Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency's Youth Skilled Trades Camps provide hands-on experiences for youth in grades 7 through 9 across the province to discover skilled trades at no cost. Explore a new trade each day - such as carpentry, welding, automotive service repair, culinary and more - and discover careers that shape our communities.
Why attend?
- Explore a new trade each day and discover which ones you like most.
- Experience lots of variety with new activities each day.
- Take part in hands-on learning led by NSCC faculty.
- Get an early start exploring what skilled trades careers are like.
- See what it’s like to learn trades at a college campus.
March Break camp dates and locations
*Workshops are subject to change based on availability. Participants will be notified of any updates to the program.
Kingstec Campus, March 16 to 20, 2026
Applications open January 12-15, 2026
(Automotive Service Repair, Carpentry, Machining and Plumbing)*
Ivany Campus, March 16 to 20, 2026
Applications open January 12 - 15, 2026
(Boat Building, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning)*
Camp details
- Cost: Free
- Time: 9 am to 3:30 pm
- Capacity: 60 campers in grades 7 through 9 per camp. Campers must be 12 years of age (minimum) at the start of camp.
- Important note: Campers must attend the Monday of the Skilled Trades Camp for mandatory safety training. Campers who do not attend safety training will not be permitted to attend the remainder of the week.
- Lunch is provided.
- All personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided.
- Participants take home what they build.
New for March Break 2026: How to Apply
The Skilled Trades Camps have become increasingly popular over the past 2 years and we're aiming to simplify the application process. We encourage all eligible youth to apply including youth from Mi’kmaw, Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, and under-represented communities. Here’s how it works.
- Apply online: Fill out 1 application per child during the 72-hour window.
- Lottery selection: After applications close, spots are filled by random draw.
- Watch your inbox: If your child is a successful applicant and receives a space in camp or is waitlisted, you’ll hear from us within 5 business days.
- Final step: confirm your spot: Complete the registration and consent forms within 1 week of your confirmation email to secure the space in camp.
Important March Break 2026 application dates:
- Jan 12: Applications open at 9 am
- Jan 15: Applications close at 9 am
- Jan 21: Notification emails sent by 3 pm
Join our mailing list to learn about future camps.
All campers must be 12 years of age (minimum) at the beginning of camp.
No. The first day of camp is dedicated to important safety training and all campers must complete the training before entering any workshops.
Email with any questions you have.
NSCC will be accepting applications for March Break 2026 camps from January 12 starting at 9am until January 15 at 9am.
Select the “Apply now” button located on the Youth Skilled Trades homepage. The button will redirect users to the application form (Microsoft Forms). From there, the user can complete the form, and submit.
Please ensure that all fields are completed and reviewed prior to submitting. Misspelled emails or phone numbers could result in NSCC not being able to confirm successful applicants.
Jan 15: Applications close (9 am)
Jan 21: Notification emails sent by 3 pm
No, applications will only be accepted between January 12 - 15, 2026.
To apply for multiple campers online, you must complete a separate application form for each camper. You may reuse the same contact informatio for multiple applications.
No, all applications will be vetted and all duplicate applications will be removed.
No. The application form will enter your child into the lottery. Space will be filled by a random draw until all spaces are full.
Yes, short waitlists will be put into place after all the spaces in the camp are filled. Waitlisted applicants will receive an email from the Skilled Trades Camp team.
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Youth Skilled Trades Camps are funded by the Government of Nova Scotia and delivered in partnership with NSCC. Learn more about Actions to Accelerate Skilled Trades Growth.