NSCC Lunenburg Campus Expansion Announced

Students at the Lunenburg campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will soon benefit from more than $1 million in improvements that will upgrade shop facilities and create seats for 187 additional students.

Announced today, April 3, by Transportation Minister Michael Baker and NSCC president Ray Ivany, the $1,055,000 in funding is part of the province's $123-million investment in NSCC's expansion plan.

"Skilled workers are the key to Nova Scotia's prosperity," said Mr. Baker. "Improvements to the Lunenburg campus will allow more students to stay in the area while completing the training they need to be ready for the jobs of the present and the future."

"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."

"This is a wonderful announcement for the staff and students of Lunenburg Campus and the people of Lunenburg and Queens," said Cathy MacLean, principal of the Lunenburg Campus. "We will be working on renovating our space to provide more access to student services as well as upgrading shops and the building envelope. This investment means that we can provide our students with an enhanced college experience."

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 will improve the overall student experience on our campus," said Kris MacEachern, president of the student association at the Lunenburg Campus. "My time as a student here has been a personal journey that has helped me develop as an individual and a leader. Enhancing the college experience and increasing enrolment will allow more students access to these opportunities so they can begin their own journey to success."

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.