Economy
Fast-Tracking Futures: New Pilot Program for Skilled Trades at NSCC
Tim Houston’s PC goverment is addressing its growing need for skilled tradespeople with an innovative new pilot program. Starting this fall, Grade 12 students who meet graduation requirements by the end of the first semester will have the unique opportunity to jumpstart their careers in the skilled trades sooner than ever before.
Early Entry into Skilled Trades Programs
This groundbreaking pilot program will allow 34 eligible students to begin their journey at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) in February, right after completing their high school requirements. These students will be part of two pre-apprenticeship programs: plumbing at the Sydney campus and electrical construction and industrial at the Truro campus.
By entering these programs early, students will receive nine months of intensive training, preparing them to enter the workforce by November 2025. This accelerated pathway not only addresses the urgent need for skilled trades professionals but also provides young Nova Scotians with a head start in their careers.
Building a Stronger Workforce
Premier Tim Houston highlights the significance of this initiative: “Skilled trade careers are high-paying, in-demand opportunities throughout our province. It’s an excellent time to become a skilled trades professional. Today, we’re announcing a pilot program where graduating high school students can enter the skilled trades sooner.”
This program is part of a broader strategy to build up Nova Scotia’s workforce, ensuring that there are enough skilled professionals to drive the economy forward. By investing in the youth and providing them with early access to training, the province is supporting not only individual futures but also the future of the entire community.
A Balanced Approach
Understanding the importance of celebrating academic milestones, students in the program will have a two-week break in June to enjoy their high school graduation festivities. This balanced approach ensures that students can both pursue their career goals and celebrate their achievements with family and friends.
Looking Ahead
As this pilot program launches, there is optimism about the positive impact it will have on students and the community. By offering a faster route to skilled trades certification, the program aims to meet the demand for these critical roles while providing young people with valuable, high-paying career opportunities.
The tories are committed to building up its workforce, one skilled tradesperson at a time. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative and support the future trades professionals.
Grade 12 students interested in this opportunity should look out for more information from their schools or contact NSCC for details on how to apply. Together, Nova Scotia can build a stronger, skilled workforce for the future!
Nova Scotia is set to strengthen its agri-food sector with a significant investment from Agropur dairy co-operative, as the business moves forward with a major expansion of its Bedford facility. The project is expected to bolster the province’s dairy industry while creating skilled-trade jobs during the construction phase.
Premier Tim Houston praised the decision, highlighting the alignment between Agropur’s growth strategy and the province’s broader economic goals.
“Nova Scotia is a great choice for Agropur’s expansion,” said Houston. “Agropur’s strong commitments to market diversification and growth align with our government’s plan to grow our economy and support the success of our people.”
It’s fantastic to see businesses like Agropur investing in our province. Just yesterday, they announced an expansion of their Bedford facility: creating good, skilled-trades jobs and growing our dairy sector right here at home. Minister Greg Morrow was proud to help ensure this… pic.twitter.com/4TMS41huWK
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 24, 2026
Once complete, the upgraded Bedford site will serve as a key dairy ingredient processing hub. It is positioned to play a strategic role in supplying locally produced dairy proteins to meet rising national demand for protein-enriched products. The expansion will also introduce a new butter processing line, further enhancing production capacity.
The new facility is expected to open in 2028, marking a long-term investment in the region’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Agropur already has a strong presence in Nova Scotia, employing more than 400 people across its Bedford and Truro operations. The expansion is anticipated to reinforce that footprint while supporting dairy farmers throughout Nova Scotia and the broader Maritime region.
Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow emphasized the importance of the project for local producers and the industry’s future.
“This is a great day for dairy farmers in Nova Scotia,” said Morrow. “The new plant is a strategic investment in local milk and milk products and will support the industry in looking at value-added projects and market and product diversification.”
The development signals growing confidence in Nova Scotia’s agri-food sector and its ability to compete in evolving domestic markets–thanks to investments from the province’s PC government.
Nova Scotia graduates will no longer need to reapply each year to keep their provincial student loans interest-free, following a new change aimed at reducing paperwork and improving access to support.
The PC government has streamlined its zero per cent interest program so that all new graduates who qualify will automatically continue receiving the benefit throughout their repayment period. The update removes the previous requirement for borrowers to submit annual applications to confirm eligibility.
We’re making it easier for Nova Scotia graduates to get ahead.
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 14, 2026
Our government has removed the need to reapply each year to keep provincial student loans interest-free. That means less paperwork and no risk of losing support.
✔️ 0% interest continues automatically
✔️ Fewer… pic.twitter.com/0wRbD5ZPbM
“Graduates should be able to focus on the new, exciting stage they are starting – not worrying about whether they have filled out the paperwork to keep loan repayment affordable,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education. “By removing the need to reapply each year, we’re making the zero per cent interest program simpler and more reliable for the Nova Scotians who depend on it.”
The program is designed to support graduates who choose to stay in Nova Scotia after completing their studies. Until now, participants were required to reapply annually to verify they still met the criteria, creating an added administrative step that could interrupt support if missed.
With the new approach, eligible borrowers will experience uninterrupted access to interest-free repayment, helping them stay focused on paying down their loans. The Province has already notified individuals currently repaying provincial student loans of the change via email.
Officials say the update is part of a broader effort to cut red tape and improve service delivery across government programs, making it easier for Nova Scotians to access the support they need.
Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia has received approval to begin new work at the Touquoy gold mine site in Moose River, Halifax County, allowing the company to process previously stockpiled ore.
The industrial approval, issued April 10 by the PC government’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, permits the processing of approximately three million tonnes of gold-bearing ore that has remained on site since operations ceased in 2023. No new mining or extraction will take place, and all work will be limited to the site’s existing disturbed footprint.
Processing is expected to take between 10 and 14 months. As part of the plan, all resulting waste material will be returned to the site’s existing open pit.
The project is expected to deliver economic benefits to the province, including the creation of about 197 jobs and an estimated $151 million contribution to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product.
Last week our government announced that industrial approval has been granted to process existing gold ore at the Touquoy site in HRM.
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 14, 2026
This work will support nearly 200 jobs and add $151 million to Nova Scotia’s economy.
There is no new mining or expanded footprint. This project… pic.twitter.com/BNpifoctP9
Reclamation of the Touquoy site began in 2024 and will continue during this phase of work. While activity in the mill area will be temporarily paused to allow for processing, cleanup efforts will proceed in other parts of the site.
To ensure the site is fully restored, the Province continues to hold a $79.9-million bond from Atlantic Mining. The bond is in place to guarantee that reclamation is completed in accordance with the Environment Act.
The approval allows previously extracted resources to be processed while maintaining environmental safeguards and ongoing site rehabilitation.
