Nova Scotia – demographics, literacy and the labour market

Jacques Pelletier

Director Labour Market Partnerships

February 2007

What is the Issue?

A Skills Shortage is…

• An inadequate number of workers

• An inadequate number of workers with the skills necessary to do the job

• An inadequate number of workers (qualified or otherwise) willing to work for wages and working conditions offered

There are two major systemic

issues that face Nova Scotia

today:

1)Demographics

2)Literacy

Where We Are Going: Base Case Population

From 2001 to 2026

• Nova Scotia’s total population will decrease by 4%.

• Seniors population will increase by 70.8%.

• Primary and secondary school age population will decline by 31.4%.

• Post-secondary age population will decline by 29.8%.

• Working age population will decline by 12.5%.

Age Distribution of Population: 1971 to 2031

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

0-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+

1971 2005 2021 2031

Data based on Statistics Canada estimates and population projections of Economics & Statistics Scenario

Source: Nova Scotia Department of Finance, Economics & Statistics Division

Data Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Statistics

Inter-provincial Migration Nova Scotia, 2001/02 to 2005/06

1633

1

1668

6

1508

7

1504

0

1648

6

1722

9

1617

6

1585

9

1808

1

2041

6

-898

-772

-304

1

-393

0

510

-5,000

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Interprovincial In-Migrants Interprovincial Out-Migrants Net Interprovincial Migrants

July 1st to June 30th data collection period

Number of people by proficiency level

Population distribution of proficiency, 16-65, Canada and Nova Scotia, 2003

14.60% 11.90%

27.30% 26.50%

38.60% 42.10%

19.50% 19.50%

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

100.0%

Canada Nova Scotia

Level 4/5

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

4.2m

8.2m

5.8m

3.1m

124,000

267,000

168,000

75,000

Over 240,000 residents of Nova Scotia have prose literacy scores below level 3

Adult Literacy

Source: International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 2003

Level 1

• 75,000

• 56 % male and 42% female

• 47% were employed

• 14% were unemployed

• 39% not in labour force

• 67% less than high school

Characteristics of people at levels 1 and 2 (population 16-65)

Source: IALSS, 2003

Level 2

• 168,000

• 50% male and 50% female

• 58% were employed

• 13% were unemployed

• 29% not in labour force

• 38% less than high school

Many of those with low literacy skills are working but they are vulnerable.

What we are doing

Enough hands

• Policy Review – Skills NS framework and Demographics Project

• Targeted Marketing– 4R Strategy– Retention, Recruitment, Repatriation,

Retraining

• Apprenticeship scholarships and financial incentives

• Youth Employment Strategy

• Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

• Strategy for under-employed (Aboriginal, African-Nova Scotian)

Investment in Youth

• Options and Opportunities (02)

• PACC

• Youth Apprenticeship

• Provincial Advisory Group

• Career Options

• Co-op

Skilled Tradespeople

• Apprenticeship Essential Skills

• Document Use Refresher for Apprentices

• PLAR

• Business Competencies for Journeypersons

Nova Scotia’s Adults

• NSSAL

• Older Worker’s Program

• Senior, Family Literacy Program

• Career Information for Adults

Employers and Industry

• Workplace Education

• Invest in Youth

• Mentor / Coach Program (Apprenticeship)

• Smart Business / Employer of Choice

• BRE Program

Education and Training Partners

• NSCC

• Customized Programs

• ALP

• Collaborative Apprenticeship

Thank You