Expanded NSCC Akerley Campus Opened

Hundreds of students -- including future chefs, hospitality professionals and high-tech welders -- are benefiting from a $5- million renovation at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Akerley Campus.

The expanded facility, which was officially opened today, Nov. 24, by Premier John Hamm, is the first completion in the Halifax Regional Municipality of NSCC's multi-year, $123-million development project made possible by the government of Nova Scotia.

"This renovation marks the beginning of new training opportunities for hundreds of Nova Scotians in Dartmouth and the entire Halifax Regional Municipality," said Premier John Hamm. "As a government, we are proud to see this important provincial investment result in such a positive outcome."

"This is our first completed construction project in metro, and what's so fascinating is that it is a true example of the wide diversity of NSCC programming," said NSCC president Ray Ivany. "Progressive enhancements to college such as the completed culinary and welding facilities at Akerley Campus will enable more Nova Scotians to develop their potential by acquiring an applied education that is linked to careers of economic growth in our province."

The $5-million project includes the construction of a sophisticated welding facility with 40 work bays, and new culinary facilities with modern learning spaces to benefit 350 students in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, boulangerie, food and beverage management, tourism and hospitality management, apprenticeship, and in part-time studies programs such as sommelier and gourmet cooking. In addition to formal learning space, the renovated areas also provide new central areas for students, including a cafeteria that accommodates hundreds every day, and a gourmet dining room that is operated by students for paying customers to enjoy.

Careers in welding, hospitality and culinary professions are among the top 50 growth occupations in Nova Scotia. Eighty-eight per cent of NSCC graduates are employed, and 95 per cent of those graduates are living and working in Nova Scotia.

Current NSCC students recognize the opportunities.

Jill Burchell, a hospitality student at NSCC, Akerley Campus is looking forward to her career. "The changes under way at NSCC are important because students today need to have a modern and ever- evolving learning space that duplicates the real work world -- that's what college needs to be and that's what I experience every day at NSCC's Akerley Campus."

Welding student, Colin MacDiarmid agreed. "When I was first thinking about career choices, I tried accounting, but I decided an office job wasn't for me. Now I know exactly what I'm going to do in the future. NSCC, Akerley Campus is helping me achieve my goals due to the quality of the faculty and the modern learning facilities."

Partners agree this development is an opportunity to profile the culinary and tourism industry and build on relationships. "I believe this is an educational breakthrough," said Danny Delorme, president of the Nova Scotia's Chefs' Association and a graduate of NSCC. "The new facility will result in stronger programs, higher enrolment in the sector, increased involvement in apprenticeship, and it will create more opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the association and NSCC."

In addition to educating 40 welders on a full-time basis every year, the new facilities at Akerley Campus will also be used for apprenticeship programs, and specialized training for professionals interested in advancing skills in specific specialty areas such as offshore fabrication projects that often require exotic metal training.

"The new welding facilities at NSCC, Akerley Campus support the development of a quality, home-grown Nova Scotian labour force for onshore and offshore fabrication," said Sean Leet, president, of EC Industries. "We regularly employ work-term students completing NSCC's welding program. Their skills and knowledge are a tribute to the learning facilities and quality of the instruction at the college."

In March 2003, the provincial government announced a $123- million, multi-year investment in NSCC, including a $5-million enhancement to Akerley Campus, which is the largest campus in NSCC's provincewide network. This investment is enabling the college to modernize facilities, increase student capacity, and enhance skill-driven learning programs across the province. At the end of the first phase of the development project, in 2007, NSCC will have the capacity for 4,000 students at three campuses in HRM. The total provincewide capacity will increase to 10,000 students annually.

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