QEII expansion brings 159 new workers into the trades

The QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion is providing hands-on experience for workers building a 14-storey acute care tower. There are currently hundreds of tradespeople on site, including 159 people new to the trades and 86 registered apprentices working toward certification.

• Equity plan: At least 10% of hours worked are intended for apprentices and journeypersons from underrepresented groups. Currently, 34% of apprentices on the project self-identify as members of those groups.
• Project work: Workers have logged more than one million hours since construction began, with zero lost-time incidents reported to date.
• Next step: The site could have up to 900 workers during peak construction next summer.

The province is recognizing the workers during Skilled Trades and Technology Week, November 2–8. Nova Scotians can explore trades careers and apprenticeship pathways at exploretradesns.ca.