Students attending schools, universities, and community colleges, as well as families now have access to current and valuable information and resources that can help them explore careers and identify the required skills for entry into the labour force.  All these resources will help students plan and make sense of jobs and people who do those jobs which can be found in one location at www.careersatlanticcanada.ca, launched today by the Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training.

The Atlantic ministers of education and training are launching the website to guide students in schools and postsecondary education institutions that speaks to the importance of understanding labour market information, its purpose, how it can be used effectively to support their career planning and transition into the workforce, and the types of jobs that are available and the ones that may be available in the future.   Additionally, youth can use this labour market information to reflect on their interest, the skills they have and how it can be applied in the job market, identify important skills they may need to develop to pursue and achieve their personal goals.

The website contains four key sections – The Basics of Labour Market Information, Families, Secondary Education, and Post-Secondary Education. Each section consists of a general introduction and resources to support individuals across the Atlantic Provinces in their understanding of what it means to successfully enter the labour market. In addition to the general resources, links can be found in each section targeting resources specific to each of the four Atlantic Provinces.

Several learning experiences (exemplars) including suggestions for assessment were developed to support teachers, Grades 6-12, in engaging students in their learning about Labour Market Information. Emphasis was placed on a cross curricular approach in the use of these exemplars with students throughout the school year.

Resources and strategies have been developed and included in the Families section to promote and guide ongoing labour market information conversations at home or between youth and those who they connect with as their career influencers.

Included in the Post-Secondary section are resources that can assist students at any stage of the post-secondary experience in exploring career options. This includes a Frequently Asked Questions document developed in collaboration with post-secondary career advisors.

Atlantic ministers of education and training recognize that the wealth of information contained in this one location will:

• help youth understand and prepare for decisions about education, training and career choices as they are some of the most important decisions they will ever make;
• help youth understand skills and job requirements needed for entry into the workforce;
• prepare youth for the development of skills and competencies that can be applied and enhanced in the workplace;
• enable youth to explore and reflect on career options, information, and opportunities in Atlantic Canada.

The website can be used by families, career influencers, teachers, school counselors and administrators, postsecondary education institutions, government departments, communities, employment agencies, and individuals transitioning into the workforce.  Ministers believe that this information will reach a wide audience and has the potential of assisting Atlantic Canadians from all walks of life.

The website will also be used to showcase the 2021 Atlantic Canada career week to be held from November 1-5, 2021, in schools, universities and community colleges across the region.  Both the website and the 2021 Atlantic Canada Career Week build on efforts undertaken by ministers in each province in career development and student transition. The website also complements the provincial labour market information currently available on the provincial governments’ websites.

Ministers of education and training are also committed to providing resources and assistance to students in schools and postsecondary education institutions as they navigate through the pandemic and to ensure that Atlantic Canadians have access to all the necessary tools for effective career planning purposes and transitioning into the workforce.

CAMET is an agency of the departments responsible for public and post-secondary education, and its purpose is to enhance cooperation in public (Entry–12) and post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada by working together to improve learning, optimize efficiencies and bring added value to provincial initiatives.

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Media contacts
Marc Budgell
Education
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0048
MarcBudgell@gov.nl.ca

Jenna MacQueen
Education and Early Childhood Development
Government of Nova Scotia
902-233-6787
jenna.macqueen@novascotia.ca

Natalie Webster
Advanced Education
Government of Nova Scotia
902-497-7603
natalie.webster@novascotia.ca

Paul Bradley
Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
Government of New Brunswick
506-453-4090
paul.bradley@gnb.ca

Flavio Nienow
Education and Early Childhood Development
Government of New Brunswick
506-444-2179
flavio.nienow@gnb.ca

Autumn Tremere
Education and Lifelong Learning
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-368-6449
agtremere@gov.pe.ca