New Protection for Skilled Trades

Nova Scotia tradespeople and those who use their services now have the protection of new measures that help enforce apprenticeship and qualification laws.

Provincial enforcement officers can now issue summary offence tickets for offences under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act and General Regulations.

"Government is always working to improve the safety of Nova Scotians training in the skilled trades, and those who use the services of a skilled tradesperson," said acting Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "Summary offence tickets help enforce the laws around apprenticeship, and they help regulate practise in the 55 designated trades."

Examples of offences include practising, or employing someone in, a compulsory certified trade without meeting the conditions of that trade, failing to provide direct supervision for an apprentice, or failing to keep or present an identity card while practising a designated trade. Fines for these offences range from $445 to $905.

Staff at the Department of Education regularly review the act and general regulations with apprentices, journeypersons and employers.

If employers or employees continue an offending behaviour after receiving a summary offence ticket, they can be charged and subject to fines of up to $5,000 and/or three months in jail for a first offence, and fines of up to $10,000, and/or 12 months in jail for a second offence.

"For the apprenticeship system to work properly, and to reinforce the credibility of the trades, it's important to enforce certain rules and standards," said Don Zwicker, chair, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Board. "People working in the trades are providing services to the general public, and quality and safety are priorities in their daily jobs."

The apprenticeship training and skills development division joins other divisions and departments across government that use summary offence tickets as part of their enforcement system.

For more information on the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act and General Regulations and details about summary offence tickets, see the website at www.apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca or call 902-424-5188.