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Demand grows for NSCC programs; wait lists continue to climb
October 1, 2009 – Media Release
Halifax, NS – The demand for Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) advanced skills training continues to grow faster than the College's capacity to accept new students.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, 10,433 students have enrolled in certificate or diploma programs within NSCC's five academic schools – Access, Applied Arts & New Media, Business, Health & Human Services and Trades & Technology. Another 2,500 fully qualified Nova Scotians were unable to access the programs they applied for due to limited capacity – a 25 per cent increase over last year.
NSCC wait lists continue to grow despite the fact the College is serving an additional 526 students this year through one-time funded programs designed to meet specific employer needs. These include Practical Nursing and Continuing Care Assistant programs funded by the Departments of Health and Labour & Workforce Development.
"As new long-term care facilities are built, we must ensure we have the appropriate number of skilled healthcare providers to care for clients," says Janet Knox, a member of NSCC's Board of Governors and President and CEO of the Annapolis Valley District Health Authority. "NSCC provides training in the very communities these skills are needed. The College is an essential part of the solution to the challenges posed by our aging population."
"Our goal as a provider of relevant post-secondary education is to help more Nova Scotians move from wait lists to the advanced skills training that will lead to career and life success," says Don Bureaux, Vice President, Academic for NSCC. "We have developed a master growth plan to address these wait lists and will continue to work with our funding partners to expand enrollment capacity in order to meet labour market demands. We were particularly pleased to hear the government's commitment to this expansion in its recent throne speech."
About NSCC
NSCC is a vibrant post-secondary institution committed to building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation. NSCC offers over 100 programs in five academic schools that reflect the labour market needs and opportunities of the provincial economy, and serves the province through a network of 13 campuses. According to NSCC's most recent survey of graduates (2008), 92 per cent of NSCC graduates are employed; 88 per cent in their field of study and 92 per cent go on to live and work in Nova Scotia.
For More Information
Natalie Kenrick
NSCC
Communications Specialist
(902) 491-2213
Kathleen Cameron
NSCC
Communications Specialist
(902) 491-4899
Stacey Baillie
NSCC
Director, Communications
(902) 491-6781
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