss not to acknowledge what this region is dealing with at the moment and we at Futureworx recognize that it will be sometime before this area resumes life as they knew it before the storm. We wish them all the best as the rebuilding gets underway in earnest. The people of South Carolina and other areas impacted are in our hearts and minds as we prepare to travel there. We’re also in contact with interested operations in places as far away as Australia.
The implementation possibilities for ESAT are endless. It is cloud-based, can be accessed anywhere there’s an internet connection and the subject matter and skill set can be changed to fit any employer or organization. We’ve often heard employers ask why soft skills aren’t being taught in high school, college and university and we couldn’t agree more! ESAT, with very minor adjustments, could easily be implemented into any curriculum, letting students know what is expected of them once they enter the workplace. Imagine the frustration that could be alleviated by having students that are aware of that. It’s a win-win, created by a small Nova Scotia non-profit that sees the potential in everyone, regardless of their situation.
This Op-Ed piece has been created by Futureworx under the direction of Executive Director Randy Lindsay. Mr. Lindsay has worked in the field of employability skills and support since 1988, helping countless individuals and organizations throughout those years.
The 2015 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is coming to Truro
The 2015 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is coming to Truro, and it is bringing a pedigree of excellence with it.
Make no mistake, this is a world-class event. The top 15 men’s and women’s teams on the World Curling Tour’s order of merit will converge on the Hub of Nova Scotia from October 27th to November 1st. From Olympic gold medalists to world champions, the absolute pinnacle of the sport will be on display for six days at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. Rarely are Nova Scotian’s treated to such displays in-person; elite athletes at the peak of their game, engaged in the highest level of competition available. The event itself will be a spectacle, to be sure. Superstars Brad Gushue, Jennifer Jones, Mike McEwan and Brad Jacobs (among others) will be ready. But what can we do to be ready for them?
This event presents opportunities for all of us, as a community. There is the obvious opportunity to catch a glimpse of athletic superstars at work, but the greater opportunity lies in the potential to showcase Truro to the athletes, and the world.
Let’s show our guests how excited we are to have them here. The Rath Eastlink Community Centre will be providing Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters 2015 window decals in the weeks leading up to the event. Let’s get these decals up in our businesses, car windows, and anywhere else people will see them! Sportsnet will have their cameras out and about in Truro and Colchester County during the event showcasing how the community is promoting and supporting the event. Let’s showcase our community, spirit and ourselves! Let’s welcome these champions with open arms, embracing them and the opportunities they bring us!
Additional things you may wish to consider:
- Welcome the curlers and Sportsnet by promoting the event on your display signage;
- Dress up your retail frontage – with curling inspired themes, Canadian or International flags, etc.
- Offer curling inspired promotions
The eyes of the curling world will be fixed on Truro come October 27th. The elite athletes will do their part, rest assured. Let’s help them open wide the eyes of everyone watching, with our spectacular facility, wonderful town, beautiful province, and remarkable people.
Small Business Week awards and criteria
Small Business Week Awards and Criteria
During BDC Small Business Week, The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce will award five outstanding businesses.
Award nominations are currently being accepted in the following categories:
New Small Business of the Year, sponsored by WBLI Chartered Accountants
Criteria: The New Small Business of the Year award recognizes a Truro or Colchester County business person whose dream of opening their own business has earned them the title of “Start-Up Entrepreneur” over the past year. Their business must have shown innovation and they must be offering a product or service that’s unique to Truro and Colchester County.
Small Business Achievement, sponsored by PWC
Criteria: The Small Business Achievement Award recognizes a local entrepreneur who has been in business more than 10 years and demonstrates new product or service achievements, business growth and a commitment to their community.
Export Achievement, sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Criteria: The Exporter of the year award will recognize a Truro or Colchester County business that has demonstrated excellence in exporting outside of Nova Scotia, has achieved noticeable growth as a result of entering the global marketplace, and has made a significant contribution to the growth to the local economy.
Small Business Innovation, sponsored by RBC
Criteria: The Small Business Innovation Award will recognize a Truro or Colchester County entrepreneur who has been in business for more than five years, who is continually modifying to demonstrate innovative leadership through the use of technology, development of new or value-added products and services and improved productivity. Those nominated for this innovation award portray community spirit and generosity towards clients past, present and future by consistently supporting community causes and grow employment in the local area.
Excellence in Community Development award sponsored by the Town of Truro.
Criteria: The Excellence in Community Development award will recognize a business, community organization or social enterprise that has made significant and notable contributions to their community (cultural, social, environmental and/or economic) and that serves as a catalyst for positive action, exhibiting the highest standards of leadership.
How to submit a nomination:
Nomination forms are available from the chamber office at 605 Prince St. (Marigold Cultural Centre), Truro; online at www.trurocolchesterchamber.com and the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Print the form, fill it in, scan/email it using [email protected] or drop it off at the chamber office in a sealed envelope. Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 9,15.
When will the awards be presented?
The award luncheon will be held at the Holiday Inn on Wednesday, Oct. 21, beginning at noon.
Laurel Broten, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc., the business development agency for the province of Nova Scotia, will be the special guest speaker at this year’s awards luncheon.
Reserve your seat in advance by calling the chamber office, 902-895-6328,
Cost $25 for chamber members and $35 for future members (tax inc.).