Nova Scotia Health is hosting a rural career fair for its Eastern Zone.
Director of Integrated Rural Health, Andrew Heighton, says that the event is the first of its kind and one of the ways that the province is trying to address the healthcare workers shortage that is particularly affecting the Eastern Zone.
“All kinds of initiatives being done by our recruitment and retention team and those range from attending high schools and community colleges/universities, to provide information and meet with prospective students… to work being done provincially around hiring of international nurses and other health care disciplines,” said Heighton.
“I would say every stone has been turned over to see what we can do to support our current healthcare team by bringing in new staff.”
On top of teaching the public about what kind of healthcare jobs might be available to them, one of the fair’s goals is to help people learn about what training and education is required for various fields of healthcare.
“Come in with an open mind and looking for opportunities. You may leave there with information on what universities or community colleges offer the program and how to apply, and then have that contact with the managers to be able to follow up and ask other questions around potential incentives, or educational opportunities,” said Heighton.
The fair is being held on Thursday, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes, as there will be opportunities to secure interviews during the fair.
