Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries Project
The Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project addressed the labour market and workforce challenges employers face in the fisheries sector in Atlantic Canada by providing training in the fisheries sector.
ESAF is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The project is delivered in partnership with the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick (LCNB), Literacy Nova Scotia (LNS), Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC) and the Prince Edward Island Literacy Alliance (PEILA).
LNS has been working with Acadian Seaplants and Seastar Seafoods on Nova Scotia’s South Shore to offer mentor training for supervisors as well as training for participants referred by Department of Community Services to fill job vacancies. Participants were trained in essential skills and employability skills for the 6 week training portion. Following this, they went on to a 6 week combined on-the-job training/work placement. All participants successfully completed these components and were offered full-time employment by their respective employers.
The ESAF cohort #2 began in early February 2020 in the Digby area. Concerns around COVID-19 put the training on hold, but 11 participants completed the classroom portion.