Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
NSCC has a partnership with Maritime Forces Atlantic to deliver a Diversity Student Outreach Program. The aim of this program is to introduce grades 11 and 12 high school students from the four designated groups (Women, Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, and Aboriginals), to the Department of National Defence work environment. The program had the participation of 19 schools, including two located in First Nations communities. The program includes an orientation to Maritime Forces Atlantic, a workshop on career development, a visit onboard a naval ship, and tours of various occupations. Each student will use a 'skills passport’ to explore occupational fields throughout the week, including: administration, business planning, clerical, computer systems, engineering, electronics, general labour trades, ship repair trades, contract administration, ship’s crews and officers. Afterwards the students can be selected for an 8 week summer placement with DND to gain on the job experience in their targeted field. Based on the youth apprenticeship model, they are followed through high school and the following year they can apply to college in the appropriate program, knowing that upon graduation from the college program they are guaranteed a job with DND. The program also had the cooperation of the Public Service Commission which waved the regular requirements for entering the public service for participants in this program. This is an excellent example of a structured pathways approach.

10. Enhancing College and Institute Aboriginal Programs and Services

Colleges and institutes were asked to provide perspectives on how college and institute programs can be enhanced. The richness of the responses from mainstream and Aboriginal institutions demonstrates the depth of reflection many institutions are engaged in to better address the needs of Aboriginal learners living in their communities and regions. College and institute responses are categorized according to practices, approaches and policies adopted to address issues of student retention and program completion and to facilitate Aboriginal student introduction to and participation in the labour market. A third category is included to capture the suggestions which would be cross-cutting and include improvement of colleges’ and institutes’ general systems and policies.

How to enhance practices, approaches, services and programs aimed at student retention and program completion:

• Enhance Aboriginal student recruitment initiatives by:
  • Ensuring there are dedicated aboriginal recruitment services and staff, ideally at each college/institute campus responsible for serving Aboriginal learners.
  • Assisting students make better course selections and ensure they have the essential skills for the program and eventual career.
  • Offering to participate in career fairs and speak to high school students and their parents, with the understanding that this requires funding for travel to remote areas.
  • Offering an aboriginal ambassador program where current aboriginal students do presentations, community visits, trade shows in order to recruit aboriginal students.