Q & A Valley, Nova Scotia

Conversation with Kyle Walsh and Jennifer Tufts

The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is a primarily rural area made up of a number of towns and villages on the western shore. The Connector Program is housed in the Regional Enterprise Network there, which is the catalyst for a thriving, sustainable and inclusive regional economy in the Annapolis Valley. With the Valley experiencing a boom in jobs, and a very low unemployment rate, we thought it was a great time to catch up with Connector Program coordinator Kyle Walsh, and Executive Director Jennifer Tufts to talk about how the Connector Program impacts the rural economy.

Interview by Alida Campbell.

Alida manages the National Connector Program and continues to be inspired by the stories of connection and growth that participants share across the country.

Alida:

The Valley REN does so much in your area – how does the Connector Program fit into what you do?

Kyle:

In some ways, we are the face of the organization because we are out there, in the community. We can connect new people in the community to other services in our organization, so they can benefit from our services and what we do. The Connector Program is a good way to get out there, to show that the REN is doing good in the community and making a difference.

Jennifer:

The Connector Program is super complimentary and aligned to our organization. We recently completed our regional workforce development strategy, and Connector plays an important part in it. We’ve done job fairs and business expos and Connector Program is always there with our BusinessNOW program. Connector connects newcomers and graduates to the local labour market and helps them create professional networks right in our region. Connector Program is a tool in our toolbox when we work with businesses in our region.

Alida:

It’s a program that is highly adaptable to whatever you need it to be! What about the role it plays in the larger community? How is it impacting the Valley as a whole?

Kyle:

In so many ways. Talent retention is a huge issue in the Valley, so we help people stay here. Helping people put down roots to make their lives here has a major impact on the community itself. Also, we can assist employers – not to be their HR department, but if we know what they are looking for, or what positions they are hiring for, we can help point people in that direction.

Jennifer:

For the community, our regional workforce development strategy identified that we will need to fill approximately 6,500 vacancies between now and 2029. Connector Program is going to have to be a tool to help with that. The people we will need to attract to fill those vacancies will not just come from immigration or interprovincial movement. It will also take post-secondary institutions and their engagement with their students to help them see that there are opportunities to fill here and stay within our region. The program feels different here due to our rural nature. Having someone in our community who can make these connections is so embedded in our ecosystem of supports for the community.

Alida:

Jennifer, why are programs like Connector important, especially for rural areas of the country?

Jennifer:

It’s really meaningful to the region. Professional networks and what they can do for people are underestimated, so that’s all the reason in the world. The ability that the program has to mold itself to what your organization needs is why it is so great. It’s important to Connectees because when you are new, trying to figure out what you’re doing, the power and importance of building your professional network is unmatched. We need to focus on this welcoming community. To retain people, we need to have them understand the labour market, and to know more people in the area and that’s where the Connector Program can help. For Connectors it’s super meaningful. They are guiding people, laying the groundwork, and providing a service while volunteering their time. The role of the Connectors and their benefit can be seen immediately when they meet with a Connectee and become a linkage to creating a local professional network for the Connectee.

Alida:

That’s so important, you are right. Thank you both so much for talking with me today and sharing how the Connector Program can make a positive difference in a rural area.