New Tools Chart Innovative Course for Marine Talent and Industry in Nova Scotia
News Release
Government of Canada invests in leading-edge infrastructure at Nova Scotia Community College Strait Area Campus
November 14, 2017 – Port Hawkesbury, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Safety is a critical consideration for commercial shipping, the fisheries and other offshore activities. Ensuring that marine navigation and engineering students have access to sophisticated training equipment contributes to safe, efficient workplaces that help protect individuals and the marine environment. With support from the Government of Canada, the Strait Area Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) has upgraded the Nautical Institute’s navigation simulator and acquired a new marine voltage simulator, creating additional training opportunities to better prepare students for the industry’s highly skilled jobs.
Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, was in Port Hawkesbury this afternoon to announce the project on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The Government of Canada has contributed $849,170, through ACOA’s Innovative Community Fund, supporting upgrades at NSCC, including new digital software that simulates ice conditions and Arctic navigation, facilitating work with industry in the Northwest Passage. The upgraded training equipment will help NSCC close skills gaps by providing its students with the leading-edge tools they need to succeed in the economy of the future.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in initiatives that address labour market needs, such as developing, deploying and retaining a skilled workforce to create opportunities for all Atlantic Canadians and grow the middle class.
Quotes
“Canada’s greatest asset is its skilled, hard-working, creative and diverse workforce. NSCC’s focus on innovation prepares our workforce for the well-paying jobs of today and tomorrow—and arms local industries with the tools they need to compete in the global economy. The Government of Canada is pleased to support NSCC Strait Area Campus as it acquires new technology to develop skills, enrich key sectors, and build Canada as a world-leading innovation economy.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Innovation is critical to Atlantic Canada’s economic success, and job prospects in the commercial marine sector are significant. This project enhances the world-class training available at NSCC’s Nautical Institute, helping Nova Scotians continue to gain lucrative careers at sea.”
- Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso
“NSCC is committed to infusing leading-edge technology into all of our learning opportunities. For over 140 years, the Nautical Institute at our Strait Area Campus has prepared cadets for successful careers at sea by immersing them into a learning environment like no other. The new Marine Voltage Simulator is an important addition to our on-site, hands-on-approach to learning, which allows our cadets and industry partners to access national and international standard training.”
- Don Bureaux, President, Nova Scotia Community College
Quick Facts
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The Nautical Institute is the oldest Marine Training Institution in Canada dating back 145 years.
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The Nautical Institute attracts students from across Canada and around the world.
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The Government of Canada’s continued support for NSCC – in Port Hawkesbury and across the province – prioritizes skills development, job creation and innovation across industry sectors, including clean technology, clean energy, viticulture, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, marine, manufacturing and more.
Contacts
Lori Selig
Acting Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-266-7477
E-mail: lori.selig@canada.ca
Niki Toomey
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Community College
Phone: 902-476-1004
Email: Niki.Toomey@nscc.ca