Nova Scotia Power funds award in honour of Doreen Parsons to support women in trades and technology at NSCC

May. 24, 2023 – Media Release

Halifax, NS -- Today at NSCC’s Institute of Technology Campus, Nova Scotia Power announced their funding to support the Doreen Parsons Legacy Award through the NSCC Foundation. The award supports alumni of the Women Unlimited (WU) program at the College while honouring Doreen’s legacy as the founder and former CEO of the Women Unlimited Association.

The award will support four awards annually at $1,000 each to WU alumni in any year of study enrolled in any program within the Schools of Technology and Environment or Trades and Transportation at the College. Doreen Parsons is a trailblazer for uplifting and empowering women throughout her career, helping over 1,000 diverse women to date by founding the Women Unlimited Association. In honour of Doreen’s retirement, Nova Scotia Power is supporting this award to continue her legacy of supporting women in trades and technology.

“Women Unlimited has been a game changer for so many women looking to break ground in the trade and technology industry,” says Lia MacDonald, Vice President, Customer Experience and Innovation, Nova Scotia Power. “We are so grateful for the work of the organization and the people and talent that have grown from their efforts, some of whom we are fortunate enough to have as on our team at Nova Scotia Power. We are pleased to continue supporting this great work to break down barriers and advance education in communities right here at home in Nova Scotia.”

“This award not only helps women graduating from WU, but it also celebrates the progress we’ve made too,” said Vivian Dixon, Program Director, Women Unlimited. “Doreen has changed the lives of many through her commitment to helping women pursue careers in the trades and technology sector. We appreciate Nova Scotia Power’s support and recognition of her commitment by establishing the award and look forward to the impact it will make.”

To learn more and apply to the Women Unlimited Program at NSCC, visit womenunlimitedns.ca.

Current NSCC students and confirmed applicants can learn more and apply for these awards by visiting nscc.ca/awards.

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 140 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; and Trades and Transportation. These reflect Nova Scotia’s labour market needs and opportunities. An annual survey of NSCC graduates shows that 91% are employed one year after graduation, most in their field of study, with 93% of those employed living and working in Nova Scotia.

About Nova Scotia Power

Nova Scotia Power Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX-EMA), a diversified energy and services company. Nova Scotia Power provides 95% of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power to approximately 540,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across Nova Scotia. The company is focused on new technologies to enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions and add renewable energy. Nova Scotia Power has over 2,000 employees and $4.5 billion in operating assets. Learn more at nspower.ca.

About Women Unlimited

Women Unlimited is a premier program in Canada supporting diverse women to build careers in the trades and technology (T&T) fields where they have been historically underrepresented. The success of Women Unlimited is achieved by supporting diverse women along a multi-phased pathway — from diversity recruitment, to career exploration in T&T fields, supporting them through college-level T&T training, supporting their transition to employment and once employed, through apprenticeship to certification.

Since 2006, Women Unlimited has supported close to 1,000 diverse unemployed and/or underemployed women from across the province to build sustainable careers in T&T.

For more information

Derek Blois, Communications Associate, NSCC Foundation
902-430-8541,

Jacqueline Foster, Senior Communications Advisor, Nova Scotia Power
902-233-6015,

Patricia Brooks Arenburg, Industry Communications Advisor, Women Unlimited
782-406-3606,