NSCC collaborating with institutions in Belize, Kenya and Canada to help bridge skills gaps
Jan. 27, 2022 – Media Release
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) has been selected to implement three new externally funded international Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) projects with partners in Belize, Kenya and Canada.
“NSCC is a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and we recognize that as educators, we have a responsibility to play a central and transformational role in reaching these goals by 2030,” says NSCC President Don Bureaux. “Engaging in these kinds of projects is one of the important ways the College contributes to these goals.”
Skills to Access the Green Economy
The two-year Skills to Access the Green Economy through TVET (SAGE) project in Belize is financed by the Multi-Donor Fund for the Transformation of TVET of the Inter-American Development Bank. The goal of the project, which began this summer, is to close the skills gap by upgrading current basic trades training to advanced training in the renewable energy and energy efficiency field of study. NSCC will be developing and delivering the new courses with Belize City’s Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET).
Young Africa Works in Kenya
The Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET program is implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in partnership with Mastercard Foundation to strengthen the quality and relevance of TVET institutions and systems in Kenya. NSCC will partner with Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Coast Institute of Technology, and Weru Technical and Vocational College in Kenya, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Vancouver Community College in Canada to enhance programming in hospitality and tourism, and building and construction. A second partnership, focused on enhancing aquaculture and fisheries programming, will involve Kisumu National Polytechnic and Mawego Technical Training Institute in Kenya, along with NSCC, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and Seneca College in Canada. These partnerships, which got underway in July 2021, are set to be completed in 2025.
“Sharing NSCC employee expertise in technical and vocational education with partners around the world is part of our values as an institution," says NSCC International Director Katie Orr. "We know this collaborative work leads to new ways of thinking, innovation and problem-solving with the partner institutions and here at home."
NSCC’s externally funded international technical assistance projects are part of its internationalization strategy. You can read more on the College’s international work in the 2021 NSCC International Results Report (PDF 5.6 MB).
About NSCC
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 130 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Programs are offered through five academic schools – Access, Education and Language; Business and Creative Industries; Health and Human Services, Technology and Environment; Trades and Transportation – and reflect the labour market needs and opportunities in Nova Scotia. NSCC's primary goal: student success. An annual survey of College graduates shows that 91% are employed one year after graduation, most in their field of study, with 90% of those employed living and working in Nova Scotia.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. Learn more at mastercardfdn.org
About Young Africa Works
Young Africa Works is Mastercard Foundation’s strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work. Africa will have the largest workforce, with 375 million young people entering the labour market by 2030. With the right skills, these young people will contribute to Africa's overall competitiveness and improve their lives and those of their communities.
Mastercard Foundation will implement the Young Africa Works program in 10 African countries in partnership with governments, private sector, business leaders, educators, and youth. In the initial phase, the countries identified by Mastercard Foundation include Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda. Learn more at mastercardfdn.org
For more information
Kathleen Cameron, Manager of External Relations, NSCC
902-499-7844,
Helen White, Strategy Lead for Program Communications, Mastercard Foundation