January 20, 2005 Halifax, Nova Scotia The Nova Scotia Community College's (NSCC) Aircraft Maintenance program is being upgraded to a two-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's diploma with enhanced training materials at its Shearwater address. The upgrade reflects recent industry trends, allowing graduates to meet Transport Canada's certification standards. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Nova Scotia Department of Education are each investing $500,000 to purchase the training materials required to meet these new standards. "This is an exciting development for the aerospace industry in Nova Scotia," said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan, who announced the funding on behalf of ACOA Minister Joseph McGuire. "NSCC is demonstrating that it has its finger on the pulse of the aerospace industry sector. Skilled graduates from the program will play a role in the industry's continued growth in Atlantic Canada." "Skilled workers are the key to Nova Scotia's prosperity and we have a role to play in preparing a job-ready workforce," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "The province is committed to working with our partners to address the critical issues of training, upgrading, retaining, and recruiting a skilled workforce in the aerospace sector and this program will help Nova Scotians get the education and training they need to live and work, here at home". "It is important to NSCC to deliver the in-depth programming that industry needs and with that in mind, we are pleased to be able to offer the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering program here in Nova Scotia," said NSCC Vice- President of Business Development Jeff Somerville. "We recognize the growth potential in aerospace, and through this new program, our graduates will continue to contribute great skill and knowledge to this dynamic industry." For broadcast use: The Nova Scotia Community College is upgrading its one-year Aircraft Maintenance Technician program to a two-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineer program. The improvement is in response to industry requests for graduates who meet the more stringent requirements of an Engineer's certificate. ACOA and the Nova Scotia Department of Education are investing $500,000 each in new training equipment for the college, which offers the course at the former Shearwater Military base. Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan, speaking on behalf of ACOA Minister Joseph McGuire, called the investment "an exciting development for the aerospace industry in Nova Scotia." Nova Scotia's Education Minister Jamie Muir called skilled workers "the key to Nova Scotia's prosperity." - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 David Harrigan Media Relations Officer ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 426-4238 Leanne Strathdee Communications Advisor Communications Nova Scotia (902) 424-0011 Sara Napier Communications Manager Nova Scotia Community College (902) 491-6781
