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On March 7, 2012, Nova Scotia’s Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism held a special media announcement at Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building. The event brought together supporters of co-operative education from across the province and the room was filled with students, staff, faculty and employers eagerly awaiting the good news.

Announced by Minister Percy Paris, the Cooperative Graduate Placement Program (CGPP) is set to stimulate provincial economic growth by providing employers an incentive to hire graduates from Nova Scotia’s co-operative educational programs into full-time employment. Consistent with the government’s jobsHere plan and Workforce Strategy, the CGPP was developed in consultation with Nova Scotia’s post-secondary educational institutions that offer co-operative educational programs.

Saeed El-Darahali, President & CEO of SimplyCast with Jennifer Jackson, Â鶹´«Ã½ Corporate Residency MBA intern

It’s a win-win-win for students, employers and post-secondary educational institutions. Graduating co-op students eager to secure permanent employment in Nova Scotia will now have more opportunities available. Employers who receive funding are now able to secure experienced and qualified talent to advance their businesses. Post-secondary institutions anticipate the announcement will encourage more students to consider the benefits of co-op programs.

To ensure Nova Scotia continues to grow its economy and compete on a global scale, the CGPP will provide funding of $400,000 to private, government-funded and not-for-profit organizations in various sectors. Special consideration will go to industries such as ocean technology, financial services, information and communication technologies, aerospace and defense. The Province anticipates the funding will produce 50 new job opportunities in 2012/13.

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