Building Trades Advancement College of Nova Scotia

A look at some of the feats today at the inaugural Ironworkers District Council of Eastern Canada Apprenticeship Competition. Hosted by Local 752, BTAC was honoured to welcome competitors representing NS, NB, NL, & Quebec. Wow - great work everyone! 💪🤩👏

The inaugural Ironworkers District Council of Eastern Canada Apprenticeship Competition is set for June 19. Hosted by Local 752, top apprentices in the Ironworker trade will showcase their skill and agility in demanding events like welding, rebar tying, and column climbing.

Spectators welcome to competition events starting at 9:15am.

Apply by this THURSDAY JUNE 18 at 3pm to be in the running for this Intro to Construction Craft Worker program. A free 14-week training course that sets you up for a new career in the skilled construction trades. 🪏

A heads-up for women apprentices in Red Seal construction or manufacturing trades. 👇

Did you know? Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency has two new funding opportunities plus existing grants for women apprentices.

Women in Trades Gear Up Grant: $750 for essentials like work clothes, tools, safety gear, & PPE.

Attend the 2026 Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Conference: Random draw for 5 fully funded spots to attend this event in Whistler, BC on Oct 4-6. Contest deadline is midnight June 18.

Accessibility Support for Women in Trades: One-time grant to purchase assistive tech like tablets, laptops, text-to-speech software, & smart pens.

Emergency & Opportunity Fund for Women Apprentices: Financial support for unexpected situations or opportunities outside your regular training.

Get details and apply at https://www.nsapprenticeship.ca/

Local 116 keeping up the good work. A glimpse of some of the experiential learning happening at BTAC these days.

Know a student in grades 7-9 who digs hands-on learning and problem solving? This free, week-long summer day camp will give youth a chance to try their hand at the skilled construction trades in a fun, safe, and real way. 🧰🛠️🦺

Registration is now open!

The NSCSC's Skilled Trades Camp, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the Province of Nova Scotia, is back for 2026, giving youth in Grades 7–9 the opportunity to explore skilled trades through hands-on activities, industry-led workshops, team challenges, and more.

📅 July 13–17, 2026
📍 10 Ragged Lake Blvd., Halifax
💲 Free to attend

Spaces are limited, so register today!

Visit nscsc.ca/register

Applications for this Intro to Boilermaker program due THURSDAY JUNE 4 by 3pm. If welding and cross-Canada travel interests you, then opportunity is knocking. It’s 9 weeks that prepares you to enter this dynamic trade and start your apprenticeship journey. 👨‍🏭👩‍🏭

No.12… last but not least in our Trades Days series had Halifax area grade 12 students on the road to Truro to check out the Boilermakers Local 73 training centre. It was a hands-on intro to the three core skills of this trade: welding, fitting, and rigging.

What’s a boilermaker? These highly-skilled trades professionals work on pressure vessels related to big industry. They construct, install, maintain, and repair boilers, storage tanks, furnaces, towers, heaters, exchangers, stacks, ductwork, structural steel, and more. You’ll find boilermakers on the job in fabrication and manufacturing facilities, construction sites, shipbuilding facilities, electrical generating stations, and oil refineries, for example.

Applications are being accepted until June 4 for a 9-week Intro to Boilermaker program. It’s the best way to get into this skilled trade.
www.btacns.com/ondemand

The multifaceted world of carpentry was Trades Day no.11 for a new group of grade 12 students. We visited our Carpenter Millwright College - CMC Nova Scotia campus to kick up some sawdust and show off our top shelf skills.🥇

Thanks to instructor Tim and everyone at the CMC for sharing insights into this high-demand trade.
🪚🧰🔨

Trades Day no.10 had grade 12 students outside learning about the roof over their heads. The roofing trade is a vital part of the Institutional-Commercial-Industrial construction industry. Thanks to Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 409’s Troy, George, and Randall for today’s intro to the technologies and installation methods and for explaining the apprenticeship pathway for this Red Seal trade.

The torch was fun too! 🔥