News Release

For immediate release
May 17, 2002

MAJOR INVESTMENT IN TRAINING PROGRAMS AT NSCC,
MARCONI CAMPUS 

SYDNEY, N.S. – The ability of Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Marconi Campus to meet the educational and training needs of people seeking employment in the growing economic sectors of information technology and oil and gas has been greatly enhanced with assistance from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, announced funding for program enhancements today at NSCC, Marconi Campus.

NSCC, through a partnership with the Government of Canada, has installed high-tech infrastructure at its Marconi Campus allowing for new programs and customized training for the petroleum industry. Students benefiting from this infrastructure are presently enrolled in the Process Operations Program that teaches processing and drilling technologies used in the offshore oil and gas industry. Additional oil and gas programming will expand, on a continuous basis, to meet the labour market demands by providing students with an awareness of the skills, discipline and dedication required to be successful in this evolving field. 

To create this high-tech offshore learning environment at NSCC, The Government of Canada contributed a total of $960,000. The contributions include $450,000 from the Fisheries Restructuring Adjustment Measures (FRAM) Program, $320,000 from the Business Development Program and $190,000 from ECBC. 

The Government of Canada has also invested $183,000 in the Information Technology Diploma at NSCC, Marconi Campus. This funding, which will be used to purchase new hardware and software, has also been provided through the Fisheries Restructuring Adjustment Measures (FRAM) Program.

As a result of this investment students will develop skills in the installation and troubleshooting of hardware and software, in both networked and stand-alone environments. They will also be able to remain current with emerging Internet technologies.

"One of the keys to Nova Scotia benefiting from the emerging petroleum industry and the information technology sector is the availability of a skilled work force. The partnerships between government and the education sector seen in the projects announced today, make the necessary training opportunities available for Nova Scotians," said Minister Byrne. "The Government of Canada is pleased to work in partnership with progressive organizations like the Nova Scotia Community College as it strives to meet the skill development needs of a changing work force.”

“Oil and gas and the IT sectors are opening doors to new opportunities on Cape Breton Island. These program enhancements will enable people to access the training they need,” said Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria. 

“The economy of Cape Breton Island is changing and the Government of Canada, through projects like these, is providing people with an opportunity to pursue careers in new and exciting fields,” said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d’Or – Cape Breton.

"We view the support from the Government Canada for these programs and equipment as recognition for our proactive efforts to respond to the economic development strategies of the province," said Robbie Shaw, Vice-President of Partnerships and Innovation, NSCC.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

NSCC is a dynamic college with the mission to build Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation. Committed to the life-long, high-quality, and accessible applied learning of Nova Scotians, NSCC consists of over 20,000 students, within a network of 13 campuses, and several community learning centres, and offers a broad range of diploma, certificate, and general interest programs. Due to our linkages with partners, NSCC is recognized as a primary labour market development partner in Nova Scotia, particularly within growth sectors such as oil and gas.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter A.H. Graham, Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
ACOA and ECBC
(613) 957-9959

D.A. Landry 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-3617

Dave MacLean, Principal 
Nova Scotia Community College, Marconi Campus 
(902) 563-2344

Sara Napier
NSCC, Marketing & Communications
Tel: (902) 491-6781