
The high demand for carpenters in Nova Scotia stems from several factors, such as a large volume of new housing construction and renovation projects. In 2025, there are more job openings in Halifax Municipality than there are qualified candidates to fill these positions.
Carpentry plays a crucial role in construction and infrastructure. A carpenter is defined as "a skilled tradesperson who builds, installs, maintains, and repairs structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials." This may involve constructing foundations, raising walls, and installing roofing, door frames, stairways, among other tasks.
In 2024, Nova Scotia launched two new initiatives aimed at simplifying the certification process in the skilled trades sector, as part of its strategy to expand the skilled trades workforce in response to a growing population:
In Nova Scotia, trade certification is optional, with Quebec being the only province where it is mandatory. The Nova Scotia Community College provides an outstanding carpentry program, offering both full-time and part-time study options: https://www.nscc.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/related-programs/carpentry-programs.asp
In 2024, women represent approximately 4.7% of the trades workforce. Nova Scotia promotes trade careers for women: https://www.buildingfutures.ca/women-trades/
The demand for carpenter jobs in Canada is anticipated to rise from 2025 to 2031, alongside the significant housing shortage the country is experiencing, making the job outlook for carpenters very promising!
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