New Grads Crucial to Business Growth
Nova Scotia’s GTO program helps inject new ideas to fill gaps in businesses
A Dartmouth-based marine electronics company is building a strong and reliable reputation, thanks to the talented young technicians who serve their clients across the province every day.
Many of those techs are recent graduates.
“The grads we hire are flourishing and it has been fantastic for business,” says Ashley Collins, Human Resources Manager, Atlantic Electronics. “They are demonstrating a keen interest in marine electronics and strong leadership qualities that will help them grow in the company.”
Atlantic Electronics recently hired three Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) grads straight out of the electronics program: Boris Spacek, Timothy Charles and Zachary Semchuk.
“A lot of senior staff have retired from the company, so these new hires are crucial to the continuation and growth of our work,” says Collins.
“I am able to pick up knowledge and expertise from senior technicians, while using my recent education at the same time,” says Charles, who works in the Yarmouth area. “The Graduate to Opportunity program helped me get a foot in the door and make this career a reality.”
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) lowers the cost of hiring a recent graduate for start-ups, small businesses of under 100 full-time employees, non-profits and social enterprises.
Employers receive 25% of a grad’s first year salary (35% if the grad is from a designated diverse group) and 12.5% of a grad’s second year salary.
“There is a big learning curve in this industry,” Collins says. “The GTO program is great because it gives us that subsidization while we’re training our new technicians. It gives us the opportunity to invest the money right back into our newest employees.”
Spacek grew up in New Brunswick and is now working full-time in Digby.
“I enjoy the autonomy and responsibility given to me to do my job. The skills I picked up at NSCC allowed me to enter this industry with an extra edge. I am happy to be motivated by something I enjoy doing,” he says.
More than 600 organizations, like Atlantic Electronics, have hired more than 1,000 recent graduates across Nova Scotia using GTO funding.
Graduate to Opportunity could save your business money on the next person you hire. The process is quick and easy — applications are typically turned around within five business days.
