Skills Canada – Nova Scotia (SCNS) is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Skills Legacy Competition!
In celebration of our 25th Anniversary, we will be awarding $5,000 to support five project proposals submitted by schools and youth-serving non-profit organizations in Nova Scotia. In total, we will be distributing $25,000 – $1,000 for each year SCNS has been advancing opportunities for youth to explore skilled trades and technologies. This competition is aimed at supporting schools and community groups throughout the province who are committed to promoting skilled trades and technologies, especially among youth from underrepresented communities.
This competition is made possible thanks to funding from the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation and the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
And The Winners Are…
Wagmatcookewey First Nation School
Wagmatcookewey First Nation School plans to use the grant to offer a new Photography and Graphic Design program for Junior High and High School students. The students will learn how to maintain websites, edit, process photos, craft multidimensional images, and understand how to use relevant software. The new program will give students the opportunity to experiment with all kinds of professional-grade equipment and software tools, such as, iPads and Adobe design software.
This new addition will enhance the teaching and learning of art, web page design, graphic design, drawing and painting, computer applications, and commercial art. Wagmatcookewey First Nation School has many talented students interested in developing their art and photography skills, and this program will allow them to significantly advance their skillset.
North Queens Community School
North Queens Community School is planning to use the funding to revamp their Skilled Trades program by introducing new courses to their students, including skilled trades 10, construction 10, construction 12, and production technology. The grant will be used to buy new equipment to provide students with hands-on learning experiences in skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical, drywall, roofing, and carpentry.
North Queens Community School is planning to continue expanding their program in the coming years, starting with their junior technology education program which will give students an earlier introduction to careers in the skilled trades.
Nova Scotia Youth Centre
The Nova Scotia Youth Centre is planning to launch a new project called Building a Future with the goal of introducing youth in custody to a variety of skilled trades & technologies. The youth will gain hands-on experience with hand and power tools, explore potential future career options, and grow an understanding of the relevance of education.
The youth will be supporting the community by building storage spaces for tools used by organizations constructing homeless shelters. The youth will also participate in safety training courses and explore stages of the construction process from early planning to completion under the guidance of experienced contractors, tradespeople, and youth mentors.
Sackville High School
Sackville High School plans to use their award to launch a Culinary Creations Program that will provide lunch to students while introducing them to the culinary arts.
Students will take a cooking class from a Red Seal chef to acquire and improve their culinary skills, become certified in Basic Food Safety Training, and use their training to prepare, cook and serve a delicious meal at an event to showcase their knowledge and skills.
Sydney Makerspace
Sydney Makerspace is a community workshop for the CBRM and surrounding rural areas. People of all ages and backgrounds use its equipment and expertise to learn, build, create and share skills. The Sydney Makerspace supports businesses, students, and community members to help turn their ideas into reality.
The Sydney Makerspace plans to use their funding to acquire tools including soldering stations, a 3D printer, power tools, and Raspberry Pi kits to increase the capacity of their After School Makerspace Tech Camps. The new equipment will provide students with the tools they need to properly finish their projects as well as additional options to explore new types of skills that may be of interest within other areas of trades.
