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WHO WE ARE

Upward view of three colourful boat hulls and a bright blue sky

OVERVIEW

The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association was established in 1998 by a small group of leading boatbuilders who shared a common vision of growing and diversifying the industry beyond its original domestic fishing boat market.

NSBA’s mission is to support the success of our members in building, repairing, and selling quality boats. It does this by:

  • Promoting the industry to markets in Canada, the US and around the world;

  • Promoting industry careers;

  • Managing and administering the Nova Scotia Boat Builder and Nova Scotia Marine Service Technician Apprenticeship Programs;

  • Coordinating other training to meet industry needs;

  • Building partnerships with organizations who have aligned goals and values;

  • Representing the boatbuilding industry with various orders of government; and

  • Providing technical and market advice to boatbuilders and repairers.

 

The NSBA is the first point of contact for the boatbuilding and repair industry in Canada’s Maritime provinces.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive

Gilles Theriault

Chair

A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd.

Executive

Kris Campbell

Vice-Chair

Shining Waters Marine Services

Executive

Brett Robinson

Treasurer

Cheticamp Boatbuilders

Christa Specht

Director

E.Y.E. Marine Consultants

Fraser Challoner

Director

Wedgeport Boats

Kevin Feindel

Director

Lunenburg Shipyard

Colin Ross

Director

ABCO Industries

Jay Campbell

Director

Provincial Boat & Marine Ltd.

Kyle Carpenter

Director

Toromont Cat

Devin Mills

Director

Ocean Gear Inc.

Kevin Boon

Director

Shore Cycle & Marine

Lee Toole

Director

Maritime Marine Supply

NSBA TEAM MEMBERS

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Man standing with hand on boat engine

RECRUITMENT

Many industry employers continue to report labour market challenges including finding people and keeping people. The NSBA works to bring future employees to the industry and helps members be employers of choice so they can better attract and retain workers in a highly-competitive and evolving job market.

Man wearing tyvek coveralls and carrying industrial spray applicator

TRAINING

The NSBA supports the development of a highly-trained boatbuilding and repair workforce, from foundational skills training to apprenticeships to ongoing learning opportunities for seasoned professionals. Not only is this important for our members’ and our industry’s success, it also helps with attraction and retention.

Red Canada Coast Guard vessel in dry dock with other industrial structures around it and vegetation in foreground

MARKETING

The NSBA supports market growth and diversification and represents the industry at key trade shows, conferences and networking events. While there is high market demand for some products and services, it is important to maintain market diversity so all our members have strong business opportunities. It will keep us positioned to adapt to changes in future demand.

Two workshop participants building a small composite boat under an instructor's supervision

PARTNERSHIP

The NSBA engages relevant organizations as partners in success. This includes government departments and agencies - including regulators - as well as other nonprofit organizations and industry groups. Through these partnerships, the NSBA can increase its impact and effectiveness on behalf of our members and our industry.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS

Logo - Province of Nova Scotia
Logo - Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
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