News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--COLLEGE BUSINESS PLAN
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Access to Quality Training Focus of College Business Plan
Oct. 20, 1995. In response to an $8.6 million federal funding
reduction over the next three years, the Nova Scotia Community
College has designed a business plan that makes quality and
access to training the first priority, Education and Culture
Minister John MacEachern announced today. The plan also
requires some campus restructuring and closures, limited to areas
where there are neighbouring or near-by campuses to protect
access, the minister said.
In releasing the business plan, Mr. MacEachern said the
federal reduction," which represents one in every five of our
public dollars, is a reality we cannot ignore. We have been
working carefully through the issues since the federal
government notified us this summer." He said the result is a
business plan with one clear focus: continuing to meet the
training needs of students and employers all across the province.
Jack Buckley, college president, said the federal reductions
required many tough choices. "he positive side is the renewal
process over the past two years has made the college stronger
than ever before," Mr. Buckley said. That progress, along
with this business plan, will enable us to manage through these
difficulties and ensure the sustainability of accessible,
quality training."
The major budget measures in the business plan affect the
Strait of Canso region, industrial Cape Breton, the Dartmouth
Adult Vocational Training Centre, Colchester Campus and Hants
Campus. There will also be some restructuring at the Institute
of Technology Campus in Halifax and at Shelburne Campus.
In the Strait region, marine industry programming will be
offered through customized training--- which is
cost-recoverable--- instead of core programs. Enrolments in
marine core programs have steadily declined," and marine training
needs can be more effectively met through programs specifically
customized to industry needs," Mr. Buckley said. The training
will be offered within a restructured, comprehensive campus at
the Nautical Institute site, as announced earlier this month.
One restructured campus will also serve training needs in
industrial Cape Breton. The new campus will be located at the
current Adult Volcational Training Centre, Cape Breton Campus,
which opened in 1977 and has more modern facilities, adaptable
to current and new training needs. The Sydney Campus, built in
1963 and expensive to maintain, will close. Programming from both
campuses will be reviewed, with decisions to be made in the new
year on what programs will be offered at the restructured
campus.
One of the four metro campuses, the Dartmouth AVTC, will
close. The AVTC is an older building and expensive to
maintain, and closure does not unreasonably affect access for
students. The Institute of Technology Campus in Halifax will also
be restructured. Savings are expected through streamlining
administration and by making better use of the high-technology
training, both in terms of aggressive marketing and more
flexible scheduling.
The Truro Campus, which is expected to accommodate 1,000
students when it is fully operational, will serve training
needs in the Colchester region. The Colchester Campus will close
and discussions are under way with the Colchester-East Hants
district school board about their possible interest in the building.
The Hants Campus will also close. The campus has a
relatively small enrolment and half of its budget is taken up
in administration, maintenance and overhead. Because students
served by the Hants Campus are less than an hour s drive from
the metro and Kingstec campuses, their training needs can continue
to be served without unreasonably affecting access.
The Shelburne Campus will become an associate campus of the
Burridge Campus, Yarmouth. The Shelburne Campus will continue
to offer core programs and customized training, along with
extension programs and Internet access for the community. However,
the campuses will have one principal, share administration and
student services, and look for opportunities to co-operate in
areas like customized training, marketing and
program delivery.
In terms of training opportunities for students, the college
expects an initial reduction of about 800 related to the
federal cutbacks. However, Mr. MacEacher said the college expects
to make up this shortfall as campuses continue to introduce new
programs. For example, he said this year 500 new training
seats were added as a result of College renewal, with the Burridge
Campus in Yarmouth increasing its enrolment by more than 50 per
cent. In future years, the Truro Campus enrolment alone is
expected to increase to 1,000 students when it is fully
operational.
The federal reduction will mean 150 fewer staff positions
within the college's current 1,100 positions. The college will
work to minimize the number of actual lay-offs as much as
possible, the minister said. For example, casual replacements,
term appointments and other avenues, under the collective
agreements, are being used to give employees who may eventually
be affected every opportunity for reassignment. Vacancies
created by retirements will also be examined as a means of
providing opportunities for some staff.
Final program decisions arising from the business plan are
expected in the new year. After that time, the college will
work with staff and unions on reassignment possibilities.
Changes will be implemented by July 31, 1996.
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Contact: Donna MacDonald, (902) 424-2615 or Len Canfield, (902)
424-2524.
NOTE TO EDITORS: BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING
902-424-4492.
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lm October 20, 1995
