Full steam ahead for Annapolis Valley NSCC

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

The community college is looking to offer something for everyone.

Jim Stanley, principal of the Annapolis Valley campus of Nova Scotia Community College, offered an update during the last regular meeting of the Town of Middleton on February 4.

He described the college as a ‘vibrant institution’ and while there’s always room to grow, he told council that he is feeling good about the direction the school is taking.

“The college is strong and on the move,” he said. “There are soft spots we need to firm up, but overall it’s in good shape - great shape - you can be proud of it.”

According to Stanley, the combined student enrollment at the three sites totals 415; with 190 students at the Middleton campus, 185 enrolled at COGS in Lawrencetown, and 40 students attending classes at the Digby campus.

The college is always reviewing its programs and has recently added two skilled trades in Middleton: plumbing and heavy equipment operation. So far, both programs have been well received.

Stanley said the response to the heavy equipment operation program was so strong, a second class will be offered this spring.

The college also offers a number of highly skilled technology programs, like Geomatics, that attract students with post-secondary education. The college is now looking at ways of expanding this program and promoting it more aggressively across borders.

Stanley said the college is considering the feasibility of recruiting international students to these programs, but that additional supports would be required in the community to ensure success.

“We’re asking ourselves if we’re ready, can we support them with a welcoming environment?” he said. The college is also looking at introducing a program that will meet the growing need for continuing care workers, and the wellness sector.

“It’s a challenge to find the right mix of programs that will meet the needs of students here, and attract new students to the area,” he said. “It’s tough to carve a clear vision of the future, so we’ll continue to offer a broad range of programs.”

The college aims to increase its enrollment by approximately 12 per cent over the next few years. One of the challenges it faces in reaching this target is the higher than average number of students it already needs to recruit annually.

The large number of one-year programs offered at Middleton accounts for the high student turnover, according to Stanley. The local campus recruits about 80 per cent of its enrollment each year, while other campuses in the province annually recruit only about 50-60 per cent of their students.

To help new students ease the transition into postsecondary education, the college offers the opportunity to take college life for a ‘test drive,’ a chance to experience classes at NSCC.

The school also extends various levels of support to students with special considerations, such as mature students, or students with hearing disabilities.

NSCC maintains a high profile at various career fairs to recruit students from across the province, and even nationally. Stanley added that the best advertising is still done word of mouth.

“There’s nothing like a bad class to affect enrollment,” he said. “So we strive to offer excellence in teaching.”

Overall Stanley said with the growing shortage of skilled labour, it’s anticipated that by 2021 nearly 90 per cent of new jobs will require post secondary training. And with its comparably low tuition, NSCC is poised to prepare students with the skills needed in the changing workforce.