Trades Training
Mainland Nova Scotia’s Building Trades unions are among the largest sources of privately-funded skills trades training in the region. In fact, our affiliated locals have been conducting training for decades. Construction activity in the province is at an all-time high and Nova Scotia is facing an urgent demand for large numbers of skilled trades workers. To respond to this need, our unions have consolidated training centres, creating the Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia, or BTAC, to promote access to skilled trades training and careers.
Some unions operate Private Career Colleges offering standardized curriculum for apprentices and skills upgrading, while others have Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATCs) that administer apprenticeship programs and operate training centres funded by industry through Training Trust Funds. These programs are privately-funded through contributions from the workers and our affiliated contractors. The training institutions are acknowledged as centres of excellence across Canada.
Helpful Links
Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia (BTAC)
IBEW – Local 625 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Operating Engineers Training Institute of Nova Scotia
Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers (Cape Breton Island)
UA Local 56 Training Centre (Canadian Piping Trades)
Did you know?
The Canadian Building Trades are the largest provider of private sector training in Canada with over 195 state-of-the-art Training Centres across the country, and an annual investment of $300 million.
Trade unions in Nova Scotia invest more than $7 million in training annually.
There are over 3000 apprentices in Nova Scotia’s Building Trades.
