2022 Annual Industry Meeting and Awards Breakfast

Date: October 27, 2022

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton, 101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, N.S.

7:30 a.m. Breakfast and Registration

8:00 a.m. 

• Welcome and Opening Ceremony
• Opening Remarks by Board Chair
• Greetings from the Province

8:45 a.m. Apprenticeship Awards Presentation

• The Apprenticeship Award of Excellence recognizes the valuable contributions award recipients have made to encourage apprentices through their journey to certification.
• The Apprenticeship Ally Award of Excellence recognizes the valuable contributions award recipients have made to increase equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the apprenticeship system.

9:15 a.m. NSAA Annual Update

• The CEO will provide highlights of the Agency’s achievements over the past year.

9:45 a.m.

• Break

10:00 a.m. Mentorship and Attracting and Retaining People in the Skilled Trades

• Keynote Speaker, Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction Association will address mentorship and attracting and retaining people in the skilled trades.

10:45 a.m. Role of Mentorship in Fostering a Culture of Workplace Learning

• A moderated panel will discuss mentorship and the role it plays in creating a thoughtfully planned apprenticeship and supporting inclusive workplace learning environments.

11:25 a.m. Atlantic Trades Mentoring Program

• NSAA will provide an overview on the Atlantic Trades Mentoring Program framework and include opportunity for discussion and feedback.

12:00 p.m. Closing Remarks by Board Chair

• Lunch

Keynote Speaker: Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction Association

President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) for the past 5 years, Mary Van Buren is a proven leader with an exceptional track record in advancing member interests. An expert in marketing, communications, strategy and digital, she has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors and has held executive roles at leading associations and not-for-profits, including the Canadian Medical Association’s subsidiary, MD Financial Management, and Export Development Canada.

In addition to her broad business experience and financial acumen, Mary holds an MBA in international business from McGill and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa, is bilingual in English and French, and is a Certified Association Executive.

Panel Discussion: The Role of Mentorship in Fostering a Culture of Workplace Learning

A moderated panel will discuss mentorship and the role it plays in creating a thoughtfully planned apprenticeship and a supportive and inclusive workplace learning environment.

Panelists

• Matthew Burke, Welding Apprenticeship Skills and Development Coach, Irving Shipbuilding
• Shealeen Erskine, Welder Apprentice, Irving Shipbuilding
• Tracy Kittilsen, Manager, Extended Learning - Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
• Joey MacDougall, Shop Supervisor, Toromont Cat

Moderator: Lisa Frizzell, Senior Education Strategist, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Ava Czapalay, Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer

Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

Ava Czapalay was appointed Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Labour, Skills and Immigration following a six-month term as Deputy Minister and CEO of Immigration and Population Growth. The newly created Department includes the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, Skills and Learning, Labour Services, Corporate Policy, Safety, and the Workers Compensation Board.

Prior to these appointments, Ms. Czapalay was the Associate Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and, from 2012-2019, the Senior Executive Director of the Higher Education Branch at Labour and Advanced Education. From 2005-2012, Ms. Czapalay served as founding President and CEO of EduNova, a cooperative organization focused on the global marketing and promotion of Nova Scotia’s education and training sector.

Brad Smith ICD.D, Board Chair

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Brad Smith was first appointed as a member of the inaugural NSAA Board in 2014. He was re-appointed in 2016 and appointed as Board Chair on July 30, 2019. Mr. Smith is an employee representative in the construction sector, chairs the Governance Standing Committee and is a member of the Recruitment Standing Committee.

Brad Smith is the Executive Director of the Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades Council, an organization whose mandate is to provide highly skilled industrial tradespeople, promote and develop business for its 11,000 members, and provide a united voice on issues affecting the professional trades.

Mr. Smith is a past Vice-President of the Greater Halifax Partnership and Senior Associate with Sandler Training. He is Past-Chair of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, Chair of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, and sits on the Board of Directors for Construction Safety Nova Scotia and Build Right Nova Scotia. Brad is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Mr. Smith was a member of the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Apprenticeship and contributed to the ‘Reference Group’s Report on Employer Engagement in Apprenticeship’ (2013).

Marjorie Davison, Chief Executive Officer

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Marjorie Davison 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 concerning the Board’s powers and duties. She is accountable to the Board to communicate its recommendations to the Minister, and to advance the goals of the apprenticeship and trades qualifications system.

Marjorie is working with the Board to position apprenticeship as a quality post-secondary option for our youth and increase the responsiveness of the trades training system to industry needs. This involves making it easier for employers, apprentices and under-represented groups to access apprenticeship supports and experience success. As part of this process, Marjorie and her team are committed to increasing the accountability of the Agency in working with all of our partners to foster an equitable, diverse, accessible and inclusive apprenticeship system.