Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) was established on July 1, 2014 as an agent of the Crown. The Agency is operated under the authority of the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act, the Operating Charter and the General Regulations, and is authorized to manage the trades training and certification system in Nova Scotia. The Agency is composed of the Apprenticeship Board, committees, including Trade Advisory Committees, the staff of the Agency and the Chief Executive Officer. The staff are responsible for the daily operations of the Agency, and an industry-led agency board.
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Overview
- The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: engages Nova Scotia employers and industry;
- designates trades for apprenticeship training and certification;
- registers and monitors apprenticeship agreements;
- assesses, counsels and certifies apprentices and skilled tradespersons;
- sets standards for apprenticeship technical and workplace training;
- recognizes credentials and supports labour mobility issues;
- regulates and enforces trades designated under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act; and
- participates in the national Red Seal program and jurisdictional initiatives.
- Business/Strategic Planning Committee
- Agency Governance and Systems Committee
- Stakeholder Relations and Communications Committee
The Agency is responsible, under the Operating Charter, for stewarding and operating a relevant, accessible and responsive industry-led trades training and certification system, and for improving access to and participation in the system by Aboriginal persons, African Nova Scotians, differently-abled persons, immigrants, women and members of other under-represented groups.
Employers and industry have generously given of their time and expertise in leading the implementation of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. Throughout the process, our industry partners have provided input, feedback and leadership during consultations and briefings. For more information about the implementation team members, discussion paper and industry updates, please see the Implementation Team section below.
- Minister’s Advisory Panel on Apprenticeship: Reference Group’s Report on Employer Engagement in Apprenticeship
- Discussion Paper About the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. Government announced the move to establish an agency for apprenticeship in July 2013. Changes to the current system are being made to better support industry needs and to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the province. Nova Scotians have been invited to weigh in on the province’s Apprenticeship Agency. While official submissions for the Apprenticeship Agency Discussion Paper are now closed, Apprenticeship welcomes your feedback at any time on any issue that is relevant to apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeship Agency Implementation Team
In July 2013, an implementation team was formed with the mandate to implement the industry-led special operating agency. The team consists of industry members, and is supported by the Deputy Minister responsible for the Agency. It also consists of four sub-committees:
- Work Plan Committee
- Business/Strategic Planning Committee
- Agency Governance and Systems Committee
- Stakeholder Relations and Communications Committee
Implementation Team - Industry members:
- Carol MacCulloch, Elmsdale Landscaping
- Scott Blakeney, Blaikies Dodge, Atlantic Dodge, Atlantic Collision
- Heather Cruickshank, LE Cruickshanks Sheet Metal & Merit Contractors Association of NS
- Tom Griffiths, IBEW Local 625
- Rhonda Marks, Techtronics Machine Works Limited
- Alex Paul, Mikmaq Economic Benefits Office
- Rosalind Penfound, NSCC
- Jack Wall, N.S. Apprenticeship Board