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CHBA NS Labour Market & Training Needs Survey – 2026

Thank you for taking the time to complete this short survey.

CHBA NS is gathering member feedback to better understand current labour market pressures, hiring needs, workforce challenges, and training priorities within Nova Scotia’s residential construction industry.

Your responses will help CHBA NS advocate on behalf of members, identify workforce gaps, support future training opportunities, and better understand the challenges facing builders, renovators, developers, trades, suppliers, and service providers across the province.

All responses will be kept confidential and reported in aggregate. This survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.
1.Which of the following best describes your organization?
2.Approximately how many people are employed by your organization?
3.In which areas of Nova Scotia does your organization do business? Select all that apply.
4.How do you expect your hiring needs to change over the next 12–24 months?
5.What factors are influencing your hiring needs? Select all that apply.
6.In which areas are you currently experiencing workforce challenges? Select all that apply.
7.What are your biggest challenges in recruiting qualified workers or subcontractors? Select all that apply.
8.Is your organization planning to hire within the next 12 months?
9.If no or unsure, when do you expect to be in a position to hire?
10.In which areas are you planning to hire? Select all that apply.
11.Please identify any specific trades, occupations, or roles you are looking to hire.
12.Approximately how many hires do you anticipate in the next 12 months?
13.At what experience levels are you willing to hire? Select all that apply.
14.Would your organization consider hiring someone who has completed a short-term, industry-developed construction training program? For example, a 12–16 week program focused on basic construction skills, safety, tools, jobsite expectations, and residential construction fundamentals.
15.What skills would be most important for an entry-level worker to have before being hired? Select all that apply.
16.From which sources do you typically recruit employees? Select all that apply.
17.Does your organization have enough qualified supervisors, forepersons, journeypersons, or senior staff to support the number of employees you would ideally hire?
18.If no or partially, how many additional supervisors, forepersons, journeypersons, or senior staff would you ideally need?
19.What training would be most valuable to your company or team over the next 12–24 months? Select all that apply.
20.Are there specific courses, workshops, or information sessions you would like CHBA NS to offer?
21.What are the biggest barriers preventing your company from training or upskilling employees? Select all that apply.
22.Would your organization be interested in participating in future CHBA NS workforce, training, or recruitment initiatives?
23.If you consent to being contacted about your responses, please leave your name, company, and email below.
24.Please share any additional comments on labour market needs, workforce challenges, recruitment, retention, or training priorities in Nova Scotia’s residential construction industry.