The Halifax Partnership, which runs the Game Changers Youth Retention program, recognizes Halifax employers and connectors who demonstrate leadership in the industry through youth hires and meaningful learning opportunities. With the goal of keeping more youth workers in the province, the private-sector initiative aims to reduce the net annual average youth outmigration to zero by 2019.
Since Game Changers began, the net interprovincial outmigration of youth aged between 20 and 29 years old has improved from 1,500 to 222 between 2014 and 2015. Last year’s outmigration is estimated to be 231, showing the start of a positive trend for more youth staying and working in Nova Scotia.
“We at the Halifax Partnership are so proud of our province’s progress to date, and it is thanks to our business community,” said Ron Hanlon, president and CEO of the Halifax Partnership. “We’re making great strides, we need to keep the momentum going.”
After receiving more than 100 nominations, the annual awards are presented by TD Canada Trust, who named nine businesses in four categories as this year’s winners.
Best Youth Employer Awards
• Agada Biosciences Inc. (Small Business Category)
• Spring Loaded Technology (Medium Business Category)
• Citco (Canada) Inc. (Large Business Category)
Experiential Learning Awards
• Halifax Refugee Clinic (Small Business Category)
• Kinduct Technologies (Medium Business Category)
• Stantec Consulting Ltd. (Large Business Category)
Best Super
Connector Awards
• Chris O’Shea, Business Development Bank of Canada
• Shelagh McCorry, HSBC Bank Canada
Best Connector
Organization Award
• National Public Relations