Career Exploration for Youth
Presentations
Discover Nova Scotia’s boatbuilding heritage and marine industry in a free 30–60 min session.
Learn about:
• The province’s boatbuilding roots
• Careers in boatbuilding & marine service
• How to get certified in these growing trades
Great for O2 classes and youth groups—no boating experience needed!
Workshops and Site Visits
We offer a variety of hands-on, experiential workshops designed to engage learners of all ages, skill levels, and budgets. From team-based boat building challenges to detailed model making, and even constructing a full 12-foot skiff, our programs immerse youth in the exciting world of boat building while fostering creativity, teamwork, and practical skills. We can also help you connect and coordinate with one of our member organizations to take your experience further — including arranging site visits to see boatbuilding in action.
Career Fairs
The NSBA is always excited to participate in career fairs, job fairs, and other events where we can share information about opportunities in our industry. At these events, we bring interactive models of the boats used in our work and engage with students, teachers, and community members to spark interest in maritime careers. If you have an upcoming event, we’d love to be involved!
Explore Our 2025–26 Workshops
Build A Boat Challenge
Duration: 2.5 hours or 1 Double Period Block
Format: Team-based (Groups of 4 students)
Cost: $150 + tax for up to 30 students.
The Build a Boat Challenge is an interactive, hands-on workshop designed to introduce youth to the fundamentals of teamwork, business planning, and the maritime industry. Over the course of 2.5 hours, student teams launch their own "boat shop," taking on real-world roles: Boat Builder, Marine Service Technician, Shop Manager, and Sales Lead.
Throughout this engaging experience, students will:
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Develop essential teamwork skills by assigning roles and collaborating to reach shared goals.
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Explore business planning basics, including branding, slogan creation, and shop identity.
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Design, build, and test a model boat, tracking material and labor costs to manage their budget.
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Calculate profit margins to understand pricing and revenue concepts.
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Deliver a sales pitch to present their boat and business to peers.
This workshop offers a fast-paced and fun introduction to entrepreneurship, engineering thinking, and presentation skills all within a maritime context. Perfect for classrooms, career fairs, or youth programs, the Build a Boat Challenge equips participants with practical insights into real-world career pathways while fostering creativity and collaboration.
Model Boat Building Workshop
Duration: 1 day (5+ hours)
Format: Hands-on, individual or small-group activity
Cost: $50+ tax per participant
The Model Boat Building Workshop offers students an immersive, culturally-rooted experience in traditional wooden boatbuilding. Focusing on iconic vessels such as the Dory or the Northumberland Strait Lobster Boat (using Osborn Model Kits), this full-day workshop introduces participants to Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage while connecting them to real-world craftsmanship and trade skills.
During this interactive workshop, students will:
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Explore maritime history and culture, learning the origins and significance of the Dory and other traditional fishing boats.
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Gain exposure to boatbuilding terminology and techniques used by professionals in the industry.
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Build their own model boat, developing patience, precision, and attention to detail.
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Connect craftsmanship with modern trades, seeing how traditional skills translate into today’s marine careers.
Perfect for students with an interest in design, trades, or hands-on learning, this workshop engages both creative and detail-oriented thinkers while highlighting pathways into the boatbuilding and marine industries.
Building a Bevin's Skiff
Duration: 4 full days (plus optional launch day)
Format: Team-based, 4 students per boat (2 boats per project)
Cost: NSBA to cover most of the costs, schools/organizations are encouraged to pay what they can to support program sustainability
The Bevin's Skiff Boat Building Project is our most immersive, hands-on workshop—an unforgettable experience where students build a fully functional 12-foot wooden skiff from start to finish. Over the course of four intensive days, participants gain firsthand experience with the tools, techniques, and teamwork essential to traditional boatbuilding, including planing, shaping critical angles, and assembling each element of the vessel.
Students will:
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Engage in authentic trade skills, from woodworking fundamentals to precise boatbuilding methods.
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Collaborate as a team to construct two boats, each with four dedicated student builders.
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Experience the full process, from raw materials to a finished, launch-ready vessel.
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Celebrate their achievement with a launch day, sharing the success with peers, educators, and their community.
This program not only connects students to Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage but also builds confidence, problem-solving skills, and pride in craftsmanship. Workshops are offered 1–2 times per year and are selected based on student interest, school capacity, and local demand for boatbuilding—with preference given to communities with strong maritime ties.
If cost is a concern, please reach out — we’re happy to explore flexible options together
Please fill out this form to coordinate an experience with NSBA, or contact our Outreach Specialist Chenise directly at Outreach@NSBoats.com
Other Resources for Youth and Educators
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP
Nova Scotia has pathways for youth ages 16-19 to get started on an apprenticeship while completing high school and getting paid for on-the-job learning - all at the same time! Learn more about youth apprenticeship on the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency’s website.
