Current Priorities & Initiatives
•Northumberland Shore Craft Trail Project | • Recruitment & Retention Initiative | •Northumberland Shore Tourism Assessment Profile
The Northumberland Shore Craft Trail Project will provide crafters and artisans in the Northumberland Shore region an opportunity to grow their businesses through the cooperative development and marketing of a themed experience along a designated travel route. This initiative has encouraged the cultivation of a "ready-for-business" arts and crafts industry in the region.
This is a collaborative project directed at highlighting and promoting the artisans of the North Shore and the landscape that inspires them. The Northumberland Shore stretches from Amherst to Antigonish.
The project's initial focus will develop a logo and tagline to identify and help market the trail as a unique visitor destination. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to produce a website with interactive mapping that will allow visitors to the area to select from a wide variety of art and craft experiences. The visitor will then be able to either print a customized map or download it to a hand-held device (i.e.: Blackberry, I-Phone, I-Pod or smart phone). This initiative will also make companion guides and maps available by ordering online (thereby gathering a database of interested visitors) as well as being available at tourist bureaus and participating artisan locations.
To kick off the project and celebrate the breadth and depth of talent here, a short video highlighting a sample of art driven experiences has been produced. The video was shot by a local videographer and features original local music. The video is a key component in successfully drawing in visitors and is sure to leave viewers with the feeling of wanting to see the art and area for themselves.
Benefits of investing in the development of a Craft Trail include:
• Increased opportunities for self-employment for artisans and crafters and improved viability of arts and crafts businesses throughout our region
• Rural economic vitality
• Cultural Tourism Product Development and Destination Development
• Direct economic impact through visitation and spin-off business
• Meeting the demand for experiential tourism and handmade/local products
• Introducing artisans to new opportunities and partnerships
Partners
• Antigonish Regional Development Authority (ARDA)
• Centre for Women In Business
• Colchester Regional Development Agency (CORDA)
• Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association (CREDA)
• Pictou County Tourist Association
• Pictou Regional Development Commission (PRDC)
The task of securing skilled workers is becoming critical to business growth and development. The Recruitment & Retention Initiative is a multi-year project to attract workers with the needed skills and knowledge–and retain them.
Several factors have combined to make this project a priority, including: declining population, out-migration and increased competition from other communities who are also trying to attract workers. In fact, since 2001, the population of Pictou County aged 20-44 has decreased by 1,440 and since 1996 the population in this same age bracket has decreased by 3,360.
The 9 points of the Recruitment & Retention plan are:
1) Build an Enhanced Asset Map for Pictou County
2) Brand and Market P.C. collectively, effectively and consistently
3) Foster/join in collaborative marketing
4) Create a common vision for the future
5) Foster pride and passion in the people of P.C.
6) Develop a Welcoming Community Advisory Council
7) Define and Refine Best Practices of Recruitment & Retention
8) Promote Pictou County to young adults
9) Develop lasting connections with Post-Secondary Students
Some of the initiatives of the Recruitment & Retention project include:
Dal Employment Event: PRDC, in partnership with the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA) hosted an Employment Event at Dalhousie University to promote Pictou County and to help connect those who are looking to work in Pictou County with companies who are looking for skilled employees. The event featured display booths from our major employers and guest speakers, who shared their perspective of the benefits of living and working in Pictou County.
Fusion Festival: The 1st annual Fusion Festival was held August 15, 2009 at Trenton Park. It included a range of activities and entertainment that not only celebrated local cultural diversity but also provided a venue for newcomers and community members to mix and get to know each other. The Fusion Festival is about fostering a more welcoming community with a family-oriented event. Partners: United Way, Multi-Cultural Association, YMCA, Community Health Boards, MISA). It proved to be a wonderful gathering (over 200 participants) with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and meet people from around the world. There is no doubt that this was the beginning of an ongoing community mixer that would help fuse newcomers and long-timers as one in the community!
Career Networking Event: This event featured a ‘Panel Discussion' of prospective employers on why they each chose Pictou County, what they like about living and working in the County, as well as why they are recruiting and what positions they are looking to fill. Career seekers were given the opportunity to speak with company representatives, learn about specific career opportunities and distribute their resumes. The event also attracted representatives of various University Career Services Units, as well a number of Recruitment Agencies.
Welcoming Community Initiative: To expand upon our efforts to foster a more welcoming community, PRDC has been part of a partnership called the Welcoming Community Steering Committee (WCSC), with various community organizations and major employers represented, including the United Way, the Multicultural Association of Pictou County, the YMCA Host Program and the Pictou County Health Authority. The WCSC facilitated a workshop to identify the various actions for making Pictou County a more welcoming community. From this The Pictou County Welcoming & Inclusive Strategy (2MB) was developed and an Implementation Team has been established to prioritize the actions and set timeframes.