ANS LAB

Over the past 30 years, there has been no statistical change in the gap between the unemployment rates of African Nova Scotians and the provincial average. Despite multiple interventions and a wide range of educational and employment supports, African Nova Scotian (ANS) unemployment rates continue to be disproportionately higher than the provincial average. In early 2019, the Nova Scotia Government funded a Social Innovation Lab lead by One North End to develop innovative solutions to address this long-standing issue.
The project objectives include giving African Nova Scotian youth the tools, resources, and culturally appropriate supports they need to increase labor market competitiveness. This initiative will also give African Nova Scotian youth an entry point into the traditional job market as well as provide employers with a channel to hire African Nova Scotian youth, which currently does not exist. Employers will also participate in the workforce development for this community.
The project will help develop African Nova Scotian youth skills and provide them with the support they need to navigate existing employment services and the job market. Through continued outreach and engagement with employers, job opportunities for African Nova Scotian youth will be identified to ensure we are effectively addressing both sides of the issue; matching opportunities with ANS job seekers to enable successful transitions to sustained employment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Barbara-Ann Hamilton-Hinch

Student:

Partner:

One North End

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Education

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: