The AHBRSC participated in an industry briefing session today with Minister Kelly Regan and senior staff of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education concerning proposed changes to the apprenticeship system in Nova Scotia. The proposed changes, outlined in a January 2014 discussion paper, include the establishment of a new industry-led and industry-driven apprenticeship agency.
AHBRSC Executive Director, Michael Montgomery noted that “our industry employs more than 20% of all Nova Scotia apprentices across more than a dozen construction trades. He described the proposed changes as “a rare and critical opportunity to enhance apprenticeship as a means for knowledge and skill transfer in the Nova Scotia economy” He cautioned however that, “it is critical that the residential construction sector be represented on the agency’s board of directors and the relevant trade committees.”