News release

Province Invests in Windmill Blade Training Program

Labour and Workforce Development (April 2008 - Jan. 2011)

The provincial government is investing in the jobs of tomorrow.

A $150,000 investment from the Department of Labour and Workforce Development will help Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) develop a program to train workers to build windmill blades.

"We are helping Nova Scotians prepare for new and challenging manufacturing careers," said MLA Clarrie MacKinnon, on behalf of Labour and Workforce Development Minister Marilyn More today, Oct. 20. "This investment is smart, strategic and takes advantage of emerging opportunities."

Premier Darrell Dexter, during a trade mission to South Korea this week, announced Nova Scotia Power and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) have signed a letter of intent to work together to build and deploy made-in Nova Scotia wind towers and blades across the province.

Windmill blades are made from composites, a combination of fibres and resins used to build strong, light and durable parts. Composites are also used in Nova Scotia's aerospace and boat-building industries, however, large windmill blades require new skills, procedures and training.

"Nova Scotia Community College has long been a leader in preparing people to work in emerging industries across the province and today's curriculum development investment will continue that tradition," said David Freckelton, principal, NSCC Pictou.

The course will expand on NSCC's existing composites curriculum to reflect the needs of the windmill industry. The course will train workers hired by the Trenton-based arm of DSME.

The course is expected to run for six weeks and the curriculum should complete by mid 2011.

DSME Trenton will employ hundreds of workers when it is fully operational.

The $150,000 investment comes from the Strategic Training and Transition Fund, through the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement.