DataNB
The latest from the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training

Each summer, NB-IRDT hosts cohorts of student research teams as part of its Pathways to Professions (P2P) experiential learning program. For 13 weeks, these students work on New Brunswick-relevant projects while attending a full curriculum of professional skills workshops. In 2022, NB-IRDT launched a new partnership with the Government of New Brunswick's Future GNB / Avenir GNB program to host P2P students working on government research projects – allowing the program to grow in both size and reach. Now that the 2022 program has ended, we are excited to share our students’ projects and their findings in our student spotlight series. 

What is RecruitNB?

RecruitNB is a Future GNB research stream focused on identifying current and future labour gaps within one of New Brunswick’s largest employers: the Government of New Brunswick. Led by the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, the student team spent Summer 2022 collecting and analyzing data to help inform future employment policies and hiring practices. 

RecruitNB was tasked with surveying GNB departments to find out where there are job vacancies and possible reasons why. To collect this information, the team conducted interviews and produced and distributed a survey to 1,200 GNB leaders across various departments. 

So, why might labour gaps be appearing in GNB, and what steps can be taken to help address them? You can learn more about RecruitNB’s research process and findings in their Atlantic Student Research Journal article.

Meet the 2022 RecruitNB Team

Rikkie Guillemette – RecruitNB Communications Coordinator

Rikkie Guillemette is in their second year at Mount Allison University with a major in music and a minor in Canadian studies. After they graduate, Rikkie hopes to pursue a master’s degree in composition for visual media and to use their music to enrich Canadian media culture. Outside of music, Rikkie’s passions lie in the Pittsburgh Steelers, live entertainment, video games, and spending time with friends and family.

Sana Hashmat – RecruitNB Researcher

Sana Hashmat is a third-year biology student at the University of New Brunswick. Her aspirations upon graduation are to attend medical school and become a practicing physician. In her free time, she enjoys writing plays, discussing politics and philosophy, and playing guitar.

Olivia DeMerchant – RecruitNB Researcher

Olivia DeMerchant is in her third year of mechanical engineering (with the option of biomedical engineering) at the University of New Brunswick. Once Olivia graduates from her degree, she hopes to continue her education by earning her master’s degree and plans to research new methods of designing functional prosthetics. When school is out of session, Olivia enjoys watching her plants grow with her three cats and going to the gym to lift weights.

Karan Anand – RecruitNB Researcher

Karan Anand is in his second year at the University of New Brunswick, where he is pursuing a bachelor of business administration and intends to major in finance. He was also named Vice President of Academics at his business society for 2022-23, to look after the management student experience at UNB. Karan's fundamental aim is to put his knowledge to service and generate entrepreneurial concepts that would aid in societal development. Apart from academic life, he also enjoys watching sitcoms such as The Office and playing soccer.