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Imperial Oil contributes $250,000 to NSCC to expand oil & gas curriculum
| Halifax, NS, October 20, 2003
| A landmark contribution to the NSCC (Nova Scotia Community College) Foundation will enable the NSCC to expand its oil and gas program and better meet the needs of industry. The Imperial Oil Foundation will contribute $250,000 to NSCC over the next five years to broaden the refinery operations content of the college's Process Operations Program at the Marconi Campus in Sydney.
"Imperial Oil is very pleased to be involved in the development of this new enhanced refining curriculum," says Barbara Hejduk, president of the Imperial Oil Foundation. "This investment will not only increase the capabilities and employability of current graduates, it will go a long way towards satisfying industry needs for skilled employees well into the future."
At present, the Process Operations program trains operation personnel for a wide range of processing industries, including: petrochemical, pulp and paper, natural gas processing, metallurgical, petroleum refining, utilities, and food and beverage production.
The enhanced curriculum, which is being developed with the input of Imperial Oil refiners, is expected to expand the skills and capabilities of graduates in order to meet specific needs of the petroleum refining industry. By 2005-06, NSCC will have the capability to offer a new specialized stand-alone refinery module which will be supported by state-of-the art training equipment.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the college and develop a new refining curriculum," says Brian Fairley, Manager of Imperial's Dartmouth Refinery. "Our industry has very specific operational requirements and having access to a new pool of skilled workers who have a specific knowledge and understanding of the refining business is invaluable."
The announcement and presentation to the NSCC Foundation was made at NSCC, Marconi Campus earlier today. The event provided an opportunity to learn first-hand how this investment will further diversify NSCC’s oil and gas program mix. In addition, guests spoke with students about their learning and career ambitions, and took part in a networking lunch with other community and business leaders.
The NSCC Foundation, established in 2001 works in close cooperation with NSCC Board of Governors, faculty and staff to generate new sources of revenue in order to fulfill our mission and provide NSCC students with a truly distinctive educational experience.
"NSCC’s Foundation goal is to secure investment in NSCC’s learning programs and infrastructure, which have become even more strategic and powerful in the midst of college development,” says Les Single, Chairman, NSCC Foundation. “The Foundation Board is very pleased with the focus Imperial Oil is placing on college students. In the process they’re acknowledging their skills, and the important roles they will play in the emerging economy.”
NSCC is in the midst of a $123 million development, enabled by an investment from the Government of Nova Scotia. It will support a multi-year plan to strengthen NSCC, enabling the College to modernize facilities, increase student capacity, and enhance skill-driven learning programs. For more information, go to www.nscc.ca
Imperial Oil is Canada’s largest integrated oil company and is the largest refiner of petroleum products in Canada. Imperial Oil’s Dartmouth Refinery has been a part of Nova Scotia's history for more than 80 years.
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