The executive director of the Automotive Sector Council for Nova Scotia is seeking to address the province's growing skilled trades shortage.
On Feb. 17, 2026, the Automotive Sector Council of Nova Scotia announced its executive director would be the group's primary media authority on workforce challenges in the province’s motive power sector, which includes automotive service, truck and transport and collision repair.
As Nova Scotia faces skilled trades shortages that threaten economic stability and critical infrastructure, the council says stronger coordination between industry, educators and government is needed to stabilize the workforce pipeline.
“The workforce challenges facing the motive power sector are real, measurable, and urgent,” Veinot said. “Employers across Nova Scotia are struggling to find skilled workers, and without strategic action, these shortages will continue to impact businesses and infrastructure. The Motive Power Trade is part of critical infrastructure. If we fail, it becomes a domino effect.”
Based in Dartmouth, ASC is the province’s only sector council dedicated exclusively to automotive and motive power trades. It works with employers, government, educators and community partners to address labour shortages, strengthen apprenticeship pathways and build long-term workforce solutions.
Nova Scotia’s automotive service and collision repair workforce is facing sustained pressure as demand for skilled tradespeople remains strong. According to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, there were 1,661 active apprentices in the motive power sector in 2024–25, a category that includes automotive service technicians and auto body and collision repairers.
The province has committed $100 million over 3 years, announced in October 2023, to increase apprenticeship intake, boost journeyperson certification and improve retention rates.
At the same time, the federal Government of Canada Job Bank rates job prospects in Nova Scotia as “Good” through 2027 for automotive service technicians, truck and transport mechanics and collision repair trades, noting the need for highly skilled, Red Seal-certified technicians as vehicle technology becomes more complex.
In some regions, including the Kentville area, Job Bank data recently described conditions for collision repair and refinishing technicians as a “major labour shortage,” underscoring the ongoing gap between training output and employer demand.
The organization has spent more than 15 years working within the industry and with retail gasoline dealers to provide labour market insight and deliver workforce development programs that support both employers and new entrants.
One of those initiatives, Shift Forward, is aimed at promoting careers in the motive power trades and improving access to apprenticeship opportunities. The program focuses on career awareness, outreach and encouraging broader participation in automotive service, truck and transport and collision repair.
Veinot is available to speak about skilled trades shortages, apprenticeship systems and labour market trends affecting Nova Scotia’s motive power sector.
Collision Repair magazine reached out to Veinot for additional detail on vacancy levels, apprenticeship completion rates and near-term action plans. A response was not received before publication.
