The Atlantic Home Building & Renovation Sector Council has completed three years of research and consultation on the licensing of contractors and the training and certification of carpenters. We now have a plan and a program and we are ready to move forward with legislation and a new licensing commission. The PRO SPEC 2006 conference helped us take this important step forward in our industry.

We all know the value of doing something right. In the face of a burgeoning underground economy, professionalization will strengthen our sector by providing:

• a supply of better-skilled tradespeople
• a high-quality housing product with consumer protection
• the means to be successful in business as professional builders and renovators

The term 'professionalization' refers to a comprehensive approach to education, training, recognition of acquired competencies, certification and licensing for people working at all levels in the home building and renovation sector. The objectives of this conference were:

• To review progress in implementation of professionalization in the Nova Scotia residential construction industry since the PRO SPEC 2004 Conference.
• To review and validate the Action Plan for the next phase in implementation of professionalization.
• To review and validate the Business Plan for the establishment of a Residential Construction Commission to oversee licensing of residential construction contractors.

We brought together industry leaders and decision-makers from potential partner agencies in government, the training system and the private sector, including:

• Builders and renovators from all across the province
• Federal, provincial and municipal housing agencies, and building officials
• Health and safety regulators
• Provincial Department of Finance and CCRA
• Human resources development agencies
• Training and apprenticeship program roviders
• ICI sector representatives
• Banking industry representatives
• Insurance industry representatives
• Academics
• Consumers
• Invited guests from other jurisdictions and industry sectors

Speakers and panelists from across Canada described a variety of approaches taken to address regulatory reform, renew College trades training and Apprenticeship, create sector-based PLAR, and develop industry-driven certification and licensing programs for the Home Building and Renovation sector.

We had an update from the Homeowner Protection Office in British Columbia and the changes being recommended through the 'Raising the Bar' initiative.

We included presentations on the innovative Apprenticeship model in British Columbia and what it has meant for the HB&R sector, industry-driven pilot initiatives for sub-trades training in Saskatchewan, and industry consultations around Amendments to the Apprenticeship Act in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia panelists included representatives from industry associations, governments and consumers who had experiences to share and had been impacted by the issues.

Speakers and Presenters (36 KB PDF)

	Final Conference Report (316 KB PDF)
	Professionalization Action Plan (316 KB PDF)
	Business Plan for the Introduction of a Mandatory Licensing System Draft For Discussion at Pro Spec 2006 Conference (316 KB PDF)
	Conference Agenda (300 KB PDF)

Opening Presentation - Progress Towards Professionalization in Nova Scotia (144 KB PDF)

	Nova Scotia Real Estate Commision Presentation (36 KB PDF)
	Business Plan for the Introduction of a Mandatory Licensing System (108 KB PDF)
	Overview of the BC Homowners Protection Office (264 KB PDF)
	Collaboration as a Means to Achieve Consumer Protection (236 KB PDF)

	Carpentry Subtrade Designations (52 KB PDF)
	Proposed Regulatory Amendments (76 KB PDF)
	BC's Home Building Skills Agenda (228 KB PDF)

	Reports from Workshop Groups (68 KB PDF)
	Next Steps - Pro Spec 2006 Recomendations (60 KB PDF)

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