Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Funding announced for InspireNB

Nov. 7, 2016

MONCTON (GNB) – The provincial government is providing $345,000 to Venn Innovation for the provincewide implementation of InspireNB, a career exploration and planning resource for young people designed to raise awareness of available employment opportunities.

“Our government knows how important creating jobs and growing the economy are to New Brunswickers,” said Treasury Board President Roger Melanson. “InspireNB will help match young people with jobs so they can contribute to our economy and thrive here in our province.”

Melanson made the announcement on behalf of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault.

InspireNB is a program to help employers connect with their future workforce. With more than 80 participating companies, it helps raise awareness of opportunities and employers, creating a better engaged workforce for the province.

“Talent is the number one challenge for New Brunswick companies, and not just those in the tech sector,” said Doug Robertson, president and CEO of Venn Innovation. “Too many of our young career seekers are hearing that they have to look beyond New Brunswick for opportunities, while positions in New Brunswick companies go unfilled. InspireNB provides students with a practical resource to connect with companies, understand the opportunities that exist, and understand how best to prepare for them.”

As part of the launch, InspireNB will host a CareerTalks event in Moncton this evening to engage professionals and employers with students through conversations about career planning.

CareerTalks offers students first-hand information from career professionals working in their communities. It will focus on the journey from high school to the workplace, exploring the options available to students. CareerTalks will highlight prominent community members and their career paths, but its focus is on sharing experiences and insights with students in Grades 9 through 12 as they begin to make career decisions.

InspireNB began as a pilot program in 2014. Over the next three years, Venn Innovation, along with the departments of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and Education and Early Childhood Development, will implement the program across the province.

07-11-16

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Tyler Campbell, communications, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, 506-470-2549.

Jessica Kennedy, program manager, InspireNB, 506-875-4107.