Support for UCCB Petroleum Centre

A total of more than $1 million in funding was announced today for petroleum development and education initiatives at University College of Cape Breton.

Manning MacDonald, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate, said $600,000 will help fund the establishment of the UCCB Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Development and Petroleum Education. The money will come from the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification.

"UCCB has proven itself to be an innovative leader in education and program development," said Mr. MacDonald. "We are pleased to contribute to this important resource and recognize the university's key role in the economic development of Cape Breton island."

Joining Mr. MacDonald in making the announcement was Keith Brown, vice-president of Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. (ECBC), on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and ECBC. Dr. Brown announced ECBC will contribute $148,000 toward establishing a full-time directorate and operating plan for the centre.

In addition, Mobil Canada, lead partner in the Sable Offshore Energy Project, announced $250,000 for the project over five years, and the Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation announced a $25,000 contribution.

"We've worked diligently for some time to get to this point," said Jacquelyn Scott, UCCB president and vice-chancellor. "Our programming and an interim director are solidly in place and we will move forward from here. This is a significant show of support for our ability to turn plans into programs."

To meet the demand for trained workers, UCCB proposes to offer a three-tiered education program tailored to the needs of the petroleum sector. The Department of Extension and Community Affairs will offer a certificate in petroleum development and a certificate in petroleum operations, while a diploma in petroleum engineering technology and a bachelor of technology (petroleum) will be added to the existing programs in the School of Science and Technology. The bachelor's program will be the first such program offered east of Alberta.

"Retooling the public education system and focusing on initiatives that build skills and capacity are critical," said Dr. Brown. "The government of Canada is proud to support programs such as this which will help initiate the building of educational and technical infrastructure necessary to develop a labour force on Cape Breton island that can respond to the demands of the industry."

"The Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Development and Petroleum Education will offer a strong foundation for Nova Scotia's involvement in the petroleum sector," said Alan Jeffers of Mobil Canada. "Mobil is pleased to help build that foundation."

"UCCB's current programs and planned approach demonstrated strength and commitment to petroleum development and education, and we are pleased to support those efforts," said Barbara Hejduk, president, Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation.

UCCB's petroleum education program will also incorporate any need for retraining of Nova Scotians formerly employed in the more traditional resource-based industries. The centre will improve opportunities for meaningful employment in the petroleum industry in hands-on technology positions such as facilities and operations personnel, mechanical equipment specialists, planned maintenance personnel and problem-solvers.