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Volunteering With Us

Volunteers are an essential part of all Skills Canada – Nova Scotia programs. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from, that suit a variety of interests. Each year we are grateful to our volunteers who give their time for SCNS. Some of the roles that volunteers fill are:

Provincial Technical Committee

Each contest area in the Nova Scotia Skills Competition is developed and managed by a Provincial Technical Committee (PTC). This PTC is made up of volunteers who ensure that national standards and industry expectations are being met.

Responsibilities and tasks:

  • Develop a contest description to identify the skills and techniques that will be tested.
  • Identify equipment and materials that will be required for the competition.
  • Determine number of competitors who can participate.
  • Create a system of evaluation and recruit a judging panel.
  • Consider safety concerns and implement measures to ensure a safe competition for all participants.
  • Attend virtual competition planning meetings.
  • Assist in all competition execution activities including: setting up the contest site, solving problems encountered at the contest site, daily toolbox checks, judging,
    tabulation of scores, collation of rankings, and dismantling of the contest site;
  • Maintain regular communication with SCNS Competition Coordinator.

Time Commitment:

September-January, minimal hours to create competition documents and attend early planning meetings. February-May, more volunteer involvement attending planning meetings, receiving materials, set-up, and execution for the Nova Scotia Skills Competition.

If you are interested in joining the Provincial Technical Committee please fill out the PTC Submission Form below. Volunteer involvement is confirmed by the SCNS Competition Coordinator.

PTC Submission Form
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National Technical Committee

The National Technical Committee (NTC) serves as an operational and advisory committee to the National Secretariat of Skills Competences Canada (SCC). There is one NTC committee per contest area. The purpose of the committee is to formalize a competition development process. The committee will provide each province and territory of Canada a voice in the development of the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) criteria. This will allow for the standardization of national contest descriptions, projects and judging criteria.

Responsibilities and tasks:

  • Identify the skills and techniques to be tested and evaluated for the contest area.
  • As a committee, develop the contest description, project documents, judging criteria, working documents and a competition timetable.
  • Develop an infrastructure list of equipment and materials to be used.
  • Consider safety concerns and implement measures to ensure a safe competition for all participants.
  • Attend virtual and in-person competition planning meetings.Assist the host province / territory in planning for the event and whenever possible, lead in the evaluation process of the competitors.
  • Respond to questions and inquiries from individuals from within your province and National Secretariat.
  • Travel to the host province and assist in all competition execution activities including: setting up the contest site, solving problems encountered at the contest site, daily toolbox checks, judging, tabulation of scores, collation of rankings, and dismantling of the contest site.

Time Commitment:

September-January, minimal hours to create competition documents and attend early planning meetings. February- June, more volunteer involvement attending planning meetings, traveling to host province, and the set-up and execution of the Skills Canada National Competition.

We are now accepting applications for the National Technical Committee for the 2026–2028 term.

NTC Submission Form
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Coaching

Coaches are integral to the success and mentorship of Team Nova Scotia. These volunteers are made up of training professionals in their respected skilled trade or technology.

We are now accepting expression of interest forms for 2025 Team NS coaches. Deadline to submit is April 4, 2025

For more information about coaching please email Laura King, Operations Manager at lauraking@skillsns.ca

2025 Team NS - Expression of Interest Form
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Alumni Opportunities

Are you a past Team Nova Scotia competitor? Alumni possess a unique set of skills and competition experience. Share your skills with future competitors!

SCNS is looking for your support by volunteering at our events throughout the year and at the 2025 Nova Scotia Skills Competition.

For more information about volunteering as an Alumni please email Laura King, Operations Manager at lauraking@skillsns.ca

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Judging

Judges oversee competitors on competition day. SCNS is always looking for qualified judges to support the Provincial Technical Committee’s (PTC) in the facilitation of competitions.

Responsibilities and tasks:

  • Mark/score competitors using judge sheet created by the PTC
  • Some contest area’s may require judges to take measurements and inspect competitor projects
  • Judges may be responsible for supporting  the PTC in the facilitation of the competitions

Time Commitment:

Approximately 8-10 hours on competition day.

If you are interested in judging please email Competition Manager Benjamin Bestvater, at benjaminbestvater@skillsns.ca for upcoming opportunities!

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Volunteer of the Year Award

Every year Skills Canada – Nova Scotia is fortunate to work with a team of dedicated, hard-working, and generous volunteers. From coaches to competition organizers, board members to tour guides, our volunteers continue to support our programming with their time and expertise.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is awarded annually to an individual who went above and beyond their call of duty and truly helped our organization fulfil our mission.

Nominations have closed for this year.

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