Premier visits with Fossil Cliffs training program participants

January 3, 2007

 

River Hebert- Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald met with participants in a tourism training program when he visited Cumberland County on Wednesday, January 3.

Premier MacDonald was at River Hebert District High School to visit with participants in the Joggins Fossil Cliffs Essential Skills Development and Training Program. He was accompanied by Justice Minister and Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott.

Fifteen participants are involved in the 26-week program which is designed to help individuals gain successful employment in the tourism sector within Cumberland County. Topics being covered include general knowledge of the industry, local knowledge of the community, customer service, communications, and a wide range of professional skills. Specific geological training pertinent to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs will also make up a portion of the curriculum. Students will also gain practical experience with a six-week work placement within the tourism industry.

Funding partners include the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, Service Canada and ACOA. Delivering partners include Nova Scotia Community College-Cumberland Campus and the River Hebert District High School.

The unique partnership with the high school will see money donated for a Student Wellness Centre. Students will help design the centre which will provide them with a relaxing, non-threatening environment where they can get assistance with courses, career planning, health information, and information to assist with other issues. All of the equipment bought for the tourism training program will be donated to the school at the end of the program.

Earlier in the day, Premier MacDonald was at Northport Elementary School to update Northumberland Shore residents on the implementation of high speed Internet service for the Tidnish to Port Howe area. The communities have been selected for a pilot project that will look at ways to bring high-speed Internet service to rural and remote areas of the province.

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