Nova Scotia and Ontario Partner to Recognize International Credentials for Skilled Trades Professionals.
Nova Scotia and Ontario are working together to improve recognition of international credentials for skilled trades professionals.
The two provinces have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that details the collaboration, including Nova Scotia’s efforts to recognize international credentials and improve the flow of skilled labour.
“Nova Scotia is a growing province, and we need even more skilled trades professionals to build our homes, hospitals and infrastructure,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “We are excited to collaborate with the Province of Ontario to improve recognition of international credentials, remove barriers, share processes and lessons learned, and work together to improve labour supply in both provinces.”
The Ministers with copies of the memorandum of understanding between the two provinces. (Communications Nova Scotia)
Ensuring internationally educated trades professionals can have their credentials recognized quickly and efficiently is essential to addressing current labour market challenges and supporting the successful integration of newcomers.
The Province is investing $100,000 annually to support this work, which is part of the $100-million investment announced in October 2023 to recruit, retain and train more people in the skilled trades. The government is accelerating growth in the skilled trades and modernizing the apprenticeship and trades qualification system to meet the needs of a growing province.
Quotes:
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build the highways, hospitals and homes our growing communities need, which means we need to create more pathways for apprentices and journeypersons who will help us build Ontario. Building on the success of our MOU with the Government of Alberta last month, we’re excited to partner with Nova Scotia to remove interprovincial barriers for skilled tradespeople. We’re also exploring new opportunities with the Atlantic provinces. This will help fill in-demand jobs across both provinces and support our mutual goals of building stronger communities.”
— David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Province of Ontario
“We need more skilled trades professionals to help build our province, faster. Recognizing the experience and training of newcomers to the Province is a solid step in ensuring all international skilled trades professionals can work in Nova Scotia as soon as they arrive so they can build a life here. By partnering with Ontario, we can work together to ensure the process is quicker and more seamless for newcomers.”
— Kim Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Quick Facts:
- the MOU between Ontario and Nova Scotia will be reviewed in 18 months
- the MOU is not legally binding and does not require Nova Scotia to accept the methods used in Ontario
- the signing of the MOU does not indicate a change in Nova Scotia’s commitment to work with the other Atlantic provinces
Additional Resources:
News release – Actions to Accelerate Skilled Trades Growth: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/10/19/actions-accelerate-skilled-trades-growth
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: https://www.nsapprenticeship.ca/
Skilled Trades Ontario: https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/
News release (Province of Ontario) – Ontario and Alberta Partnering to Create More Opportunities for Internationally Trained Skilled Workers: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004810/ontario-and-alberta-partnering-to-create-more-opportunities-for-internationally-trained-skilled-workers
Source : Provincial Release
