News & Events

CHERRY BROOK — Edith Simmonds is used to working, but for more than a year she’s been without a job.

"I’m looking for anything," the Dartmouth resident said during an interview while attending a job fair here last Thursday.

Simmonds had worked for 19 years at the Moirs chocolate factory in Dartmouth, but when Hershey Company closed the plant in December 2007, she was one of the nearly 600 people to lose jobs.

Thursday’s job fair targeted primarily African-Nova Scotians, particularly those living in the Prestons and Dartmouth area. The event was organized by Watershed Association Development Enterprise Ltd.

"We have very high unemployment rates," said Tony Atuanya, the organization’s executive director. "We have a lot of barriers as African-Nova Scotians."

Some of the barriers preventing people in the area from good jobs include low literacy rates, limited public transportation, lack of access to skills training programs at colleges and the impact of racism and "all the isms of the past," Atuanya said.

Twenty-nine employers and agencies attended the fair, including the Department of National Affairs, the Halifax Regional Fire Service, Halifax Regional Police, TD Bank and Michelin Tire.

"We are a very diverse company," said Vernon Simms, who was representing Michelin Thursday.

"Being a visible minority myself, I know there are opportunities," said the quality assurance systems leader and document manager, who started his career 30 years ago operating machines at the Bridgewater tire facility.

Simms said he spoke with people Thursday who had been laid off due to downsizing and shutdowns, as well as some who are looking for a second career and others who are entering the workforce for the first time.

Michelin’s plants are in Bridgewater, Waterville and Granton, and Simms said several job seekers voiced concerns about how far away the plants are located from metro.

"People do travel and people do car pool," Simms said he assured them.

Nadine Sparks and her daughter Desiree both spoke with a representative of TD Bank.

"I want to work with a bank," Nadine Sparks said.

She’s been off work for some time — "doctor’s order" — but said she is eager to get back into the workforce.

Her daughter, a university student, is looking for a summer job with part-time hours in the fall and winter.

The duo said they got some good information about how to tailor their resumes for the bank.

"It was very helpful," Nadine Sparks said.

Bernadette Reid has a job, but went to the fair because she is looking for a career change and year-round employment. The Lake Echo woman works seasonally as a tax professional with H & R Block.

"I’m looking at getting involved in some more customer service work," Reid said.

Thursday marked the seventh annual job fair organized by Watershed Association Development Enterprise.

"We tend to see a lot of media when we have issues with our youth," Atuanya said.

"We would like the media to get the word out that we have people who want to work . . . and be part of mainstream society."