Andrew Coates

Andrew Coates is the Senior Executive Director for Corporate Policy and Services with Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.

In his current role, Andrew is responsible for leading strategic policy, labour market development, and workforce planning across the province. His work spans a broad range of areas, including skills development, immigration strategy, labour market alignment, and initiatives that support economic growth and workforce participation. He is also responsible for advancing cross-government and cross-sector collaboration.

The department’s mandate includes strengthening workforce systems to respond to major economic opportunities, supporting employer and sector needs, and ensuring Nova Scotians have access to training and employment pathways. This includes work on apprenticeship and training programs, immigration streams, and labour market information to support evidence-based decision-making.

Andrew plays a key role in coordinating partnerships with industry, post-secondary institutions such as the Nova Scotia Community College, and other government departments to align workforce supply with demand.

Andrew has extensive experience in public policy and has held a number of senior leadership roles within the Nova Scotia government.  He holds a Master of Arts in Political Science as well as a Master of Public Policy.