A new workforce training initiative in Nova Scotia has produced 11 entry-level sheet metal workers, providing employers with additional safety-trained talent as construction activity expands across the province. The program was developed through a partnership involving the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, provincial agencies, an industry committee and SMART Canada.
Funded through the Construction Industry Supports program, the Enhanced Direct Entry initiative provided participants with a 13-week introduction to sheet metal work. The program was supported by a $10 million provincial investment announced in late 2025 to strengthen construction workforce development.
Training combined classroom instruction with practical shop and field experience. Participants also completed safety certifications designed to prepare them for employment in the skilled trades.
The program received 87 applications and offered 12 seats. Eleven participants completed the training.
Each graduate completed a two-week work placement with one of seven contractors, giving participants direct exposure to workplace conditions and sheet metal operations.
The program also connected graduates with employers and SMART Local 409 in Halifax. Six of the 11 graduates obtained employment immediately following the program, creating a direct transition from introductory training into the construction workforce.
The graduating group included two African Nova Scotians, two people with disabilities, two women, four newcomers, one participant who did not identify with an equity group and one participant with a family connection to a veteran.
SMART Local 409 is expected to contribute significantly to the QEII hospital expansion project in Halifax, which is anticipated to require more than 100 sheet metal workers. The training initiative provides a pathway for new workers to enter the trade and potentially support large-scale construction activity in the province.
The program also demonstrates how direct-entry training can combine skills development, safety preparation and employer placements to address skilled labor requirements.
Construction workforce shortages can affect project staffing and delivery capacity, particularly on major healthcare and infrastructure developments. By moving participants from introductory training into employer placements and immediate employment, the Nova Scotia initiative creates a direct pipeline into the sheet metal trade while supporting the province's broader construction workforce needs.
Source: Smart.
