Trade Advisory Committees

The recommendation to establish a Logbook Sign-off and Skill Development Advisory Committee to address issues regarding the authentic sign off the apprentice’s logbook and skill development was approved by the Board on November 17, 2021. Recommendations for TAC members for the Logbook Sign-Off and Skill Development Advisory Committee were approved by the Board on March 25, 2022. Meetings commenced in May 2022.

• Apprentice Skill Development and Logbook Signoff Terms of Reference

This Trade Advisory Committee is on hold.

• Automobile Insurance Appraiser Terms of Reference

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Forestry Machine Operator TAC to review an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the November 2021 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in June 2022. The TAC proposed ‘Forestry Equipment Operator’ for the trade name. The TAC recommendation will be presented to the Board in February 2024.

• Forestry Equipment Operator Terms of Reference

• Hairstylist Terms of Reference

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Arborist TAC to review an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the April 2021 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2021. At the November 2023 Board meeting, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Arborist as a trade.

• Arborist Terms of Reference

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Architectural Sheet Metal Worker TAC to review an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the April 2020 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2020. The TAC proposed ‘Architectural Cladder’ for the trade name. At the November 2022 Board meeting, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Architectural Cladder as a trade.

• Architectural Cladder Terms of Reference

The Automotive Service Technician TAC was mandated by the Board to make recommendations regarding trade regulations as it pertained to the shared (crossover) work with the Truck and Transport Mechanic trade, to make recommendations on enhancing participation and improving the overall trade profile.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Barber TAC to review an application to designate Barber as a trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the June 2020 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in October 2020. At the June 2022 Board meeting, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards trade designation. NSAA and Labour, Skills and Immigration are working with Nova Scotia Registered Barbers Association regarding possible next steps.

• Barber Terms of Reference

The recommendation to establish a Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board on June 17, 2020. Recommendations for TAC members for the Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC were approved by the Board as of October 6, 2020. Meetings commenced in Fall 2020.

• Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator Terms of Reference

The Bricklayer TAC was mandated by the Board to review the current trade regulatory provisions and the NSCC Pre-apprenticeship program as well as enhance trade participation and the brand image.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

The mandate of the TAC evolved over the years, but its original focus was to review and make recommendations to the Board on an application to specify the trade as compulsory certified, as submitted by the Professional Carpenter’s Guild of Nova Scotia.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Construction Electrician (CE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the CE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

The Apprenticeship Board approved a revised Terms of Reference and Membership on the Cook TAC to expand its mandate to designate the Institutional Cook trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the April 2021 Board meeting. In March 2022, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Institutional Cook as a trade.

• Cook Terms of Reference

• Elevating Device Mechanic Terms of Reference

The recommendation to establish a Farm Technician TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board, in Fall of 2018. Meetings commenced in January 2019.

• Farm Technician Terms of Reference
• Update, November 25, 2019

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Heavy Equipment Operator TAC to make recommendations on the redevelopment of the pre-apprenticeship program for Heavy Equipment Operator as well as the creation of an apprenticeship pathway at the February 2021 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Spring 2021. In Fall 2022, a recommendation to develop a training pathway for the Heavy Equipment Operator trade was submitted to the NSAA Senior Leadership Team which was accepted. A logbook was developed and validated by the TAC and a curriculum standard was drafted.

• Heavy Equipment Operator Terms of Reference

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Industrial Coatings Applicator TAC to review an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the November 2021 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in June 2022. At the November 2023 Board meeting, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Industrial Coatings Applicator as a trade.

• Industrial Coatings Applicator Terms of Reference

A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Industrial Electrician (IE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the IE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Insulator (Heat and Frost) TAC to review an application for compulsory certification of the Insulator trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the November 2020 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in June 2021. At the November 2023 Board meeting, the TAC Chair presented TAC recommendations to the Apprenticeship Board which concluded the work of the TAC. The Board deferred making a decision on compulsory certification until the February 2024 Board meeting.

• Insulator (Heat and Frost) Terms of Reference

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Machinist TAC to review the NSCC Machinist Program at the June 2019 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2019. In May 2021, the Apprenticeship Board approved NSCC’s proposal (via TAC discussions) on the Machinist Program.

• Machinist Terms of Reference

NSAA Board was asked to work with Kameron Coal (Donkin Mine), industry members and regulatory bodies in the safe re-activation of the Mine Electrician trade.  As a result, the NSAA Board approved the establishment of a TAC on June 15, 2016.

Due to inactivity at the Mine, this TAC is on hold indefinitely.

• Final Report

Outcome: The Apprenticeship Board accepted the recommendation of the NDT Trade Advisory Committee, at the April 19, 2023 Board meeting, to not designate Non-Destructive Tester as a trade.

Background: The recommendation to establish a Non-Destructive Tester TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board on June 17, 2020.

• Non-Destructive Tester Terms of Reference

The mandate for the Plumber TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Plumber trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Plumber.

The work of this TAC has been concluded.

• Final Report

The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Residential HVAC Installer TAC to review an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the February 2022 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2022. At the September 2023 Board meeting, the Apprenticeship Board approved the TAC’s recommendation to not designate Residential HVAC Installer as a new trade. Opportunities will be identified to work within the current Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (RACM) trade to assist in building capacity for technicians to complete the residential work demand and support quality installations.

• Residential HVAC Installer Terms of Reference

The mandate for the Steamfitter/Pipefitter TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Steamfitter/Pipefitter trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Steamfitter/Pipefitter.

The work of this TACs has been concluded.

• Final Report

Overview

The Apprenticeship Board of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency looks for employers and employees who are knowledgeable about the trades, who understand the labour market and who can commit to attending a number of meetings over a one to two year period. Expenses are reimbursed and members are compensated for meetings attended.

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) Board will invite applications for members of Atlantic Trade Advisory Committees (ATACs) through advertisements.

Auto Body and Collision Technician Terms of Reference

Insulator (Heat and Frost) Terms of Reference

Powerline Technician Terms of Reference

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Terms of Reference

Sheet Metal Worker Terms of Reference