Committed to community

NSCC Service Award 2024 Recipient

Howie Doiron (Carpentry ’93) represents NSCC’s values and mission to the benefit of the community and the province of Nova Scotia.

As a community-minded contributor, Howie lives a life of service in both his professional and personal lives. He is a long-serving champion for the College as a dedicated volunteer and a committed grad employer.

Carla Arsenault, the principal of Sydney Waterfront Campus, nominated Howie for this award because of his continuous commitment to the College.

“Howie has had a lifelong impact on NSCC through his countless volunteer hours with his work on the NSCC Board of Governors, and more recent volunteer role with NSCC Foundation on the campaign for the new Sydney Waterfront Campus,” she says.

While serving on the NSCC Board of Governors from 2016 to 2022, he eagerly took on various roles where he continually went above and beyond.

“I was Chair of the Programs Committee and enjoyed this role until I was asked to be Vice Chair and eventually Chair of the Board of Governors,” says Howie.

Without hesitation, Howie stepped up to support the NSCC Foundation in its fundraising campaign for the new Sydney Waterfront Campus. Helping to identify potential supporters for the campaign, he used his relationship to open the door to conversations about giving.

“This is my community, and I know how NSCC changes lives for the better, I want to see this on a daily basis,” says Howie.

Building his name in construction and helping others to do the same

With almost 25 years in Nova Scotia’s construction industry and as the current Regional Director with Lindsay Construction for Cape Breton, Howie has established himself as an industry leader.

“I grew up in Pomquet, a small Acadian village 10 minutes east of Antigonish. My father was a carpenter and superintendent, I followed in his footsteps to become a carpenter,” says Howie.

Graduating from NSCC’s Strait Area Campus in 1993 with a Carpentry diploma, he achieved his Journeyman Status and Red Seal in 1997.

“The technical training I received while taking Carpentry is the basis of my career. I was extremely lucky to be surrounded by incredible trades people who were willing to give me all the time I needed to learn skills from them” says Howie.

He later received an executive certificate in Construction Leadership from Dalhousie University, which was developed in partnership with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia and was the first of its kind in the country.

Whether it’s a coffee chat with an industry peer or mentoring someone in the early stages of their construction career, Howie has always been quick to help others.

“Without NSCC I could not possibly be where I am today professionally.  I want to help as many people have the same opportunity I had. Good training, hard work and a little good luck, and support from your family and friends and you can get there,” explains Howie.

Throughout his career, Howie has been a long-time NSCC grad employer, hiring dozens of alumni.

“I find NSCC students are a step ahead of the rest with real world experience and are ready to start work on day one,” says Howie whose wife and two sons are also NSCC alumni.

Giving back to his community

Howie has not only given his time over the years to the College, but also to countless organizations and charitable causes, most notably the Coats for Kids Campaign initiative.

He currently serves on the boards of the Cape Breton Partnership and the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association. He’s also a former board member for the Nova Scotia Construction Association.

Whether it’s his leadership role at work, one of his board positions or volunteer initiative he’s supporting, Howie goes above and beyond every chance he can.

“Howie is a leader who cares about people and works hard to improve his community each and every day,” says Carla.