Across Nova Scotia, construction cranes, road projects and new developments signal a province that’s growing.
Behind every one of those projects is a skilled trades professional — and for employers, finding and keeping skilled workers is among the biggest opportunities for growth.
To capitalize on our potential, Nova Scotia is taking a coordinated, long-term approach to growing the skilled trades.
By expanding training, strengthening apprenticeship pathways, and working closely with industry, the province is building a stronger talent pipeline that helps employers access the people they need — now and into the future.
Momentum You Can Measure
Since launching a $100-million investment in the skilled trades in 2023, Nova Scotia has made measurable progress.
A central focus has been increasing the number of apprentices entering the system and reaching certification. The province set a target of adding 5,000 new apprentices by 2026. That goal has already been exceeded, with 5,523 new apprentice registrations since October 1, 2023.
At the other end of the pipeline, certification numbers are also rising.
Nova Scotia set a goal of certifying 1,000 journeypersons annually. That target was met for the first time in 2024-25, with 1,054 certifications, and the province is on track to meet it again in 2025-26.
For employers, these results mean a growing supply of trained, certified workers entering the labour market.
“Nova Scotia needs more skilled trades professionals,” says Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
“Our focus is on making it easier for people to enter the trades, complete their training, and build long-term careers – while ensuring employers have access to the skilled workforce they need.”
Opening More Doors into the Trades
Another important shift has been investing more deeply in the pathways people already use to enter the skilled trades — with a focus on helping more people move through the system faster.
Nova Scotia has strengthened pre-apprenticeship and entry-level training, improved connections between classroom learning and on-the-job experience, and invested in pathways that support youth, career-changers, newcomers, and veterans.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, the focus is on improving how the system works in practice — so people can move more efficiently from training into apprenticeship and certification, while employers benefit from a steadier flow of skilled workers.
“People come to the skilled trades from many different starting points,” says Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
“Our role is to make the system easier to navigate and more relevant and responsive to industry needs, so more people can move confidently from training into certification.”
Apprenticeships That Work for Business
Apprenticeships remain the backbone of the skilled trades system — and employers are the primary trainers of apprentices. Nova Scotia’s focus is on making the system work better for the businesses that take on that role.
That includes stronger supports for employers, clearer training expectations, and better coordination between employers and training providers — helping reduce delays, improve retention, and support workforce planning.
“Employers are the primary trainers of apprentices, and we recognize the critical role they play,” says Young. “By strengthening apprenticeships, we’re supporting business growth while ensuring apprentices gain the skills and experience they need to succeed.”
Industry Partnerships in Action
This work is driven by close, ongoing partnerships with industry — and those partnerships are showing up where it matters most.
Automotive groups like O’Regan’s Automotive Group are helping ensure training keeps pace with evolving technology and modern skills needs.
“We all rely on cars – for getting to work, school runs, and for daily errands but none of that happens without automotive technicians,” says Tim Manuel, Vice President, Fixed Operations at O’Regan’s.
“An effective partnership between businesses such as ours, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the NSCC is essential to develop workers who are job-ready and able to deliver real results.”
In construction, organizations like the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council help connect apprentices to hands-on experience, mentorship, and safe, structured job sites.
“Enhanced direct-entry programs are changing how people enter the construction industry,” says Alison Casey, Executive Director of the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council.
“They focus on hands-on skills, real job placements, and support for equity-deserving groups — and the results are clear, with more than 70 per cent of participants still working in the industry.”
Building What Comes Next
While progress has been strong, the work continues. Nova Scotia will keep expanding training capacity, strengthening employer partnerships, and adapting as industry needs evolve.
“When employers succeed, Nova Scotia succeeds,” says Young. “By growing the skilled trades together, we’re building a stronger economy – one apprentice, one project, and one partnership at a time.”
