NSCC Shelburne Campus Enhancements Announced
Students at the Shelburne campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) will soon benefit from $355,000 in improvements that will upgrade student learning areas and facilities.
The investment was announced in Shelburne today, April 11, 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 Cecil O'Donnell, on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "The investment in the Shelburne 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."
About $205,000 of the investment will be directed towards safety issues and structural work, while $150,000 will be used to enhance the college experience, including upgrades to the cafeteria, and the Centre for Student Success.
"This is positive news for NSCC programs, students and facilities," said Marcel Cottreau, principal of the Burridge and Shelburne campuses. "We'll never forget the importance of this provincewide investment -- it marks a new era in post secondary education. Our ability to contribute to vibrant communities like Shelburne County 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.
"This is an exciting time for all NSCC campuses. The diversity of the NSCC facilitates a more intimate connection between metro and smaller areas, such as Shelburne," said Lisa Buchanan, a business administration student and member of the student association at Shelburne campus. "This recent investment demonstrates the confidence that the Nova Scotia government has in the college as an institution, and will enhance the opportunities for advancement of all students and their communities."
Over the next seven years, 2,500 additional students -- an increase of 25 per cent -- will enter NSCC at its campuses across the province.
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.