NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus Expansion Announced

Students at both sites of the Annapolis Valley campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will soon benefit from $1.125 million in improvements that will upgrade student learning and social areas and create seats for 29 additional students.

The investment was announced in Lawrencetown today, April 9, as part of the province's $123-million investment in NSCC's expansion.

"Skilled workers are the key to Nova Scotia's prosperity," said MLA Frank Chipman, on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "The investment in the Annapolis Valley campus will create additional opportunities for more students to be educated and trained close to home."

"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."

As part of the $1.125-million investment, the sites in Middleton and in Lawrencetown will benefit from upgraded lighting and ventilation systems, and several safety and occupational health and safety renovations. NSCC in Middleton will receive a $750,000 investment and NSCC's Centre of Geographic Sciences in Lawrencetown will receive $375,000.

"Everyone at NSCC is excited about what this investment will mean for NSCC programs, students and facilities," said David Woolnough, principal of the Annapolis Valley campus. "We'll never forget the importance of this day for this province -- it marks a new era in post secondary education. Our ability to contribute to vibrant communities has been enhanced through this announcement, and that is good news for every Nova Scotian."

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.

Students see this investment as an added value to their current college experiences. "It is important to enjoy your college experience because college is a stepping stone that is intended to prepare you for a career," said Kathie Geauvreau, a human services student at NSCC in Middleton. "After graduating from NSCC, I am hoping to find employment in the field of educational support. I have three young children and it would not have been possible for me to go away to school. If it had not been possible for me to attend a college close to home I would not have been able to pursue my educational goals."

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.