Your Journey to a Career in Trades Starts Here.

Get started in your journey to apprenticeship

We understand it’s a big decision to do the training and work ahead, and we highly recommend accessing the support you may need to succeed. We encourage you to sign up with groups like the Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA) who stick with you throughout your trades journey.

To start an apprenticeship, you must have a contractual agreement with an employer. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency can walk you through all the steps you need to take.

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Office to Advance Women Apprentices

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Nova Scotia (OAWA NS) works to enhance entry, advancement and employment for women in construction.

CAF Skill Trades Hub - Apprentices

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s Skilled Trades Hub - Apprentices can connect with apprentices, journeypersons and employers while ensuring you are taking advantage of financial supports and networks designed to help you succeed in the skilled trades.

NS Apprenticeship Learning Supports

Resources available to you to help you prepare for your trades exams including Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide, practice exams, prep courses, and more.

Tranining and Exam Schedules and Enrolment

Includes steps to enrol in in-class or online technical training, accommodations and special needs during technical training.

NS Apprenticeship News & Events

Current news and events regarding apprenticeship in NS and within Canada; keeps viewer knowledgeable and current on happenings within the labour force and skilled trades

Getting started with apprenticeship in NS

General overview of apprenticeship and how it works, the benefits, a starting point with a link to more in-depth info to register to become an apprentice.

Nova Scotia Women in Trades Network Facebook Group

Get connected to the largest Nova Scotia Women in Trades FaceBook Network! You can share stories, rant or ask questions. Find out about job opportunities and more.

The Building Trades Advancement College of NS

For the trades. By the trades. The Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia (BTAC) provides hands-on training for the Industrial-Commercial-Institutional (ICI) building and construction industry.

Who to get started with

Indigenous Supports

The Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office (MEBO) delivers training programs for Mi’kmaq communities, and has worked with community members wishing to receive trades training with apprenticeship placements. MEBO works closely with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) with respect to the trades, particularly training and placement of apprentices.

APTEC is the employment and training division of the Native Council of Nova Scotia established to provide human resource development services to the rural, urban, off-reserve Mi’kmaq / Aboriginal Peoples of Nova Scotia. APTEC offers a range of employment and training services with the goal to obtain and maintain long-term sustainable employment.

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Native Employment Officers

Native Employment Officers (NEOs) are located on each band and are responsible for providing employment programs and services to their band members. They have a joint responsibility to both the band and the METS organization.

Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office Programs

MEBO offers resume and interview preparation workshops for communities at no cost. To learn more and how to access these services, please contact MEBO.

Learn More About Career Options

Training and Financial Supports

Want to learn more details about exactly what the different careers in trades are?

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Apprenticeship Tools Grant

New apprentices with fewer than 500 employer hours can now receive $1000 for essential tools, clothing, and PPE from NSAA.

NSAA Women in Trades Incentive

Newly registered women apprentices in 39 construction and manufacturing trades can now receive $750 for financial support from NSAA.

Job Junction

Access some great free resources to prepare for work or find new opportunities. Job Junction assists employees with reducing barriers and achieving success in their workplaces.

Automotive Sector Council Marketplace Training Hub

Enables automotive employers and owners to access training materials already developed to fit their needs. It gives Employers and owners free access to a library of up to date, industry specific, online training courses.

Tradeswoman Registration - Office to Advance Women Apprentices

Provides free services like supporting you with your job search, build a great resume, preparing you for interviews and helping you work through barriers to employment or job site issues. Registered tradeswomen also have access to mentors, networking events in your area, and more.

Building Trades Advancement College

Provides practical, hands-on training that builds confidence in tradespeople, and ensures a highly skilled, reliable, and sustainable building trades workforce in Nova Scotia.

NS Apprenticeship Financial Supports

Informs apprentices who are unaware of financial supports available - awards, grants, loans, etc. ENS financial assistance while in training, NSAAs AIG funding for level training, EI benefits, Government of Canada supports.

Learn More About Career Options

Find a Job

Thinking about your future career options? See what is available in skilled trades tailored especially to women youth and students.

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Motive Power Career Portal

Allows for connection between employers and job seekers. A network portal to identify talent and explore careers in the motive power industry. The portal helps job seekers discover qualities about themselves that help them shine beyond just their resume.

Opportunities in ICI Construction for Management and Office Staff

Learn about opportunities for full-time employment in ICI construction in an office or a management role. Helps connect you to an employer/union/contractor and/or make a referral on your behalf to potentially secure full-time employment.