The housing construction industry in Nova Scotia is one of the provinces’ fastest-growing and most in-demand sectors. It represents 70% of all construction activity in the Province.Â
Nova Scotia, a province on Canada’s Atlantic coast, is home to 1.1 million people. Its diverse communities range from large urban centres like Halifax (500,000 people) to suburban and rural areas. Known for its strong sense of community, Nova Scotia offers a unique blend of coastal living and economic opportunity. The province is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, world-class seafood, stunning coastlines, and music and arts scenes. This environment makes it an exceptional place to live and work in Canada.Â
Nova Scotia's Housing Construction Industry comprises more than 3,000 companies and 45,000 skilled trades workers who operate in every region of the province. The industry has been building approximately 6000 new housing units annually and undertaking major renovations to 15,000 homes each year. The housing construction sector plays a critical role in shaping Nova Scotia’s future by meeting the needs of its diverse communities. From modular and custom-built homes to multi-unit developments and innovative construction solutions, this industry offers endless opportunities for meaningful and impactful careers in Nova Scotia. The Province needs to attract 10,000 new workers to the housing construction industry by 2030 - and you can be one of them!Â
Information sourced from Buildforce.ca
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Nova Scotia (CHBA-NS) is the voice of the housing construction industry in Nova Scotia. For more than 50 years, the CHBA-NS has played a key role in promoting quality, choice and affordable housing for all Nova Scotians. The Association is made up of professional builders, renovators, developers and many other stakeholders in the housing construction industry.
The Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council is a non-profit, industry-led organization and community partnership network dedicated to attracting, developing, and supporting the people, the talents, and the skills necessary to meet the housing needs of Nova Scotians. We address labor market challenges, promote diversity and inclusion, and create pathways for career development in the skilled trades, while encouraging sustainable building practices. As the demand for housing in Nova Scotia continues to grow, our sector is actively recruiting international skilled trades to meet our workforce needs.
Ritika Sharma
RCIC International Recruiter
Pay expectations for trades workers in Nova Scotia generally range from CAD $15.20 to $45 per hour, depending on factors such as experience, education, formal training, and the specific trade.
Formal training, certifications (such as Red Seal in certain trades), and union membership can significantly influence pay rates. The demand for skilled trades workers in construction, can also lead to higher pay in areas experiencing growth or large-scale infrastructure projects.
In Nova Scotia, health benefits for construction workers can vary depending on their, Immigration pathway, employer, union membership, and the type of employment contract they have. Â
Benefits packages such as health insurance, vacation days, sick leave, and retirement savings plans will vary across companies and trades.
Canadian work culture is recognized for its professionalism, inclusivity, and focus on work-life balance. A fundamental aspect of the Canadian workplace is its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, alongside a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.
Canada places a high emphasis on workplace occupational health and safety regulations (OHS), which are enforced at both the federal and provincial levels. Employees have the right to work in a safe environment, and employers must comply with strict safety standards.
Resource:
Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations:
https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/ohsworkplace.htm
Nova Scotia experiences four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The climate varies throughout the year, offering generally mild to moderate weather for outdoor working conditions, though each season comes with its challenges. In winter, Nova Scotia experiences freezing rain and snow with temperatures that can drop between -10°C and -20°C, while summer in Nova Scotia is very humid with temperatures that can rise above 35°C.
Construction jobs are physically demanding and you will be required to handle heavy equipment, tools, and machinery.
With a labour shortage in Nova Scotia’s housing construction sector there is a high demand for skilled trades workers such as Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians, Boilermakers, Bricklayer, Glazier, Heat and frost Insulator (H-VAC), General Labourer, Millwright, Painter, Roofer, Sheet Metal Worker, Tile Setter, Cabinet Maker, Framer, and Drywaller.
Nova Scotia’s housing construction industry offers a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities due to the province’s growing economy, infrastructure needs, and diverse development projects. As the demand for housing construction continues to rise, there is more opportunity where entrepreneurs can find success.
Trade Certification outside of Canada may need to be verified or re-accredited. The Red Seal Program is the Canadian Standard for certifying trades people.
Resource:
Find employment:
https://isans.ca/find-employment/
Resource:
Bridge to work: Carpentry
https://isans.ca/program/bridge-to-work-carpentry/
Nova Scotia’s housing construction industry offers newcomers a wealth of career possibilities, with high demand for skilled trades professionals.Â
Resource:
Live in Nova Scotia:Â
https://liveinnovascotia.com/
Resource:
Halifax Local Immigration Partnerships:
https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/diversity-inclusion/immigration-services/halifax-immigration-partnership
Resource:
Western Nova Scotia Partnership:Â
https://welcometowesternns.ca/work/
Resource:
Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership:Â
https://capebretonpartnership.com/initiatives-services/cape-breton-local-immigration-partnership/
Resource:
North Shore Local Immigration Partnership (LIP):Â
https://www.yishfx.ca/lip
Resource:
Atlantic Immigration Program Pilot:Â
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html
Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Code includes fair treatment, termination with notice requirements, and protection against discrimination.
Employers in Nova Scotia are expected to follow rules around hiring and supporting International workers, including maintaining work environments that adhere to Canadian law and codes of conduct.
Resource:
Employment and settlement services:
https://isans.ca/
