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Source: news.ontario.ca

Do you live in Ontario and want to experience the east coast life while building a career in the skilled trades?

Or do you currently reside in Nova Scotia and want to try living in a bustling Ontario community like Toronto, Ottawa, or London?

Now, that transition is a lot easier thanks to the governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia joining forces. Their partnership, called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and announced in August 2024, will reduce the differences in regulatory requirements for working in either province – making it easier than ever before for tradespeople to move between the provinces.

The Need for Skilled Trades

Tradespeople form the backbone of vital industries like construction, manufacturing, and energy. Economic growth, infrastructure development, and the overall well-being of our communities depend on having ready access to these types of industries and skilled workers.

Unfortunately, both Ontario and Nova Scotia have been facing a serious shortage of skilled tradespeople, a problem exacerbated by the previous generation of trades workers moving into retirement.

That’s why the two provinces have stepped up their investment in the skilled trades. Their new collaboration is part of a proactive approach to fill gaps in the labour market by creating a more supportive environment for prospective and current tradespeople.

Advantages for Skilled Tradespeople

If you’re a skilled tradesperson – or looking to enter the trades via college – the Ontario-Nova Scotia partnership offers the following benefits:

1. Live and work in either province: A big obstacle for skilled tradespeople: the difficulty in moving between provinces due to varying certification requirements. This partnership will work towards matching these standards, making it easier for tradespeople to work in either province without needing to do more training and complete new certifications.
2. Better training: The two provinces are committed to enhancing the quality and accessibility of training programs. This includes the development of new programs that reflect the latest industry trends and technological advancements.
3. Support for apprenticeships: Apprenticeships are a vital pathway into the skilled trades, and this partnership will focus on expanding apprenticeship opportunities. This includes providing more placements, improving the apprenticeship experience, and offering financial incentives to both apprentices and employers. By strengthening this system, the provinces hope to attract more young people to consider careers in the trades.
4. Focus on diversity and inclusion: The partnership also emphasizes the importance of diversity in the trades. There’s a concerted effort to encourage underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers, to pursue careers in these fields. This not only addresses the labour shortage but also promotes a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

Benefits for Workers, Employers

The collaboration between Ontario and Nova Scotia is expected to help both businesses and tradespeople. For businesses, the increased availability of skilled tradespeople will help reduce project delays and drive revenue growth. For workers, the partnership offers greater job security, higher wages, and improved career prospects.

Furthermore, by investing in the skilled trades, these provinces are helping build a more resilient economy. Skilled workers are essential for maintaining and developing critical infrastructure, which in turn supports other sectors – such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

As the demand for skilled trades continues to grow, initiatives like this will benefit all Canadians by helping them access the kinds of vital services that skilled tradespeople provide. Overall, the partnership between Ontario and Nova Scotia is an important step towards a brighter future for the skilled trades and the people who work in them.

You can learn more about the Nova Scotia-Ontario MOU on the Government of Ontario website.