Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council

06/12/2026

Building a career in a new country takes resilience, determination, and the right support. 💼🏗️

After more than a decade of construction project coordination experience in Brazil, Érika Britto Sobral Santos Pereira found new opportunities in Nova Scotia through our Project Management & Estimating (PM&E) Program.

Through industry connections, mentorship, and training, the program helped bridge her international experience with Nova Scotia’s growing construction sector.

Today, Érika is thriving as a Project Coordinator. Her journey highlights the impact that training programs, employer engagement, and newcomer support can have in helping skilled professionals build rewarding careers while strengthening Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

06/08/2026

🏗️ Helping Construction Employers Build a Stronger Workforce 🌎

The International Recruiter for the Construction Immigration Coalition recently visited employers in Cape Breton to discuss and assist with the preparation of Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) forms for current employees.

Ritika Sharma works closely with construction employers across Nova Scotia, providing guidance and support throughout the immigration process. Her role is to help employers navigate immigration pathways and connect with the resources they need to attract and retain skilled workers.

If you are a construction employer with questions about NSNP forms or immigration options for your workforce, this support is available.

📧 For assistance, contact Ritika Sharma at: [email protected]

06/05/2026

Our Executive Director was pleased to attend the 5th Annual Workforce Development Summit this week in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Valuable conversations on workforce development, Team Canada Strong, skilled trades, Indigenous partnerships, safety, and innovation continue to shape a stronger future for Canada's construction industry. As Canada focuses on building economic resilience and growing a highly skilled workforce, collaboration across our industry has never been more important.

Another successful Workforce Development Summit!

SkillPlan was proud to co-host the 5th annual Workforce Development Summit with Canada's Building Trades Unions, bringing together leaders from across the Building Trades network this week in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Leaders from Provincial Building Trades Councils across Canada, CBTU, industry partners and SkillPlan gathered for meaningful discussions on the critical role of the skilled trades in Canada's economic future.

Conversations focused on Team Canada Strong, workforce development, Indigenous Reconciliation, safety harmonization, emerging technologies and the supports needed to help individuals succeed throughout their careers — from trade entry and apprenticeship to journeyworker and leadership roles.

The summit also highlighted the importance of measuring the impact of workforce development initiatives on apprenticeship and worker success in helping guide evidence-based decisions, inform future strategies and support a strong and sustainable skilled trades workforce for the future.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's summit. The insights shared, ongoing commitment and collaboration continue to strengthen our collective efforts to build a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce.

Together, we are helping shape the future of the skilled trades in Canada.

BC Building Trades Building Trades of Alberta Saskatchewan Building Trades Manitoba Building Trades The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario CTAO Conseil provincial (International) Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Cape Breton Building Trades Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council New Brunswick's Building Trades Unions Trades NL: Building Trades of Newfoundland and Labrador P.E.I. Building Trades Helmets to Hardhats Canada Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures Employment and Social Development Canada

06/04/2026

🎓 Celebrating the latest graduates of the Introduction to Carpentry & Scaffolding program!

After 16 weeks of classroom learning, hands-on shop training, and work-integrated learning, participants have successfully completed the program and are ready to take the next step toward careers in Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

Thank you to the Atlantic Canada Regional Council, Carpenters Union Local 1588, Mi'kmaw Economic Benefits Office of Nova Scotia, Eskasoni First Nation, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, industry employers, and everyone who supported participants throughout their training journey. Your commitment helped create valuable opportunities for participants to develop new skills, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for successful careers in the skilled trades.

We are proud to celebrate the graduates' achievements and wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their skilled trades journey. 🔨✨

Learn more : https://nscsc.ca/bridging-community-and-industry-program-creates-new-pathways-into-the-skilled-trades/

Nova Scotia Government

06/03/2026

This is what happens when industry comes together to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals.🔨✨

During a tour with Women Unlimited, Breanna Marr, a Carpentry student at Nova Scotia Community College - NSCC, connected with Sonny Harker and the team at Arsenault Bros. working on the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Expansion Project. What started as a conversation turned into an opportunity for four weeks of valuable on-the-job learning experience.

As Brianna returns to complete her program, she does so with new skills, confidence, and industry connections that will help shape her future career.

Success in the skilled trades is built through partnerships, mentorship, and opportunities like these. We're proud to have played a small role in Breanna's journey and can't wait to see what comes next.🤝Thank you to Women Unlimited, Arsenault Bros. Construction, and Build Nova Scotia for helping create meaningful opportunities in the skilled trades 🙌

Wishing you all the best, Breanna, from the NSCSC Sydney team!

06/01/2026

Registration is now open!

The NSCSC's Skilled Trades Camp, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the Province of Nova Scotia, is back for 2026, giving youth in Grades 7–9 the opportunity to explore skilled trades through hands-on activities, industry-led workshops, team challenges, and more.

📅 July 13–17, 2026
📍 10 Ragged Lake Blvd., Halifax
💲 Free to attend

Spaces are limited, so register today!

Visit nscsc.ca/register

05/29/2026

After an incredible response last year, our Skilled Trades Camp is returning for 2026!

This free week-long camp gives youth in Grades 7–9 the opportunity to experience skilled trades firsthand through interactive projects, safety training, industry-led activities, team-building challenges, and more.

Together, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council are helping young Nova Scotians explore the careers that build our communities and shape our future workforce.

📅 July 13–17, 2026 (9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily)
📍 Halifax, NS
📝 Registration opens June 1 at 9:00 a.m.

Visit nscsc.ca/register for details and registration information.

05/27/2026

Celebrating the graduates of the Intro to Communications Technician Program! 🎓 The graduation ceremony brought together participants, instructors, and industry partners to recognize the successful completion of the program, made possible through the Enhanced Direct-Entry Pathway.

Through this program, graduates gained real-world, hands-on experience by working on major construction projects across the province, including the IWK Expansion Project, Purdy’s Wharf Tower, and apartment developments in Dartmouth Crossing. This on-the-job learning strengthened their technical skills while directly supporting key infrastructure development and contributing to Nova Scotia’s growing skilled trades workforce.

Read the full news release below. https://nscsc.ca/celebrating-success-in-the-intro-to-communications-technician-program/

IBEW Local 625 Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia

05/26/2026

The Cape Breton Medical Campus stands as a powerful investment in the future of healthcare, education and community across Nova Scotia. 👏

We were honoured to attend the official opening event a few weeks ago and to have had the opportunity to visit the site during the construction phase, witnessing firsthand the incredible work, coordination and craftsmanship that went into bringing this historic project to life.

Projects of this scale and significance do not happen without the dedication of trades professionals, project teams, employers working together every step of the way.🏗️

JoneLJim Construction served as the Construction Management Company alongside an outstanding team including TK Elevator, RKO Steel, Northern Contracting Ltd., Brilun Group of Companies, Aucoin Group, Lynk Group, John Trenholm, Flynn Group, Cape Breton Drywall, Royal Flooring, Sydney Landscaping

A proud recognition to everyone involved in creating a facility that will educate and support future generations of healthcare professionals while benefiting communities across Nova Scotia for years to come. 🌟

Nova Scotia Government Cape Breton University Nova Scotia Health

05/22/2026

Yesterday, our Trades Exhibition Hall was packed as delegates from the Canadian Construction Association Conference visited our facility.

Professionals from across Canada were impressed by our hands-on learning approach that introduces youth to the skilled trades at an early stage. Delegates from multiple provinces expressed interest in modeling this innovative concept and exploring our one-of-a-kind facility.

We are proud to be leading the way in Canada by creating meaningful youth engagement in the trades and helping build the future Canadian skilled workforce. 🇨🇦🔨