Building Opportunities for Learning and Development

Student Info

The primary goal of the Building Opportunities for Learning and Development (BOLD) Employment Program is to increase students’ self-awareness, career goals, workplace connections, and employability in Nova Scotia. A similar program started with the Tramble Centre for Accessible Learning and has been running for three years. We are excited to share that this initiative has expanded and is a collaborative partnership between the Diversity and Engagement Centre and Student Career Services (SCC).

The BOLD Employment program will support diverse students including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous and Mi’kmaq, and groups from other historically undeserved groups with career planning, job search, and connecting to the world of work. In addition, we are able to support students for summer roles within the province of Nova Scotia and for part-time work starting in September 2023.

What does the BOLD Employment Program Look Like?

This program consists of two opportunities. Students can access one or both opportunities. First, students can access assistance with cover letter & resume writing, job search, interview skills and career-related questions. Second, through the BOLD work experience program, students will be able to work in a paid summer 2023 role within Nova Scotia. While completing the work experience, we will be checking-in with students and employers regarding how the work experience is progressing. 

How to Get Involved in the BOLD Employment Program?

If you are interested in participating in the summer work experience program, please contact: BOLD Coordinator: Colin Smithers, @email

Employer Info

BOLD Employment Program, organized by St. Francis Xavier University Student Career Centre & the Diversity Engagement Centre, is an employment program to assist underrepresented students secure summer or part time employment, gain work experience, and develop their professional skills and competencies.

Subsidized funding is received from the Nova Scotia Government’s Labour, Skills, and Immigration department. One of the goals of BOLD is to support employers in advancing positive, inclusive, and antiracist workplaces, build inclusive workplace competency using best practices such as cluster hiring, coaching, and staff development. If you are a registered Nova Scotia business or charitable organization with the Registry of Joint Stocks, Canada Revenue Agency and are up to date with source deductions, you qualify for funding. Employers must confirm that no current workers will be laid off because of the wage subsidy payment.

This is a pilot program for the 2023 fiscal year. We have successfully run a similar program for students with documented disabilities.

Funding through the BOLD program may be stackable with other funding streams.  There is limited funding available.

To learn more, contact Colin Smithers, BOLD Coordinator. Email: @email