CREDA Report

 

January 21, 2009

 

The Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association is hoping to partner with local companies and organizations to put together Cumberland Care Kits for local youth attending post-secondary institutions. The goal is for students from Cumberland County to receive a care package just in time for April exams to remind them that their community supports their efforts and to encourage them to seek employment options in the Cumberland region.

The Care Kits are an important component of an overall strategy that recognizes youth attraction and retention as essential to Cumberland County’s continued growth and economic development. The Care Kits are also an opportunity for companies or organizations to take advantage of an important promotional opportunity by providing coupons, product samples or other items bearing their logos, or to recruit students for summer or permanent positions. Items could include snacks, personal care items, stationary, and coupons for goods and services. Companies can also choose to provide financial sponsorships of $25, $50 and $100.

Items should be received by the CREDA office no later than March 6th to ensure kits are ready to be distributed in the first week of April. Post secondary students or their parents or loved ones can also contact CREDA Youth Attraction and Retention Coordinator Amanda Mcinnis with their contact information to ensure they are on the list to receive a Care Kit. She can be reached at 667-3638.

 

January 14, 2009

 

The Province of Nova Scotia has committed to extending high-speed Internet access to all Nova Scotians by the end of 2009. Seaside High-Speed has been contracted to provide broadband to Cumberland County. Currently, Seaside has 40 new sites near operational status in Cumberland and Victoria counties and has identified another 120 sites where it will be erecting poles early in 2009, to provide high-speed service in northeastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

All three Internet Service providers contracted by the Province are using fixed wireless technology to deliver high speed. In the last 12 months sites for fixed wireless structures and equipment have been identified and leased all over the province as part of the initiative. Service Providers are using existing towers, and building new structures to carry the fixed wireless network signal across the province. Tower upgrading and construction has been underway for a number of months now.

Planning for a High Speed Future is a community-based facilitated workshop that offers groups an opportunity to identify goals and priorities to help to make the most of broadband access in their communities. The workshops were developed using a collaborative design and review process. Contact broadband@gov.ns.ca if you have any queries about this project or would like to see a workshop held in your community.

 

January 7, 2009

 

CREDA reminds employers that an efficient, secure and user-friendly process for those wishing to participate in the Student Career Skills Development Program and the Cooperative Employment Program offered through Nova Scotia Economic Development is now available by completing the secure online application at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/sep/ .

The Student Career Skills Development Program partners with non-profit organizations that have career-related jobs for post-secondary students. The Cooperative Employment Program provides required work experience for eligible post-secondary co-operative students in not for profit, municipal and government-funded organizations.

The upcoming program deadline for the Student Career Skills Development Program is January 30, 2009. Employers are required to pay students at least $10 per hour plus 4% vacation pay. NS Economic Development is increasing their hourly reimbursement to $8.00 per hour from $6.50 per hour.

For the Cooperative Employment Program, employers are to pay students at least $12.00 per hour plus 4% vacation pay. NSED is increasing the hourly reimbursement for not-for-profit organizations to $8.00 per hour. Government funded hourly reimbursement remains at 50% of the wage to a maximum of $7.00 per hour.

 

If you have any questions or want further information regarding CREDA call 667-3638. CREDA is Quality System registered to ISO 9001:2000.