Start with a global economy changing from goods to knowledge with highly mobile jobs.  Factor in more baby boomers retiring than younger workers arriving to fill their places. Add a next generation mind-set of ‘live first, work second’ and you have a perfect storm brewing in the labour market in Halifax and around the world.

Through SmartBusiness, we recognized the impending labour shortage was not well understood so we built a talent strategy for HRM that builds awareness for, and education about, the shortage despite the recession. In addition, we’re helping employers understand the huge gaps in talent availability and the need to address their human resources attraction and retention practices.

Our aim is to make Greater Halifax the global city of choice for workers – for those who live here and those who would like to.

• In Nova Scotia there will be over 63,000 job openings through retirement and the creation of new jobs over the next 5 years.
• Our employment growth in Greater Halifax has outpaced our population growth. Virtually every area in and around Greater Halifax is growing.
• In response to the pending labour shortage, we created the Greater Halifax Talent Strategy.
  
  

One of the key pillars of the Greater Halifax Talent Strategy is the attraction and retention of immigrants.  We are working to encourage the hiring of immigrants and find ways to deliver awareness and engagement initiatives that reach out to business in Greater Halifax. 

Immigration is crucial to the future growth and development of Greater Halifax and Nova Scotia. Immigration has been identified as a priority under the Halifax Region Economic Strategy, the plan unanimously endorsed by HRM Council in 2005 that outlines the path of future economic development work in Greater Halifax.

Leadership Council
The Greater Halifax Partnership co-chairs the Halifax Immigration Leadership Council with the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association, which is made up of leaders in immigration. The Leadership Council was formed as a result of a recommendation in the Halifax Region Immigration Strategy, and moves the Strategy forward with action items relating to the attraction, retention and integration of immigrants.

The individuals that were brought together to form the Leadership Council are a unique group that serve as a diverse voice to enhance the existing immigration-related infrastructure. The group consists of private, non-profit and government representatives.

Welcoming Communities
The Partnership’s “Welcoming Communities” committee hosts an annual International Potluck and BBQ. This is a wonderful opportunity for newcomers and residents of Greater Halifax to come together, to meet community leaders, share stories, food and experiences from around the world.

For more information about the work the Partnership is doing in immigration, please contact Robyn Webb at greaterhalifax.com.