Mentoring for Skill Development
Mentoring plays a critical role in the apprenticeship system and serves as the cornerstone for skill development. To help build capacity and support the effective transfer of knowledge, skills, and behaviours from journeypersons to apprentices, a range of targeted educational training, tools, and resources are available to both journey persons and apprentices. 
Mentoring Units of Study
Mentoring curriculum and content for apprenticeship technical training has been harmonized across all Atlantic provinces, ensuring consistent delivery of content for each of the six-hour units of study (MENT-700/MENT-701). Curriculum Standards for each trade and corresponding mentoring learning outcomes and objectives are located at Trades in Nova Scotia.
In this level 1 unit, apprentices will gain confidence and take ownership of their learning by:
- Expanding their knowledge of the apprenticeship system
- Recognizing their learning preferences
- Identifying learning strategies to address their unique needs
- Enhancing their awareness of self advocacy and adaptability
- Strengthening their communication skills
In this level 1 unit, apprentices will gain confidence and take ownership of their learning by:
- Expanding their knowledge of the apprenticeship system
- Recognizing their learning preferences
- Identifying learning strategies to address their unique needs
- Enhancing their awareness of self advocacy and adaptability
- Strengthening their communication skills
In this final level unit, apprentices will be prepared to excel as effective and inclusive journeyperson mentors by:
- Gaining a clear understanding of their role as journeyperson mentor
- Enhancing their knowledge of how to teach trade-specific skills
- Learning to adapt lessons to different situations and needs
- Developing strong and effective communication techniques
- Identifying strategies to foster supportive and inclusive learning environments
In this final level unit, apprentices will be prepared to excel as effective and inclusive journeyperson mentors by:
- Gaining a clear understanding of their role as journeyperson mentor
- Enhancing their knowledge of how to teach trade-specific skills
- Learning to adapt lessons to different situations and needs
- Developing strong and effective communication techniques
- Identifying strategies to foster supportive and inclusive learning environments
Digital Badges
Digital Badges are visual, shareable and verifiable records that signify the achievement of specific skills. Apprentices who complete the Mentoring I and Mentoring II units of study will automatically receive these badges, enabling them to highlight their expertise and share their accomplishments across social media and professional networks.
Mentoring Training
Introduction to Mentorship is an industry-aligned mentoring resource designed to empower journeyperson mentors by enhancing their confidence as workplace trainers and strengthening mentor-mentee relationships. The 90-minute online, self-directed course equips journeypersons with essential tools for effectively transferring knowledge and skills to apprentices and includes six related Toolbox Talks. Check out the FAQ.
Offered at no cost to certified journeypersons in Nova Scotia, this course is made possible through a partnership between the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and SkillPlan. To access the course, please complete the Application Form.
Note: This course meets the mentoring training requirement for the Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program.
Mentoring Award
To acknowledge the vital role of journeypersons in the apprenticeship system, a Mentoring Award has been introduced. This annual award recognizes certified journeypersons who have shown exceptional dedication to mentoring apprentices and supporting their development and growth. To learn more about past award recipients, visit the Awards of Excellence.
Contact Information
For more information about mentoring for skill development resources and initiatives, contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency:
- apprenticeship@novascotia.ca
- Halifax Office: 902-424-5651
- Toll Free (NS): 1-800-494-5651