Apprenticeship Launches Virtual Classroom

Apprenticeship training in Nova Scotia is taking a giant leap forward into the next millennium with today's launch of Refocusing Apprenticeship, a new "virtual campus" that makes apprenticeship training accessible through the Internet.

Refocusing Apprenticeship is a pilot project examining new approaches to delivering apprenticeship training. The goals of the project are to provide maximum access to training, while reducing travel for apprentices and training costs.

The virtual campus has been established using the latest in communications technology, providing apprentices with access to technical training through computers and the Internet. Classes combine user-friendly, interactive distance-education methods with part-time classroom learning and self-study.

The virtual campus means apprentices can access training at home, work, or any Internet access site in their community. Visitors can drop by the virtual campus at their cyberspace address: http://access.nscc.ns.ca.

Refocusing Apprenticeship is a joint project of the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture, Human Resources Development Canada, College de l'Acadie, the Nova Scotia Community College, and the University College of Cape Breton.

The launch takes place at 10 a.m. at the Institute of Technology Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, 5685 Leeds St., Halifax.