Director Adult Education

Valuing Diversity

At Labour, Skills and Immigration we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We work hard to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcome and valued.

We are committed to helping diverse talent thrive.  We encourage applications from those that equally value diversity.

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is a dynamic and innovative department that is focused on strategies, policies and programs that help people live, learn and work to their highest potential in vibrant businesses and organizations throughout the province.

The mandate of the Skills and Learning Branch within the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration is to support the growth and strengthening of Nova Scotia’s workforce through the delivery of a labour market programming.

The branch is responsible for:

• Setting the strategic direction and providing leadership across the labour market portfolio;
• Ensuring the delivery of a modernized, future-focused workforce development system that underpins economic growth;
• Ensuring continuity and strategic use of multi-year federal funding agreements; and
• Providing evidence-based advice on labour market risks and opportunities to senior levels of government.

The branch’s Skills and Learning programs:

• Support workforce development in Nova Scotia in support of economic growth;
• Help businesses, sectors and employees to become more productive through skills training, strategic human resource services, and industry/sector partnerships;
• Help unemployed Nova Scotians prepare for, and secure work, through skills training, employment assistance, and work experience opportunities and local employment supports through the Nova Scotia Works system;
• Support career advancement and upskilling of Nova Scotia’s workforce;
• Support career-oriented work experiences for post-secondary students and employment for recent graduates and other youth; and
• Provide adult learners with the foundational education needed to enable further education or jobs through the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, and recognition of skills and credentials. 

About Our Opportunity

As the Director of Adult Education, you will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of an effective, accessible province-wide Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning system that offers free educational programs to assist unemployed and employed Nova Scotians prepare for labour force participation, to work and live in a knowledge based economy, and to meet the needs of regional and local labour markets. The system serves adults who want to improve essential skills including reading, math, computer, and other important academic and workplace skills; work toward a Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults; prepare for the Canadian Adult Education Credential test and upgrade high school credits to qualify for post-secondary education to gain the knowledge and skills needed to achieve employment and education goals.

The Director is also responsible for leading the management of prior learning and international qualification recognition policies and practices to address labour supply challenges and support the attachment of Nova Scotians to employment; enhancing and the acceleration of credentialing processes; ensuring fair and transparent licensing requirements by Nova Scotian regulating bodies and for the enforcement of processes that increase labour mobility. As a member of the Branch senior management team, the Director contributes to overall branch strategic and investment planning and performance monitoring.

Primary Accountabilities

This position is also responsible to: 

• Provide strong leadership, expertise, and knowledge management, develop and implement policy aligned with legislation.

• Direct the development and implementation of major strategies, plans, platforms, programs, services and standards related to adult education. 

• Manage the divisional budget in compliance with government accounting policy and accurately forecast budget requirements for the fiscal year.

• Negotiate program funding agreements with learning institutions and based organizations, to offer accessible, flexible learning programs for adults to obtain a high school diploma and/or skill development to enhance opportunities to or reattach to the labour market.

• Ensure that policies, programs and services are fiscally responsible, appropriately integrated with other divisions of the Branch, and are responsive to the changing needs of Nova Scotians, communities and employers, while aligning with the required outcomes of the programs and the Department. 

• Direct the provision of comprehensive research and analysis of complex issues and program development initiatives by maximizing and increasing capacity within the team to formulate sound policy options, provide policy advice, guidance, value-added solutions end recommendations based on subject matter expertise. 

• Manage effective engagements, both internal and external to the department and government including provincial, territorial and federal governments, industry, labour, sector organizations, regulatory bodies, community organizations and educational institutions.

.

• Ensure Nova Scotia is well positioned in the provincial, national and global landscape to retain and attract new talent by developing and implementing effective systems and programs to assess and recognize informal and formal learning and improve pathways to licensure for qualified individuals by recognizing valid credentials, competencies and experience.

• Manage Nova Scotia’s responsibilities with respect to compliance with the Canada Free Trade Agreement and other relevant Acts and legislation. This includes ensuring regulatory bodies have fair and transparent processes in place to recognize and certify workers moving to Nova Scotia from another province or territory.

• Represent the province in the area of adult learning and education on various committees and serves as the provincial contact for national literacy initiatives and in the areas of adult literacy and essential skills.

• Develop and maintain a system wide communication strategy to ensure consistent messaging, and work with system agreement holders and related parties to ensure that information is presented in the most effective manner.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate you have a demonstrated history of using innovation, creativity and experience to meet the challenges and opportunities an in environment of frequent change. You have experience leading and developing complex and diverse teams and have demonstrated a high level of integrity through progressive leadership experience. You have demonstrated an ability to shape a positive and collaborative organizational environment that develops people and relationships that affect positive change. You have previous experience preparing and presenting briefing materials, documents, and presentations to senior and community leaders.  You have experience in the design, development, and delivery of programs and being able to think conceptually to see the big picture.

Your proven track record in networking, establishing partnerships, and your innovative mindset as a leader is needed. Also required is your previous experience working with multiple interested parties, including being able to build strong and lasting connections and trust-based relationships with representatives from other governments (federal, provincial/territorial).

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree plus several years of related experience in leading programs, systems and people. A Masters’ level degree in Business, Public Administration or a related relevant discipline is considered an asset.  An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered. 

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and capabilities using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

• Some travel, within Nova Scotia, may be required

• This is a permanent position 
  
  

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career

• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.

• Countless career paths.

• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.