June Newsletter

Trade Up: Help Us Connect Youth to Skilled Trades Opportunities This Summer

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, in partnership with the Housing Construction Council, is launching FREE Skilled Trades Camps for youth ages 11–15 and is seeking community partners to help spread the word and connect interested participants to available camp seats.

These one-week camps provide youth with hands-on exposure to Carpentry, while learning valuable workplace safety skills and exploring future career pathways.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience activities related to:

Construction
Culinary
Automotive

Locations:

Horton High School, Greenwich: July 6–10, 2026
Middleton Regional High School: July 13–17, 2026
Riverview High School, Sydney: July 6–10, 2026
Cabot High School, Neil's Harbour: July 13–17, 2026
Strait Area Education & Recreation Centre: July 20–24, 2026
Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School, Antigonish: July 27–31, 2026

Help Us connect to Youth Here

Summer Job Opportunities - Skilled Trades Camp

The Housing Construction Council is hiring for Red Seal Instructors, youth ambassadors, and chaperones for our upcoming Skilled Trades camps.

Read our blog to read more about each position, and how to apply!

Industry Professionals Needed: Take Our Surveys

Share Your Expertise and Receive a $50 Honorarium!

Are you an experienced housing construction professional? We are looking for Framers, Window and Door Installers, Siding Installers, and From Workers to help validate competencies for several occupations as part of the Home Construction Competency Framework.

Participants who complete a survey will receive a $50 honorarium.

Take Our Surveys!

Housing Construction Programs News & Events

Sydney- Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals (THCFF) Graduation

Date: July 3, 2026

Location: 90 Military Road, Sydney, NS

Time: 2 - 4pm

Save The Date!

Success!! MHCF & THCFF Graduation Ceremony - Lawrencetown

On May 29, the Housing Construction Council celebrated the graduation of 19 learners from the Modular Housing Construction Fundamentals (MHCF) and Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals (THCFF) programs in Lawrencetown.

The event brought together graduates, families, industry partners, and supporters to recognize the skills, microcredentials, and hands-on experience participants gained throughout their training journey.

Read Blog Post

Completed Training Program Homes Delivered to West Dalhousie

Just days after graduation, the first three homes built by participants in the MHCF and THCFF programs were delivered from Lawrencetown to the community of West Dalhousie. The home deliveries marked an exciting milestone for graduates and demonstrated the real-world impact of the skills developed throughout the programs.

Read Blog Post

In the News

The Housing Construction Council's Modular Housing Construction Fundamentals program was recently featured by CBC Nova Scotia following the delivery of the first homes built by program participants in Lawrencetown.

The story highlights the impact of the program, the dedication of its graduates, and the collaborative effort that helped bring these homes to their new community.

Read the Story Here!

Rebuilding Hope - Fundraiser Campaign

We’re proud to share the Rebuilding Hope campaign organized by the Rotary Interact in support of families displaced by the West Dalhousie wildfires. Funds raised will help provide materials for tiny homes being built by local students to support community recovery efforts.

Donate Now

Meet Mare: A THCFF Success Story

Read our latest Career Spotlight featuring Mare, a participant in the Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals Program. Learn how confidence, perseverance, and support helped her discover new opportunities and build a path toward a future in the skilled trades.

Read Mare's Career Spotlight

Community News & Events

Construction Safety Nova Scotia- Excavation and Trenching Training

Construction Safety Nova Scotia is offering upcoming Excavation and Trenching Training sessions across the province. This training provides participants with important knowledge on excavation hazards, trench safety, and best practices for safe worksite operations.

Upcoming Dates:

June 25, 2026 – Truro
June 26, 2026 – Dartmouth
July 28, 2026 – Sydney
July 29, 2026 – Dartmouth

Individuals and teams can register through Construction Safety Nova Scotia's Safety Net platform or online course registration system.

Safety Net Registration

Course Registration

Celebrating Indigenous Leadership, Culture, and Community

Sunday, June 21st, we celebrated the stories, cultures, leadership, and entrepreneurship of Indigenous Peoples across our region.

We're proud to spotlight just a few of the incredible Indigenous-owned businesses, organizations, and communities that are making a difference every day. Their innovation, resilience, and contributions help strengthen our economy and enrich our communities.

Balsam: Reconciliation Advisory & Training

Indigenous Advisory & Inclusion Services

Millbrook First Nation

Sipekne'katik First Nation

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

ISANS Annual General Meeting 2026

The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) invites community members to attend its 2026 Annual General Meeting.

This year's theme, "Together We Grow," highlights the importance of supporting newcomers, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities through partnership, inclusion, and shared responsibility.

Date: June 24, 2026

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Online via Microsoft Teams

YMCA Intermediate Workplace First Aid & CPR-C Training

The YMCA is offering an Intermediate Workplace First Aid & CPR-C course designed to help participants gain the knowledge and certification needed to respond confidently to workplace and emergency situations.

Participants will receive hands-on training covering first aid procedures, CPR, and emergency response techniques.

Dates: June 27–28, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days)

Location: John W. Lindsay YMCA

For more information and registration details, visit the YMCA Halifax Dartmouth website.

No. 2 Construction Battalion Recognition Ceremony & Honour Parade

The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia invites community members to attend the annual No. 2 Construction Battalion Recognition Ceremony and Honour Parade.

The parade will begin on the Pictou waterfront, followed by a recognition ceremony at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 105 Coleraine Street, Pictou, Nova Scotia

The organizers are also assessing interest in shuttle bus transportation to and from the event. Individuals interested in this service can complete the following form:

https://forms.office.com/r/RUtJ871GLy

Career Opportunities – Prestige Homes

Prestige Homes is currently hiring for a variety of positions within the housing construction sector. Opportunities are currently available for Carpenters & Apprentices, Skilled Trades Professionals, and Drywall Finishers / Crack Fillers.

Compensation:

Carpenters & Apprentices: $27–$40/hour
Skilled Trades Professionals: $25–$40/hour
Drywall Finishers / Crack Fillers: Four-day work week available

All positions offer consistent hours, extended health and dental benefits, and a company-matching pension plan.

Interested applicants can learn more about current opportunities through Prestige Homes' careers page and social media channels.

Riders United: Breaking the Silence

On July 10, Riders United: Breaking the Silence will bring together motorcyclists across Nova Scotia to raise awareness about domestic violence and support those impacted by it.

With rides taking place in Halifax, the Annapolis Valley, and Amherst, the event aims to honour lives lost, support survivors, and promote a future free from violence. Proceeds from the ride will support Shelter Movers, an organization that helps individuals and families safely leave abusive situations.

We encourage our members and partners to learn more about this important initiative and consider supporting the event.

Learn more here!

Industry News

CHBA Celebrates 2026 Association Leadership Award Recipients

The Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) recently recognized outstanding volunteer leaders, Home Builders' Associations, and Executive Officers from across the country during Home Building Week in Canada in Québec City.

We are pleased to share that Crystal Ingram, Executive Officer of CHBA Nova Scotia, was named Executive Officer of the Year – Small HBA. This national award recognizes her leadership, dedication to advocacy, member engagement, industry collaboration, and contributions to the continued growth and success of CHBA Nova Scotia.

Other 2026 award recipients included Jared Zaifman (Executive Officer of the Year – Large HBA), Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HBA of the Year – Large), Grand Highlands HBA (HBA of the Year – Small), CHBA Central Interior (Community Service Award), Reza Kamrani (Rooftopper Membership Recruitment Champion), and Sue Wastell (Member of the Year).

Congratulations to Crystal and all of this year's award recipients on their well-deserved recognition and contributions to Canada's housing construction industry.

Building the workforce needed to deliver more homes in Halifax - News Release

Read Here

HCC Community Engagement:

Building Connections Across Nova Scotia

This month, our Community Engagement Coordinator has been actively connecting with industry partners, educators, students, and job seekers across Nova Scotia to promote careers in the skilled trades and strengthen workforce development efforts.

We were pleased to attend several industry events, including the CSNS Member Mixer, Safety 1st Conference, Cape Breton Partnership Job Fair, CSNS AGM, and NSNPHA Education Day. These events provided valuable opportunities to engage with employers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders about the future of the skilled trades sector.

We also continued our outreach in schools, delivering presentations to students at Inverness Education Centre-Academy, Oceanview Education Centre, Memorial High School, and Glace Bay High School. Through these sessions, we shared information about skilled trades career pathways, training opportunities, and the rewarding careers available throughout the industry.

Thank you to all the organizations, educators, and students who welcomed us this month. We look forward to continuing these conversations and helping connect more Nova Scotians with opportunities in the skilled trades.