Nova Scotia Community College Marconi Campus Expansion Announcement

EDUCATION--Nova Scotia Community College Marconi Campus Expansion Announced

More Cape Breton area students will have access to a post- secondary education close to home thanks to a $1.2-million expansion plan for the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

The Sydney campus investment will help create seats for 141 additional students, Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke and Ray Ivany, president of the Nova Scotia Community College, announced today, April 2.

"The Nova Scotia Community College plays a critical role preparing students for highly skilled jobs in growing industries," said Mr. Clarke. "Our economic development strategy specifically points to the NSCC as a key institution in creating a skilled workforce. Our investment here at the Marconi campus, and at other college facilities, is proof of our commitment."

The Marconi campus funding is part of the province's $123-million investment in NSCC's expansion plan.

"NSCC is committed to providing Nova Scotians with the applied skills and technical education they need to avail themselves of the full spectrum of employment opportunities Nova Scotia's economy now offers," said Mr. Ivany. "This investment is the catalyst which will enable the college's continued development, and its expansion across the province."

Through links with industry, NSCC has modified over 50 per cent of its more than 100 programs in the last five years, to help address the skills shortage in the province. Through expansion, NSCC will continue to build on its successful relationship with industry to improve the effectiveness of programming, and match programs to meet the needs of regional businesses.

"This investment is a real recognition that we have a national calibre college in Nova Scotia," said Dave MacLean, principal of the Marconi campus. "Marconi and Strait Area campuses are a piece of that quality, and the fact we will be able to increase enrolment even more provides Cape Bretoners with increased opportunities to access post-secondary education. We're ecstatic about that."

"After two years of study in a traditional science degree program, I enrolled in the process operations program at NSCC Marconi campus where I'm gaining skills I can apply in today's workplace," said student Ian Bishop. "I wish I could tell more of my peers about the great programs offered at NSCC."

Over the next seven years, 2,500 additional students -- an increase of 25 per cent -- will enter NSCC at its campuses across the province. Additional information about upgrading and renovations at other campuses is expected in the next few weeks.

This investment is part of the province's Skills Nova Scotia initiative. The initiative involves training and skills upgrading, from basic literacy to the use of the most sophisticated technologies.