Connector Program

Who we are

• Catalyst for economic growth in Greater Halifax

• Direct partnering with business and government

• 150+ private and public sector investorsLocal, regional, national and international

• All 3 levels of governmentMunicipal, provincial and federal

Why?

Economic Data• Population Trends• 64,000 job openings before 2013

SmartBusiness – Business Retention & Expansion Program

• Over 1800 face-to-face consultations with Halifax business leaders

• 98% reported they would hire immigrants• 17% hired immigrants

What’s Needed

• Raise Awareness• Information Sharing/Employer Support• Better Networks for Newcomers• ALLIES Project: Immigrationworksinhalifax.ca

Generated over 10 million media impressions

Employer Support Program

• Educate Employers on the immigration process100 Face-to-Face Consultations with

Employers• Target industry Sectors

>300 Invited• Local Career Fairs

Opportunity for International StudentsInternational Job Fairs

Increasing Networks

• Halifax Connector Program• Social and Professional Networks • Using Traditional Channels to Network

Who are Connectors?

“Connectors are people in a community who know large numbers of people and who are in the habit of making introductions. A connector is essentially the social equivalent of a computer network hub. Connectors usually know people across an array of social, cultural, professional, and economic circles, and make a habit of introducing people who work or live in different circles”

-The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Follow up

Follow up

Follow up

Follow up

Halifax Connector Program

Best practice for business education and talent recruitment

• Deloitte Halifax has adopted the program as part of their workplace diversity programs

• Program has been duplicated in other cities across Canada

• Expanding to include International Students

Where are we today? (September 2010)

• Over 140 Connectors• Over 220 Connections• 33 Employed• Moving to Sustainability

Connector Companies…• ADP • Accounting Solutions• AirFire • Arrow Electronics Inc. • Atlantic Overseas Recruiting• Blue Ocean Contact Centers • Borderless Solutions• Clearwater • Convergys • College of Registered Nurses of NS• Dexter Construction • Deloitte• Eastlink • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2)• La Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse • Focal Technologies Corp • Gem Health Care Group (2)• Halifax Refugee Clinic• HB Studios • HRM Community Development (2)• HRM Diversity • HRM Executive Management Team• HRM Councillors (3)• Holiday Inn Select • I.M.P. Aerospace

• Irving Shipbuilding• Labour and Workforce Development• Lydon Lynch Architecture• Mitchelmore Engineering • MSVU Centre for Women in Business•Nautel Ltd. •Nicom IT Solutions Inc.•Nova Scotia Office of Immigration•Norex.ca•NSCC•Pacrim Hospitality •RBC Financial Group •Research In Motion•Salvation Army •Service Canada •SNC-Lavalin Inc. •Sun Life Financial •Team Space •Techlink Entertainment •Transcontinental Inc. (2)•Terrain Group•Trecan Solutions Inc.•Queen Street Studios •YMCA

How it Works

• Receive resumes from Partners• Match based on industry experience and

qualifications• Formal email of introduction to both parties• Follow-up