News release

Province Helps Students, Apprentices Access Mobile Training

Premier's Office

Students, teachers and employers across the province are getting access to mobile training equipment and labs so they have the tools they need to prepare for the good jobs that are coming.

The federal shipbuilding contracts alone will provide about 11,000 jobs and work for the next 30 years when the project hits its stride. The province is getting Nova Scotia workers ready to take advantage of opportunities.

"The province believes in investing in people - in education, training and skills for good jobs that are the foundation for a good future," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "We need to take advantage of this opportunity and make smart investments that will bring high-quality, hands-on training to Nova Scotians living in any corner of the province."

Mr. Dexter was in Sydney today, Oct. 23, to meet with students, employers and teachers to announce a $2.3-million investment that will help more Nova Scotians receive skills and training they otherwise would not be able to access.

This investment will provide NSCC with $775,000 for mobile training equipment and $1.5 million for a mobile training lab, both which can be used by students anywhere in the province, not just on campus.

"It's great to see the province and NSCC develop technology that will provide additional skills and training wherever it may be needed throughout the province," said Christopher Butler, NSCC student. "I know it will keep with NSCC's high standards of quality."

Employers of apprentices will also benefit from the mobile units, which can provide apprenticeship training where it had not been previously available.

These units can also be used at career fairs and high school demonstrations.

"These new training tools give NSCC the flexibility to respond to the needs of industry and the workforce to grow the economy," said NSCC president Don Bureaux. "These mobile training labs and simulators will give us the ability to continue providing flexible solutions to the training needs of Nova Scotia's industry."

The province has also established the Community Mobile Training Initiative to help reach Nova Scotians who can not get to a campus location to acquire or upgrade skills.

"These programs give learners in remote communities, and those in underrepresented groups, a unique opportunity to access the training needed to take advantage of the biggest opportunities in the province's history," said Premier Dexter. "This ensures Nova Scotians have access to the right training anywhere in the province."

The mobile training lab will be ready to provide students with nationally accredited training in fall 2014.