FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2025
Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council Launches Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals Pilot to Expand Skilled Trades Workforce
Halifax, NS – The Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council (AHBRSC) is proud to announce the launch of the Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals Pilot (THCFF), a direct-entry program that will train, grow, and diversify Nova Scotia’s housing skilled trades workforce, with a specialized focus on finishing carpentry and mechanical systems.
In partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Cape Breton University, Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education, and the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association, this innovative pilot will build on the success of the original Tiny Home Construction Fundamentals program, expanding opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized individuals to enter in-demand skilled trades in the housing construction industry.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Housing and Workforce Needs
Nova Scotia’s housing crisis stems from multiple, interrelated challenges, including labour shortages in the skilled trades. Finishing trades, in particular, have been identified by employers as consistently difficult to source and critical to ensuring homes are move-in ready and energy-efficient.
“Building on the momentum of our first Tiny Home Construction Fundamentals pilot, THCFF focuses on the finishing stage- drywall, trim, cabinetry, fixtures, finish carpentry, and core mechanical systems,” says AHBRSC Executive Director, Michael Montgomery. “This training directly supports Nova Scotia’s commitment to modular and net-zero-ready housing by equipping participants with the essential finishing skills employers need right now.”
Hands-On, Community-Based Learning
Launching this summer in the Annapolis Valley, the 10-week, full-time microcredential will use three partially constructed tiny homes as live training sites, giving participants hands-on experience in real-world settings. Training sites will include Windsor Adult High School, Kings County Adult High School/Valley Community Learning Association, and Lawrencetown Education Centre.
Participants will gain practical finishing and mechanical skills, supported by industry-led curriculum, employability training, and key safety certifications such as WHMIS, Fall Arrest, and First Aid.
Impact and Outcomes
Delivered in partnership with community-based organizations, THCFF will provide training to cohorts of eight learners per session, helping increase construction capacity and housing readiness while opening pathways for populations traditionally underrepresented in the trades.
Key impacts include:
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Increased workforce capacity for small, modular, net-zero-ready homes
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Expanded access to sustainable housing for underserved communities
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Streamlined training aligned with employer needs and labour market gaps
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Reduced barriers to employment for individuals unattached to the workforce
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Support for energy-efficient housing that reduces environmental impact
“We’re thrilled to work alongside our provincial and community partners to deliver meaningful, industry-relevant training that supports housing readiness and economic opportunity,” says AHBRSC Operations & Project Development Manager, Jessica Ward. “Together, we’re helping Nova Scotians build stronger futures—one tiny home at a time.”
About AHBRSC
The Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council has a long history of collaborating with government, industry, and community to design and deliver accessible, inclusive training that meets the needs of Nova Scotia’s housing sector.
For more information about the Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals Pilot, please visit https://ahbrsc.com/tiny-home-construction-finishing-fundamentals/
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Emma Langenhoff
Communications & Marketing Lead
Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council
emma.langenhoff@ahbrsc.ca