Nova Scotia Funding Supports Newcomer Skilled Trades Assessments

January 22, 2024

Newcomers and Nova Scotians now have more access to training and certification in construction trades.

“We’ve taken bold action and made significant investments to help increase and preserve affordable housing in Nova Scotia,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We also need to have enough skilled trades professionals and building officials to keep pace with development needs and ensure buildings are safe. These investments are helping to expand access to this important programming so we can build more homes, faster.”

The Province is increasing funding for the Work-based Trades Practical Assessment program and a training program run by the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association.

Expanding support for the Work-based Trades Practical Assessment program, a partnership between the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), will increase the supply of skilled trades professionals in the province. With this new funding, about 175 newcomers experienced in construction trades will receive support to complete their apprenticeship and work in Nova Scotia.

The Province is helping the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association expand its training program and create more opportunities for municipal staff to access specialized training needed to become a qualified building official in Nova Scotia. The government is also working to remove barriers and streamline the equivalency process for building officials trained outside Nova Scotia, including removing the six-month on-the-job training requirement under the association’s professional studies program.

The investments were identified in Nova Scotia’s five-year housing plan, Our Homes, Action for Housing.