Connector Program Coordinator

Full Time, Contract Position (37.5 hours per week) until March 31, 2026 with possibility of contract renewal

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) Connector Program Coordinator is responsible for administering the Valley REN Connector Program. This program now focuses on direct entry into skilled trades for high school graduates and/or other youth to support Nova Scotia's workforce development strategy. The Connector Program will work with government and community partners to identify youth interested in direct-entry skilled trades employment. The Connector Program will facilitate youth work placement in high-demand sectors including Construction, Manufacturing, Motive Power, and Service. This will account for the majority of the Connector Program Coordinator's focus.

The remainder of the Connector's focus will be directed to the traditional Connector Program model where there is a referral process that helps newcomers, local, and international graduates grow their professional networks in the Annapolis Valley. The program connects Connectees with Connectors who work in the same field, including business owners, managers, civil servants, and community leaders. During the meetings, Connectors provide valuable industry details, skills and areas of expertise, related news, current market demands, and hidden job opportunities in the Annapolis Valley.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Connector Program Coordinator will facilitate the following activities:

1. Direct Entry into Skilled Trades activities:

• Presenting to local high schools to promote direct entry to the skilled trades after graduation.
• Collaborating with Youth Apprenticeship Outreach through LSI, and School Liaisons to identify potential apprentices.
• Recruiting businesses in targeted sectors to assess labour needs and to participate in Graduate into Skilled Trades Careers (GiSTC) work placements leading to apprenticeship.
• Working with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency to foster and increase apprentice registrations.
• Partnering with equity-deserving community organizations to attract historically underrepresented peoples into the skilled trades.
• Liaising with the Nova Scotia Community College to connect potential apprentices to skilled trades work placements and/or careers.
• Cooperating with not-for-profit organizations like Nova Scotia Works Centres, CBDC, and Invest NS to optimize GiSTC awareness.
• Hosting workshops that foster employment readiness such as WHMIS, safety training, communication, resume writing, workplace culture, and workplace expectations.
• Coordinating networking events and participating in job fairs to connect potential apprentices with employers.
• Implementing a marketing and social media strategy to promote direct entry into skilled trades.
• Facilitating at least 25 high school graduates and/or other youth into apprenticeships throughout the region annually.

2. Traditional Valley REN Connector Program Model activities:

• Administer the immigrant, local and international graduate Connector Program in alignment with the National Connector Program.
• Ensure that all inquiries receive prompt, inviting, professional, and informative responses.
• Meet with potential candidates, review profile, determine educational and career goals, ensure job readiness, provide labour market information, make selection for participation and match to the first Connector.
• Manage the Connector Program database and ensure accuracy, integrity and timely entry of data.
• Provide excellent client service that meets the expectations and requirements of internal and external clients.
• Work independently, exercising good judgment, decision making and problem-solving skills throughout the completion of all job responsibilities.
• Promote effectively the Valley REN's mission and vision within the workplace, client base, and broader community.
• Participation in online virtual and in-person events.
• Other duties as assigned by the Coordinator's supervisor.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Strong judgement, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent data management skills; ensure accuracy, integrity and timely entry of data.
• Maintain confidentiality in communication with all participants.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients and members of the Valley REN team.
• Experience with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Canva, Social Media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.

Experience

1-3 years' work experience, preferably in education, community, or business administration or a related field; experience working in apprenticeship or skilled trades related fields is also an asset.

Working Environment

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, in an office environment (regional office is located in Kentville).
• Flexibility in working hours is required as some work will happen outside of regular hours.
• Frequent travel throughout the region may be required to fulfill the duties of this role, therefore continuous access to reliable transportation to areas within West Hants, Kings and Annapolis Counties, with the possibility of other parts of the Province is a requirement and responsibility of the employee.

Salary Range: $52,000-$57,000 per year

Deadline for Application: Friday, September 26, 2025

Please send your merged CV and cover letter by Friday, September 26, 2025 to:

Jennifer Tufts, COO

Valley Regional Enterprise Network

[email protected]

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Valley REN acknowledges that we are in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded territory and ancestral homeland of the Mi'kmaq nation. Our relationship is based on a series of Peace and Friendship treaties between the Mi'kmaq Nation and the Crown, dating back to 1725. In Nova Scotia, we recognize that We are All Treaty People.

The Valley REN is committed to fostering a welcoming, equitable and accessible workplace where all team members feel valued, respected and supported. The Valley REN is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants.

About the Valley REN

The Valley REN is the regional economic development organization for the Annapolis Valley Region. The Valley REN carries out the economic development priorities for its members, which currently include Glooscap First Nation, the Municipality of the County of Kings, West Hants Regional Municipality, and the Towns of Berwick, Kentville, Wolfville and Middleton. Funding for the Valley REN is provided by its members and is matched by the Province of Nova Scotia to support economic development on a regional level. Together with the Province, our partners provide oversight to the Valley REN Board of Directors, which is led by the regional business community.

Our Mission: The Valley Regional Enterprise Network's mission is to be the catalyst for a thriving, sustainable and inclusive regional economy in the Annapolis Valley. Serving the Annapolis Valley region, we are uniquely positioned to objectively address the economic and business development needs of the region as a whole without being confined to municipal boundaries. We are the "boots on the ground," helping to link the private sector and public organizations around common objectives for regional economic progress.