‘Things keep on rolling’ with Connector Program

Western REN grateful to ‘connectors,’ program manager says

A year or so after its launch in western Nova Scotia, the Connector Program continues to make connections, bringing youth and newcomers together with business and community leaders.

Part of the Western Regional Enterprise Network, the Connector Program is a networking model where “connectors” (local employers, community leaders, business professionals) meet “connectees” (recent local or international graduates, perhaps people returning home or professionals moving here from abroad).

The meeting could be as simple as a cup of coffee. The idea is that the connector gives the connectee three referrals to help them in their From left: Rick Allwright, Brenda LaGrandeur, Linda Gregory and Scott Surette. LaGrandeur is manager of the Western REN Connector Program. The three others are among the program’s “connectors.” job search.

On March 21, at the Rodd Grand Hotel, the Western REN hosted a luncheon to thank people who have been involved in the Connector Program and to give an up- date on how the initiative is going.

Cards printed in advance of the event that had some stats pertaining to the program already were out of date by the time the luncheon was held. Program manager Brenda LaGrandeur provided some updated figures.

“We now have 59 connectors,” she said, “and we now have 45 connectees. We have four new connectees that have come on board ... so things keep on rolling.”

The connectors in the Western REN’s program represent at least 21 different industries/sectors.

Addressing program participants, LaGrandeur said, “You’re all busy people and that’s why we reach out to (you). You are the most connected people in our region.

“That’s a thank you from me, but I also want to thank you on behalf of the new people that I work with, the connectees who are in the program. They’re all skilled people who are either new to the region or just trying to break into a new career.”

The Western REN program is part of the National Connector Program, which is based in Halifax, where the initiative was launched.

From the comments she hears from the connectees, LaGrandeur said what the connectors do means a lot.

“Those introductions, those referrals that are made, the sharing of your network, is more than just information,” she said. “It’s a way to show those people that we care about them. We care about newcomers. We care about keeping our young people here. We care about growing our population. And we also care about putting skilled people to work in the jobs right here that we know we have in our region.”