2023 Annual Industry Meeting and Awards Breakfast

  • November 2, 2023
  • 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites, 15 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth, NS
 

Modernization in Action

Skilled trades and technology are at the forefront of Nova Scotia’s growing economy. An innovative apprenticeship training and certification model is the future!

Details

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is pleased to invite industry partners and stakeholders to its Annual Industry Meeting and Awards Breakfast. Join us on November 2 to honour those in the apprenticeship system who go above and beyond, celebrate our achievements over the past year, and play an active role by sharing your views on achieving a modern apprenticeship system.

Registration

Register Here: 2023 Annual Industry Meeting and Awards Breakfast 

If you missed registration, but would still like to participate in our Annual Industry Meeting, please email Kate Wray for a link to join virtually: kate.wray@novascotia.ca

Agenda

Date: November 2, 2023
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Venue: Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites, 15 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth, N.S.

7:30 a.m. BREAKFAST AND REGISTRATION

8:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Ceremony 

  • Land Acknowledgement by Board Member, Jan Fullerton
  • Territorial Welcome and Prayer by Board Member, Ann Sylliboy
  • Opening Remarks by Board Chair, Trent Soholt
  • Greetings from the Province by Associate Deputy Minister, NS Labour, Skills and Immigration, Nicole Johnson-Morrison

8:30 a.m. Apprenticeship Awards Presentation

  • The Apprenticeship Award of Excellence recognizes the valuable contributions the award recipient has made to encourage and support trade certification and their support for apprentices through their journey to certification.
  • The Apprenticeship Ally Award of Excellence recognizes the valuable contributions the award recipient has made to encourage and support trade certification among apprentices and their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the apprenticeship system.  

8:45 a.m. NSAA Annual Update

The CEO will provide highlights of the Agency’s achievements over the past year and an update on Apprenticeship Modernization.

9:15 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK

9:30 a.m. Partner Participation and Collaboration in Modernization

This facilitated session will seek insights from industry about their role for success to achieving a modern apprenticeship system.

11:00 a.m. Closing Remarks by Board Chair

Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Associate Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Associate Deputy Minister

Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Associate Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration Nicole Johnson-Morrison has held senior international trade roles within Canada’s federal and provincial governments. Her experience in public and private sector leadership allows Nicole to lead policy initiatives and help grow opportunities for Canadian businesses within global markets. Nicole has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester in England. She is currently a doctoral candidate. She’s a board member with multiple organizations, including the Black Business Initiative, International Women’s Forum Atlantic Chapter, Labour Market Information Council and National Congress of Black Canadians.

As the Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Nicole oversees leadership, direction and mandates for branches of higher education, labour services, and skills and learning. She also provides advice to the minister, deputy ministers and government, among other duties. Among her previous roles were Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Labour and Advanced Education, and President and CEO, EduNova.

Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Associate Deputy Minister

Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Associate Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration Nicole Johnson-Morrison has held senior international trade roles within Canada’s federal and provincial governments. Her experience in public and private sector leadership allows Nicole to lead policy initiatives and help grow opportunities for Canadian businesses within global markets. Nicole has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester in England. She is currently a doctoral candidate. She’s a board member with multiple organizations, including the Black Business Initiative, International Women’s Forum Atlantic Chapter, Labour Market Information Council and National Congress of Black Canadians.

As the Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Nicole oversees leadership, direction and mandates for branches of higher education, labour services, and skills and learning. She also provides advice to the minister, deputy ministers and government, among other duties. Among her previous roles were Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Labour and Advanced Education, and President and CEO, EduNova.

Trent Soholt, Board Chair, NSAA (Biography)

Trent Soholt, Board Chair

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Trent Soholt, Board Chair, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Trent Soholt was first appointed as a member of the Board (member-at-large) for a 3-year term on July 30, 2019. He was re-appointed for a second term and appointed as Board Chair on March 28, 2023.

Trent Soholt is the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council (NSCSC). The NSCSC is a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with industry partners to provide human resource solutions and labour market information for Nova Scotia's industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.

Trent is an internationally certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute with over 25 years of Project Management experience. He is a strong advocate for skilled trades and technology. Trent is the Chair of the Board of the Association of Industry Sector Councils; Treasurer for both the Apprenticeship Award Trust and Skills Canada-Nova Scotia; Director for the Design & Construction Institute of Nova Scotia; and a member of the Atlantic Labour Market Information Committee.

Trent Soholt, Board Chair

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Trent Soholt, Board Chair, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Trent Soholt was first appointed as a member of the Board (member-at-large) for a 3-year term on July 30, 2019. He was re-appointed for a second term and appointed as Board Chair on March 28, 2023.

Trent Soholt is the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council (NSCSC). The NSCSC is a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with industry partners to provide human resource solutions and labour market information for Nova Scotia's industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.

Trent is an internationally certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute with over 25 years of Project Management experience. He is a strong advocate for skilled trades and technology. Trent is the Chair of the Board of the Association of Industry Sector Councils; Treasurer for both the Apprenticeship Award Trust and Skills Canada-Nova Scotia; Director for the Design & Construction Institute of Nova Scotia; and a member of the Atlantic Labour Market Information Committee.

Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer, NSAA (Biography)

Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Michelle Bussey is the CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. The CEO is appointed by, and accountable to, the Deputy Minister responsible for the Agency, and is responsible for its general leadership and management. In addition, the CEO takes direction from the Apprenticeship Board to ensure the voice of industry is heard by Agency operations. The CEO is accountable to the Board to communicate its recommendations to the Minister, and to advance the goals of the apprenticeship and trades qualifications system.

Michelle was appointed in July 2023 to work with industry, apprentices, the Department, the Board, the NSAA team, its clients and partners to modernize the apprenticeship system, making it more efficient and responsive for employers, apprentices and equity-deserving groups to access apprenticeship and to experience success.

Michelle Bussey has spent her career promoting and supporting the skilled trades locally, nationally and internationally. With expertise in capacity building, industry and community engagement, board governance, marketing and communications, strategic planning, management and team development, Michelle brings strong leadership to this role.

Over the past 20+ years, Michelle has held senior leadership roles in Skills Canada-Nova Scotia, WorldSkills International, and the Nova Scotia Community College.

Her most recent position was Executive Director of the NSCC Foundation and Alumni Relations where she led multiple fundraising campaigns raising over $45M for innovative programming and student supports. Working closely with the Board of Directors, she led a new community-informed strategic plan for the unit.

With a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Masters of Public Administration from Dalhousie University, and professional certification as a Change Management Practitioner, Michelle believes strongly in lifelong learning. In keeping with this philosophy, she gives back as a Board member for the YMCA Greater Halifax/Dartmouth and the PREP Academy and is an Advisory Council member for the NSCC Sobey Award.

Michelle believes in focusing on and communicating the big picture and individual’s role in getting there so that everyone is working towards the same goals. With strong relationship building skills, it’s about listening, learning and responding. She’ll bring this philosophy to the Agency as it moves towards modernization.

Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Michelle Bussey, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Michelle Bussey is the CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. The CEO is appointed by, and accountable to, the Deputy Minister responsible for the Agency, and is responsible for its general leadership and management. In addition, the CEO takes direction from the Apprenticeship Board to ensure the voice of industry is heard by Agency operations. The CEO is accountable to the Board to communicate its recommendations to the Minister, and to advance the goals of the apprenticeship and trades qualifications system.

Michelle was appointed in July 2023 to work with industry, apprentices, the Department, the Board, the NSAA team, its clients and partners to modernize the apprenticeship system, making it more efficient and responsive for employers, apprentices and equity-deserving groups to access apprenticeship and to experience success.

Michelle Bussey has spent her career promoting and supporting the skilled trades locally, nationally and internationally. With expertise in capacity building, industry and community engagement, board governance, marketing and communications, strategic planning, management and team development, Michelle brings strong leadership to this role.

Over the past 20+ years, Michelle has held senior leadership roles in Skills Canada-Nova Scotia, WorldSkills International, and the Nova Scotia Community College.

Her most recent position was Executive Director of the NSCC Foundation and Alumni Relations where she led multiple fundraising campaigns raising over $45M for innovative programming and student supports. Working closely with the Board of Directors, she led a new community-informed strategic plan for the unit.

With a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Masters of Public Administration from Dalhousie University, and professional certification as a Change Management Practitioner, Michelle believes strongly in lifelong learning. In keeping with this philosophy, she gives back as a Board member for the YMCA Greater Halifax/Dartmouth and the PREP Academy and is an Advisory Council member for the NSCC Sobey Award.

Michelle believes in focusing on and communicating the big picture and individual’s role in getting there so that everyone is working towards the same goals. With strong relationship building skills, it’s about listening, learning and responding. She’ll bring this philosophy to the Agency as it moves towards modernization.