Article content“We’re looking at other opportunities for different energy needs and mining and defence and all of that requires skilled trades. We need to make sure that we have skilled trades professionals to do this work.”Article content Ainsley MacInnis, a concrete worker with Northern Contracting, speaks about her experience in skilled trades during the location announcement for the new Cape Breton Trades Exhibition Centre in Sydney. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Jeremy FraserArticle contentAinsley MacInnis, a concrete worker for Northern Contracting, spoke about her experience in the trades and how it has helped her life.Article content“I feel incredible fortunate to have the opportunity to grow and build a career in the skilled trades,” said MacInnis, a 32-year-old mother of two and level two apprentice.Article content“I grew up surrounded by people who worked in the trades and from a young age I had the opportunity to learn by working both with my grandfather, brother and my father. Being able to follow in their footsteps to become part of the trades is something I’m very proud of.Article content“I would not be where I am today without the support and opportunity that I’ve received including through the enhanced direct entry training program with the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council.”Article contentArticle contentSoholt believes the province is being proactive when it comes to the demand for skilled trades workers for the years to come.Article content“We know the forecast is such that it will exceed the available labour supply that we have today when projects become reality,” said Soholt.Article content“We’re planning now to be ready and the province is really looking forward with partners in the industry and the sector council as an example of how we get ready for these possibilities so that when the time comes where that shovel has to go in the ground, we have skilled, qualified and trained people to do the work.”Article content Young children had the opportunity to get introduced to several different skilled trades during an announcement for the location of the new Cape Breton Trades Exhibition Centre in Sydney on Wednesday morning. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Jeremy FraserArticle contentIn April 2025, the province announced a $10-million investment to support the construction industry, and part of that commitment was having a trades exhibition centre in Cape Breton.Article contentAbout $6-million from the province’s industry investment is earmarked to obtain renovation and operate the new facility over five years.Article contentAfter more than a year of weighing options, the decision to purchase a building instead of building a new one was made in June when the Ascendo Fitness building became available.Article contentArticle content“We pursued a couple of other locations that unfortunately didn’t materialize for what we were hoping they do could, but when this opportunity came up a few weeks ago, it checked all the boxes for what we were looking to do,” said Soholt.Article content“It’s central, it’s an area where people are familiar with, it has great bones to the building and has the right opportunities for the space and parking, and it really gave us the opportunity to jump on it.”Article contentWhile renovation work is needed for the building, Soholt hopes the Sydney facility will be up and running by September 2027.Article content“We’re looking at thousands of people a year visiting as we continue to have that level of engagement,” said Soholt. “Most folks can maybe list three, four or five, but we have 39 designated trades and that doesn’t even include all of the management opportunities.Article content“This facility is going to give them a chance to try all of them out and get a sense if a certain skilled trade is for them and if they want to pursue it and how.”Article contentOverall, the facility expects to engage about 25,000 visitors in the first five years through school visits, community groups, and public outreach.Article content Around 100 people gathered outside of the former Ascendo Fitness building for the announcement of the new location for the Cape Breton Trades Exhibition Centre in Sydney. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Jeremy FraserArticle content
New Cape Breton Trades Exhibition Centre to open in former Ascendo Fitness building in Sydney
