Nova Scotia's workforce might be short of skills in future: report 
Education

LINDSAY JONES
The Daily News

Poor math and literacy skills are leading Nova Scotia into an employment crisis, according to a report released yesterday.

The province needs a higher-skilled workforce to fill hundreds of jobs that are expected to open up by 2011, said Phyllis Collier of Nova Knowledge, a local economic think-tank, following a recent forum with employers, educators, labour groups and parents.

"As the workforce begins to shrink, with fewer children being born and the aging population retiring, companies that depend on productivity to produce and keep their revenues constant are not going to able to hire because (skilled workers) just aren't there," Collier said. "It's sobering."

Employers are concerned that young people entering the workforce don't have enough skills.

"They really weren't able to sit down and write a business letter," Collier said. "When you think about tasks required at the business level, that needs to get translated back into the education system."

Another example is Michelin's three tire-manufacturing plants. The forum heard the company needs to recruit 1,400 people by 2010. But because only one in 10 applicants is hired, that poses a challenge.

Half the applicants don't fill out the forms properly or leave blanks. And one quarter fail the Grade 9 level math and English component. All applicants are required to have a high- school diploma or the equivalent.

The problems occur before people ever apply for a job, though.

The most recent Grade 12 standardized tests show the average test score for English is 62 per cent. Math was atrocious with nearly three quarters of students failing the test, with an average of just 39 per cent.

"Education is directly linked to the economy," Collier said. "When you think about the big picture and Nova Scotia's prosperity, then investing in training and young people in high-quality education becomes pivotal in the continuing prosperity of the province."

In its report, Nova Knowledge said literacy rates need to improve and employers need to work more closely with post-secondary institutions to attract students. Companies also need to build relationships with elementary schools in their community and improve training for their staff. Improved access to training opportunities that respond to the labour market was another suggestion.

"The key thing is that every available Nova Scotian is working to their full potential to meet the pending skills crisis that's coming."

ljones@hfxnews.ca