Current Provincial Trade Advisory Committees
Trade Advisory Committees (TACs) are PROVINCIAL ad-hoc advisory committees established by the Apprenticeship Board in accordance with the Operating Charter of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. TACs advise the Board concerning policy, regulations and other matters specific to a trade(s), or on any matter assigned to the TACs relating to the apprenticeship and trades qualifications system.
The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Insulator (Heat and Frost) TAC to review an application for compulsory certification of the Insulator trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the November 2020 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in June 2021. At the November 2023 Board meeting, the TAC Chair presented TAC recommendations to the Apprenticeship Board; a decision was deferred until the February 2024 Board meeting. At that time, the Board asked for additional consultation. In August of 2025, the TAC presented the Board with options for designation. An electronic vote was conducted, and the decision was brought to the Deputy Minister for review.
| Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Matthew Benson | Insulators Union, Local 116 |
| Patrick Murphy | Pro Insul Limited |
| Kent Hayley | CanPro Insulation |
| Dwaine MacDonald | Trinity Energy Group |
| Michael MacDonald | MacKinnon and Olding Ltd. |
| Carl Zinck | Zinck Mechanical Insulation |
The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of an Insulator (Heat and Frost) TAC to review an application for compulsory certification of the Insulator trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the November 2020 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in June 2021. At the November 2023 Board meeting, the TAC Chair presented TAC recommendations to the Apprenticeship Board; a decision was deferred until the February 2024 Board meeting. At that time, the Board asked for additional consultation. In August of 2025, the TAC presented the Board with options for designation. An electronic vote was conducted, and the decision was brought to the Deputy Minister for review.
| Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Matthew Benson | Insulators Union, Local 116 |
| Patrick Murphy | Pro Insul Limited |
| Kent Hayley | CanPro Insulation |
| Dwaine MacDonald | Trinity Energy Group |
| Michael MacDonald | MacKinnon and Olding Ltd. |
| Carl Zinck | Zinck Mechanical Insulation |
The Solar Photovoltaic Installation Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) is responsible for advising the Board by providing recommendations and supporting rationale on matters assigned to it. The TAC is expected to consult with employers, employees, and unions on trade-specific issues and may be tasked with developing a work plan that outlines deliverables and timelines for Board approval. Additionally, the TAC will assist the Board in determining whether disputed work falls under the definition of electrical installation, fits within the scope of a construction electrician, and provide guidance on other issues as directed by the Board.
Submit Application Please submit your application to participate in this Trade Advisory Committee.
The Solar Photovoltaic Installation Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) is responsible for advising the Board by providing recommendations and supporting rationale on matters assigned to it. The TAC is expected to consult with employers, employees, and unions on trade-specific issues and may be tasked with developing a work plan that outlines deliverables and timelines for Board approval. Additionally, the TAC will assist the Board in determining whether disputed work falls under the definition of electrical installation, fits within the scope of a construction electrician, and provide guidance on other issues as directed by the Board.
Submit Application Please submit your application to participate in this Trade Advisory Committee.
Completed Provincial Trade Advisory Committees
The Apprentice Skill Development and Logbook Signoff has completed its mandate to provide recommendations for authentic logbook skill signoff and issues related to scope of trade.
The Apprentice Skill Development and Logbook Signoff has completed its mandate to provide recommendations for authentic logbook skill signoff and issues related to scope of trade.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The Automobile Insurance Appraiser TAC is no longer active.
The Automobile Insurance Appraiser TAC is no longer active.
The Automotive Service Technician TAC was mandated by the Board to make recommendations regarding trade regulations as it pertained to the shared (crossover) work with the Truck and Transport Mechanic trade, to make recommendations on enhancing participation and improving the overall trade profile.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The Automotive Service Technician TAC was mandated by the Board to make recommendations regarding trade regulations as it pertained to the shared (crossover) work with the Truck and Transport Mechanic trade, to make recommendations on enhancing participation and improving the overall trade profile.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee has concluded.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee has concluded.
The recommendation to establish a Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board on June 17, 2020. Recommendations for TAC members for the Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC were approved by the Board as of October 6, 2020. Meetings commenced in Fall 2020.
The recommendation to establish a Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board on June 17, 2020. Recommendations for TAC members for the Black Beauty Culture Hair Innovator TAC were approved by the Board as of October 6, 2020. Meetings commenced in Fall 2020.
The Bricklayer TAC was mandated by the Board to review the current trade regulatory provisions and the NSCC Pre-apprenticeship program as well as enhance trade participation and the brand image.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The Bricklayer TAC was mandated by the Board to review the current trade regulatory provisions and the NSCC Pre-apprenticeship program as well as enhance trade participation and the brand image.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The mandate of the TAC evolved over the years, but its original focus was to review and make recommendations to the Board on an application to specify the trade as compulsory certified, as submitted by the Professional Carpenter’s Guild of Nova Scotia.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The mandate of the TAC evolved over the years, but its original focus was to review and make recommendations to the Board on an application to specify the trade as compulsory certified, as submitted by the Professional Carpenter’s Guild of Nova Scotia.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Construction Electrician (CE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the CE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Construction Electrician (CE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the CE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The Apprenticeship Board approved a revised Terms of Reference and Membership on the Cook TAC to expand its mandate to designate the Institutional Cook trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the April 2021 Board meeting. In March 2022, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Institutional Cook as a trade.
| Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Alan Crosby (Chair) | White Point Beach Resort |
| Admond Evong | Member-at-Large |
| Cheryl Gaudet | Nova Scotia Health Authority |
| Caitlin Kettley | Shannex |
| Julie Marks | Italian Market |
| Tammy Morrison | Seaview Manor |
| Keith O'Brien | Offshore Catering |
| Daniel Orovec | Atlantica Hotel |
| Charmaine Roma | Halifax Convention Centre |
The Apprenticeship Board approved a revised Terms of Reference and Membership on the Cook TAC to expand its mandate to designate the Institutional Cook trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act at the April 2021 Board meeting. In March 2022, the Apprenticeship Board approved moving forward towards designating Institutional Cook as a trade.
| Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Alan Crosby (Chair) | White Point Beach Resort |
| Admond Evong | Member-at-Large |
| Cheryl Gaudet | Nova Scotia Health Authority |
| Caitlin Kettley | Shannex |
| Julie Marks | Italian Market |
| Tammy Morrison | Seaview Manor |
| Keith O'Brien | Offshore Catering |
| Daniel Orovec | Atlantica Hotel |
| Charmaine Roma | Halifax Convention Centre |
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The recommendation to establish a Farm Technician TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board, in Fall of 2018. Meetings commenced in January 2019.
The recommendation to establish a Farm Technician TAC to consider an application to designate the trade under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act was approved by the Board, in Fall of 2018. Meetings commenced in January 2019.
The Forestry Equipment Operator TAC has completed its work and recommended the designation of two provincial trades: Forest Equipment Operator – Forwarder and Forest Equipment Operator - Harvestor
The Forestry Equipment Operator TAC has completed its work and recommended the designation of two provincial trades: Forest Equipment Operator – Forwarder and Forest Equipment Operator - Harvestor
The Hairstylist TAC is no longer active.
The Hairstylist TAC is no longer active.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Industrial Electrician (IE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the IE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
A Trade Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Industrial Electrician (IE) trade met first on December 15, 2015. The mandate for the IE TAC focused discussions and recommendations on the following: trade regulations as pertaining to cross-over work, trade participation, trade profiles, labour market information and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Machinist TAC to review the NSCC Machinist Program at the June 2019 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2019. In May 2021, the Apprenticeship Board approved NSCC’s proposal (via TAC discussions) on the Machinist Program.
The Apprenticeship Board approved the establishment of a Machinist TAC to review the NSCC Machinist Program at the June 2019 Board meeting. TAC members were subsequently approved and began meeting in Fall 2019. In May 2021, the Apprenticeship Board approved NSCC’s proposal (via TAC discussions) on the Machinist Program.
NSAA Board was asked to work with Kameron Coal (Donkin Mine), industry members and regulatory bodies in the safe re-activation of the Mine Electrician trade. As a result, the NSAA Board approved the establishment of a TAC on June 15, 2016.
Due to inactivity at the Mine, this TAC is on hold indefinitely.
NSAA Board was asked to work with Kameron Coal (Donkin Mine), industry members and regulatory bodies in the safe re-activation of the Mine Electrician trade. As a result, the NSAA Board approved the establishment of a TAC on June 15, 2016.
Due to inactivity at the Mine, this TAC is on hold indefinitely.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The mandate for the Plumber TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Plumber trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Plumber.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The mandate for the Plumber TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Plumber trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Plumber.
The work of this TAC has been concluded.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The work of this Trade Advisory Committee is complete.
The mandate for the Steamfitter/Pipefitter TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Steamfitter/Pipefitter trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Steamfitter/Pipefitter.
The work of this TACs has been concluded.
The mandate for the Steamfitter/Pipefitter TAC was to advise and make recommendations on enhancing employer, journeyperson and apprentice participation in the Steamfitter/Pipefitter trade. Trade regulation and NSCC/NSAA program reviews were also part of the mandate as was improving the trade profiles for Steamfitter/Pipefitter.
The work of this TACs has been concluded.
Atlantic Trade Advisory Committees
Atlantic Trade Advisory Committees (ATACs), consisting of industry and training representatives, have been, and continue to be, active in supporting the work of the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Project. Trade-specific ATACs have been formed in several trades to support the development and implementation of harmonized Atlantic Apprenticeship programs, including the development of Atlantic apprenticeship curriculum standards, Atlantic exam banks and Atlantic bilingual apprentice logbooks.
Overview
The Apprenticeship Board of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency looks for employers and employees who are knowledgeable about the trades, who understand the labour market and who can commit to attending a number of meetings over a one to two year period. Expenses are reimbursed and members are compensated for meetings attended.
The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) Board will invite applications for members of Atlantic Trade Advisory Committees (ATACs) through advertisements.
Overview
The Apprenticeship Board of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency looks for employers and employees who are knowledgeable about the trades, who understand the labour market and who can commit to attending a number of meetings over a one to two year period. Expenses are reimbursed and members are compensated for meetings attended.
The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) Board will invite applications for members of Atlantic Trade Advisory Committees (ATACs) through advertisements.