Friday May 18th, 2018 - Atlantic Canada's publicly-funded colleges' association has a new name, an expanded membership and a new strategic direction. The renewed association will promote the role of public colleges, and effectively collaborate to further economic and social development in Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Colleges Atlantique (ACA) succeeds the former Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium, and represents all seven public colleges in Atlantic Canada: New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Holland College, Université Sainte-Anne, Collège de l'Île and College of the North Atlantic (CNA).
“Atlantic Canada's publicly-funded colleges make a significant contribution to the economy and to their communities across Atlantic Canada,” said NBCC President and CEO Marilyn Luscombe, current chair of ACA. “As a regional organization, ACA has a strategic priority to raise the profile, brand and awareness of Atlantic Canada's public colleges, as well as influence public policy with regards to post-secondary education and training and strengthen the public college system in the region.”
Atlantic Canada's colleges welcome more than 57,000 full- and part-time learners annually at 40 campuses across the region. High percentages of graduates of these colleges are finding employment in the region, the majority in jobs related to their training. Colleges are responsive to meeting the aspirations of learners, as well as the changing needs of the labour market. Colleges work with industry and communities through specialized or contract training, problem-solving applied research and flexible program delivery models to support growing sectoral needs. The total impact of ACA institutions on the business community in Atlantic Canada in 2016-2017 was $6.2 billion. For perspective, this means that one out of every 18 jobs in Atlantic Canada is supported by the activities of ACA institutions.
“Atlantic Canada's public colleges are supportive and closely aligned to the priorities of the Atlantic Growth Strategy,” said Luscombe. “We are responding to the priorities of that strategy including addressing skill shortages; increasing international education and training; confronting climate change and moving to a low-carbon economy; increasing applied research and enhancing infrastructure.”
“Through Atlantic Colleges Atlantique, we can work collaboratively to move the region forward. Our recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on improving online apprenticeship training opportunities is an example of how collaboration can grow the Atlantic economy.”
Media Contacts
- Atlantic Colleges Atlantique: Byron James - Executive Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - New Brunswick Community College: Heather Allaby - Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Collège de l'Île: Dominique Chouinard - Directrice des Communications Dominique.chouinard@collegedelile.ca
- College of the North Atlantic: Heidi Staeben Simmons - Director of Public Affairs
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick: Johanne Lise Landry - Directrice des Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Nova Scotia Community College: Niki Toomey - Communications Advisor
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Holland College: Sara Underwood - Media and Communications Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Université Sainte-Anne: Rachelle LeBlanc, Directrice des communications et du marketing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.