NSCC Cumberland Campus Expansion Announced

The Cumberland campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will soon have room for 21 additional students, thanks to $505,000 in upgraded facilities.

Announced today, April 7, the $505,000 in funding is part of the province's $123-million investment in NSCC's expansion plan.

"The expansion will provide more opportunities for our students to be successful in our workforce, enhancing their personal prosperity and growing our economy," said Education Minister Angus MacIsaac.

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.

"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 NSCC president Ray Ivany. "This investment is the catalyst which will enable the college's continued development, and its expansion across the province."

Student reaction to the announcement has been positive. "NSCC takes the time to prepare you for your career, and go above and beyond what you might expect from a learning institution," said Nancy Ripley, a student of early childhood studies at the campus in Springhill. "Another advantage of going to NSCC is that I'm close to home and I still get to spend time with my friends and family and spend extra time on my studies and projects."

"We will be working on renovating our space to improve our facilities, as well as increase capacity to support our enrolment," said Myrna Breen, principal of the Cumberland campus. This investment means that we can provide our students with an enhanced college experience."

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.