Workplace Education Courses

Join the leaders of the pack and upgrade your skills!

NSFA offers courses under the Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) to farm owners and employees during the winter months. The Workplace Education Initiative promotes learning at work and supports the development of your workers by increasing workplace skills.

The NSFA has offered Workplace Education programs throughout the province, and in recent times, virtually, thanks to the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. These 40-hour training sessions offer training around essential skills in financial management, communications, business plan development, and technology, just to name a few!

The Farm & Workforce Development team will coordinate WEI courses.

If you have ten to twelve participants, you can book a course for your business and employees, or individuals can join with other NS Federation of Agriculture members from across the province for online training. The online model allows participants to take the training from the comfort of their own homes and share thoughts, experiences, and knowledge with people around the province. Participants often find there are gems of wisdom from other participants as well as the course material presented by instructors.

Registration for the 2026 winter semester will take place in November 2025. Instructors will reach out to participants in December to do Individual Needs Assessments (INA’s) and the classes begin in January so they can finish in late March.

There are many courses available through the WEI. Check here for the list and let us know if there is a course that interests you by emailing our Training and Awareness Coordinator at mells@nsfa-fane.ca. If you’re interested in a topic not already included in the course list, please let us know that as well. New courses can be developed when there is interest.

The NS Federation of Agriculture supports our members by providing the opportunity to grow their skills and knowledge through Workplace Education Initiative courses. 

These courses are flexible, fully funded and customized to the class participants through individual assessments by instructors prior to the beginning of the courses.  The very interactive courses are delivered online and are typically 30 to 40 hours of instruction in groups of 10 to 12 participants, with one-on-one instruction available as well. Participants with at least 80% attendance and participation will receive a certificate upon course completion. 

The 2026 winter semester courses are as follows: 

Instructor: Rick McMullen 

Date & Time: Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, beginning January 14 

Course Topics and Description: This program has been developed for small to medium-sized businesses and provides you with an overview and understanding of how to grow a strong and profitable business. This is achieved by priming your business, strategically positioning your company, and then developing a strategy that focuses on optimizing profit through pricing, creating a marketing strategy, and assessing priorities for business growth.  

Standard Topics:  

Instructor: Barbara Flowers 

Date & Time: Tuesdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, beginning January 6 

Course Description: Doing business in 2025 is very different from how many of us operated even five years ago, especially when it comes to how we connect with employees and market to customers. In response to this, Communication Skills for Leaders is designed to support you in navigating through the changing trends around how people communicate in the workplace and marketplace. This program is also the cornerstone for attracting and retaining the right employees.  

Standard Topics: 

Instructor: Kelly Mitchell 

Date and Time: Thursdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm beginning January 15 

Course Description: Financial Fundamentals (Level I) is the fundamental program in the finance stream of Workplace Education and one program every business owner like you will want to have under your belt. Starting with key accounting terminology, you will be led step-by-step through the basics of the financial aspect of your business. In addition to understanding bookkeeping basics, you will be able to read, analyze and make financial decisions based on your company’s financial statements as well as know what needs to be done to comply with government reporting requirements.  

Standard Topics: 

Instructor: Lisette Jones 

Date and Time: Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm beginning January 15 

Course Description: This program is designed to provide you with a general overview and understanding of the role of HR in your company – whether you have one or 50 employees. In addition to laying the foundation for a practical HR system, the program will provide you with knowledge, tools and templates for recruiting, retaining and engaging employees whether you operate with staff working in person, remotely or under a blended model. 

Standard Topics:  

Instructor: David Johnson 

Date and Time: Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm beginning January 13 

Course Description: Do you have a special project you want to tackle (updating your website, automating your inventory, reorganizing your filing cabinets, moving locations, or hosting an open house) and are not sure where to start? Do you want the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a project as successful as you know it can be? If you answered Yes to one or more of these questions, Project Management Essentials would be a smart investment of your time. This program is designed to provide you with the fundamentals of Project Management with hands-on, practical know-how. In fact, to make your learning as relevant as possible, participants are asked to choose their own project to apply throughout the course.  

Standard Topics: 

Register for a course here 

Questions? Contact farmandworkforce@nsfa-fane.ca