News Release

For immediate releases                                                September 11, 2000

SYDNEY, N.S. -- Detailed education and skills information on Cape Breton County's working age population is being compiled by the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (CBCEDA). The skills inventory will assist economic and business development in Industrial Cape Breton by providing a definitive and quantitative assessment of the labour force, and it is being conducted with assistance from the Government of Canada.

The data to be collected by a phone survey will help corporate site selectors and economic developers attract new employers and businesses to the area.

The total estimated cost of the project is $461,973. Human Resources Development Canada will contribute $261,973 through the Cape Breton Response Strategy and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will make a non-repayable contribution of $200,000 through the Business Development Program.

"This project establishes a database of information on Industrial Cape Breton's workforce that will be used to foster community economic development. The Government of Canada is pleased to facilitate this process in collaboration with the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority for the benefit of the community," said the Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia. Senator Boudreau announced the Government of Canada funding on behalf of the Honourable George Baker, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

"As a result of this project, we will have an excellent tool to use in our economic development efforts. Our ability to offer business and industry information about this region's excellent workforce is greatly enhanced. Support and cooperation from the Government of Canada is vital to our efforts on behalf of this region," said Eileen Lannon Oldford, Executive Director, CBCEDA.

CBCEDA, the regional development authority for Cape Breton County, carried out the first two phases of the Cape Breton County Skills Survey project with the assistance of Human Resources Development Canada.

The data collected in Phase One proved to be very useful and it was decided to take the research a step further. Phase Two provided a wider range of data to the basic demographic information on local labour market supply used by such organizations as call centre locator firms and economic development agencies. Data was obtained within seven strategic sectors which were identified as being key to development in industrial Cape Breton. These include call centres, culture, health/retirement care, information technology, knowledge intensive manufacturing, natural gas and tourism. Data collected included education and training, work experience, other occupational experience and specific work skills.

In Phase Three the survey is being administered to all adults residing in Cape Breton County, with the end result being a complete skills inventory of the working age population.

The Human Resources Development Canada funding for this project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's improved administration of its Grants and Contributions Programs.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

For Furhter Information Contact:

Marcie Stanley
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-7876
Fax:(902) 564-3825
E-mail: mstanley@ecbc.ca

Eileen Lannon Oldford
Executive Director
Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority
Tel: (902) 562-2201
Fax: (902) 562-2866

Alice Almond
Human Resources Development Canada
Tel: (902) 564-3467
Fax: (902) 564-3468