IGNITE & The Nova Scotia Innovation Hub (NSHI) Growing Bioeconomy

July 7th, 2021 --- IGNITE Atlantic (IGNITE) and the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub (NSIH) are pleased to announce the launch of Careers in Sustainability, a program that will help Nova Scotians and those interested in starting a career in Nova Scotia find work in Nova Scotia’s growing bioeconomy. Careers in Sustainability will fill a gap that exists between bioeconomy firms looking for skilled labour to support their growth, and underemployed individuals who are not aware these opportunities exist. The types of employment opportunities are wide-ranging, including equipment operators, process technicians, sales and marketing, advanced chemistry and biology, and more. Careers in Sustainability is being funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education’s Back to Work Community Partnership Initiative and runs from April 2021 until Fall 2022. The program will include the following phases: - An awareness campaign highlighting opportunities in the bioeconomy, including virtual tours, video interviews, case studies and more. - Experiential learning, where smaller groups have the opportunity to engage in more interactive communication with bioeconomy leaders, such as roundtables and Q&A sessions. - Up to 10 cost-shared short-term internships for students and recent graduates. - Up to 20 cost-shared full-time positions (intended to be permanent, continuing on after the program). - Funded short-term training and upskilling available for selected candidates. The NSIH is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to grow Nova Scotia’s low-carbon, sustainable bioeconomy. With its partners, the NSIH works to create value from underutilized renewable resources from the forestry, agriculture, ocean, and solid waste sectors. The NSIH advocates for opportunities in the sector, engages stakeholders to develop the conditions for growth, and supports bioeconomy businesses who are expanding in Nova Scotia. IGNITE is an organization that supports rural entrepreneurship by providing access to youth, entrepreneurs, industry, and communities to come together and create opportunities that benefit the innovation ecosystem of Atlantic Canada. In partnership, both NSIH and IGNITE have completed several successful initiatives within the bioeconomy. These include the START[2020] bioresource innovation pitch competition and Atlantic BIOCON virtual events (along with BioNB and CCNB-Innov), and alignment on regional forestry sector innovation activities. NSIH and IGNITE are committed to building rural economies that are responsible, sustainable, and clean to ensure local opportunities are always available to Nova Scotians. For more information on the Careers in Sustainability program, visit www.careersinsustainability.ca. For media inquiries, please contact Rod Badcock, Executive Director of the NSIH, at rod.badcock@bioapplied.com. For program participation inquiries, please contact Ryan Duff, Program Manager of the NSIH, at ryan.duff@bioapplied.com. Quotes:

“The Back to Work Community Partnership focuses on helping employers hire skilled workers and supports people, especially those from underrepresented groups, to prepare, train and connect to meaningful employment. Partnering directly with organizations like Nova Scotia Innovation Hub and Ignite Atlantic allows us to find innovative solutions and support the Nova Scotians who need it most.” - Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education “Nova Scotia’s bioeconomy can only be as strong as the people who work in it. Through this funding and our partnership with IGNITE, we will be able to connect people with the right skills to the exciting opportunities that are waiting for them. This is a big step forward for a growing, sustainable sector in Nova Scotia.” - Rod Badcock, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Innovation Hub “This type of investment is exactly what Ignite thrives on—funding that fills gaps and supports a new and exciting sector in our economy. We are proud to partner with the provincial government and the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub to help people enter and thrive in the bioeconomy.” - Doug Jones, Founder/CEO, IGNITE Labs