Nearly 70% of young professionals in Halifax would consider leaving for another opportunity

Lifestyle, balance and family roots heralded for reasons to live, work, play – and stay – in Halifax

January 29, 2009 - Halifax, NS – Why do young professionals choose to work in Halifax? What can companies and organizations do to attract young talent? Do young people see a future for themselves in our city?

The FUSION Halifax People Factor Action Team, a group of young individuals passionate about Halifax and its growth, released answers to these questions, provided insight and opened up provocative discussion on what young professionals want in both their job and their city by revealing results from a recent employment survey of 234 young people between the ages of 20 and 40. The survey results were revealed tonight at a sold-out event at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

"Our goal was to reach out to our young people and really understand how they feel about Halifax as a city of choice," said Natasha Winters, co-team lead of the People Factor Action Team. "At a time when the default position seems to be to move west, we truly wanted to know if young professionals see a future for themselves in our great city."

The findings of the survey indicate that young professionals want to live where there is a job that offers them the promise of growth, opportunity and high earning potential. Well over half of the survey respondents said they have contemplated leaving in search of these requirements. And, almost 85 per cent of respondents said, that it is in fact proximity to family and friends and lifestyle that keeps them in Halifax, not their career. Additionally:

· 65 per cent believe that Halifax does not offer long-term opportunities for them, indicating that employers in Halifax need to do more to create – or at least promote – exciting jobs for new graduates and experienced young professionals.

· 70 per cent of respondents have been in their current position for three or fewer years.

· Only 51 per cent of respondents indicated that they plan to stay with their current employer for up to three years.

· Approximately 85 per cent ranked proximity to family and friends as the primary reason for staying in Halifax.

o Among Boomerangers (have once again returned to Halifax), 83 per cent returned to be close to family and friends.

o 69 per cent said that although they would rather remain close to their roots, they would consider leaving for the right career opportunity.

· Among Boomerangers 76 per cent indicated they would leave again for the right opportunity.

· The secondary reason for staying Halifax, at 75 per cent, is lifestyle.

· The survey results suggest that Halifax's young professionals live a balanced life, with 76 per cent working an average of 36-50 hours per week. This shows Halifax as a jurisdiction that encourages and supports healthy work-life balance.

"The results of this survey provide a great insight for Nova Scotia employers including government about what is important to young professionals," said Deputy Minister Margaret MacDonald. "69 per cent would consider moving away from Nova Scotia for the right opportunity. We - government and businesses - need to ensure these people understand there are real opportunities right here - in IT, aerospace and defense, health and finance sectors. We need our young professionals, recent graduates and those starting their careers to consider Halifax - and Nova Scotia - as a great place to life, do business and work."

In addition to the much anticipated results, FUSION Halifax hosted a panel discussion and Q&A with local business leaders. The employment climate and challenges facing both young professionals and employers were addressed, also giving YPs the opportunity to personally ask our panelists some of the questions that perhaps keep them up at night.

The discussion was moderated by Michael DeVenney, President of Bluteau DeVenney & Company, and comprised of Margaret MacDonald, Deputy Minister, Labour Workforce and Development; Mark Surrette, President, Robertson Surrette; Janet Byrne, Director, Employee Relations, NSCC; and Catherine Mullally, Director, Human Resources, HRM. Remarks were offered by Bob Fowler, Deputy Minister Communications Nova Scotia; and Alyson Queen, Natasha Winters and Graeme Rudderham of FUSION Halifax.

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For more information please contact:

Alyson Queen, FUSION Halifax

902-499-4499

alyson.queen@bell.aliant.ca

Stacey Jones-Oxner, Nova Scotia Come to Life

902-424-4163

joness@gov.ns.ca

About FUSION Halifax

FUSION Halifax is a networking group created by and for young people who are inspired to make their city a better and more sustainable place to live, work and play. Through its nearly 1300 members, volunteer committees and dynamic networks, FUSION Halifax showcases existing opportunities – and unleashes new ones—that encourage civic and community engagement. For more information or to join FUSION Halifax, visit www.fusionhalifax.ca.