Title: DEXTER INSTITUTE
1DEXTER INSTITUTE
2NSCC An overview
- 12 campuses at 15 sites strategically located
throughout Nova Scotia - 9000 full-time students
- 140 Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma
programs offered through 5 Academic Schools - 30,000 part-time students enrolled in Customized
Training, Continuing Education, Online Learning
and Apprenticeship offerings - Business Development Customized Training
Part-time Studies Centre for International
Activities Energy Group Applied Research
3Campus Locations
Marconi Campus
Pictou Campus
Cumberland Campus
Kingstec Campus
Annapolis Valley Campus
Truro Campus
Strait Area Campus
Akerley Campus
Institute of Technology Campus
Lunenburg Campus
Burridge Campus
Shelburne Campus
4History of NSCC
- 1960-1988 Secondary vocational technical
training system - 1988 Establishment of a community college
system for NS - 1996 Board governance
- 1998 First Strategic Plan
5Mission
Building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of
life through education and innovation.
6Customized Training at NSCC
- Vehicle to support local and provincial economic
development strategies - Promotes access and opportunity for lifelong
learning - Provides flexible, responsive training and HR
development solutions for companies and
communities - Defrays 10 of NSCCs operating budget
7The Power of Partnerships
- Capacity-building
- Aliant
- NS Construction Safety Division
- Dexter Construction
8Municipal Group of Companies(DEXTER CONSTRUCTION)
- Diversified Construction Company
- (Environmental Remediation, Capital
Infrastructure Works, Road building) - Employee Base of approximately 1100 employees
- Work predominately in Maritime Provinces but also
international (Brunei and Caribbean)
9What is the Dexter Institute?
- The Dexter Institute was formed in July, 2001
when Dexter Construction and Nova Scotia
Community College launched an innovative program
to address the skills shortage of human capital
in heavy construction in Nova Scotia. Dexter
Construction, part of the Municipal Group of
Companies, identified that the best way to
sustain its workforce is to become part of the
training process. Recognizing that the Community
College had the training skills and Dexter
Construction had the industry experience, a
partnership was formed to provide Dexter
Construction with a skilled labour force that
came to the job already familiar with Dexter
Construction culture and equipment.
10Dexter Institute of Heavy Construction
- 2 year program strategic partnership with NSCC
- Students mix of learning methods
- Classroom time - NSCC
- Practical training
- Paid work experience
- Guaranteed Employment upon graduation
- Retention Bonus
11Where did the idea come from?
- The idea came from the simple question asked by
our owner - If we cant find enough trained people, why
cant we train our own people? - Not one individual involved had an answer stating
that we could not.
12Why Dexter implemented the Dexter Institute
- Lack of qualified applicants due to the stigma of
the industry. - Aging Workforce
- Company was in a period of growth
- Rapid adoption of new technology
- Lack of skilled people internally
- Operational talent
- Front-Line supervisor capabilities
13How are students selected?
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- 19 years of age before program completion
- Hold a valid driver's license
- Cover letter (Stating why you are interested in
the Dexter Institute of Heavy Construction
Program) - Personal Resume
- Reference Letter (At least one reference from
either a former employer, community group, coach,
educator, industry, etc.)
14- A series of tests (a written assignment, problem
solving, spatial relations, reading comprehension
and mechanical reasoning) - A personal interview.
15NSCC Classroom Learning
- Intro to Heavy Construction Equipment
- Applied Math I II
- Project Management
- Introduction to Construction Safety
- Portfolio Development
- Safety Training (WHMIS, First Aid, Trenching
Awareness, fall protections, etc.)
- Communications
- Human Relations
- Intro to Technical Writing
- Computer Fundamentals
- Intro to Construction Tech
- Basic Blueprint Reading
- Intro to Survey Techniques
- Electrical Awareness
- Blasting Awareness
16Practicum Training
Practicum training is conducted at Dexters own
class room and is taught by our own employees.
- Safety Training
- Equipment Maintenance
- Subdivision
- Small Equipment
- Paving
- Grader / Roller
- Pipe Laying (Water Sewer)
- Heavy Equipment Theory
- Heavy Equipment Training
- Surveying
- Traffic Control / Signing
- Concrete
- Laser Leveling
17Paid Work Term
- June Dec 1st each Year
- Work Experience
- Quarry
- Envirosoil
- Asphalt Crews
- Concrete Crews
- Equipment Operation
- Subdivision Development
- Traffic Control
- Labourer
- Pipe Laying
- Surveying
- Costing / Estimating
18Benefits to Student
- Guaranteed Employment in a growing industry
- Work Assignment expose individuals to all aspects
of civil construction (better overall knowledge). - Students get to try out different areas of
civil construction to see what they like to do. - Retention Bonus (tuition reimbursement)
- Receive a diploma upon graduation.
- Career with a future. Opportunities for growth.
19Benefits to Dexter
- Instill corporate culture
- Improved safety
- Inflow of talented/ qualified people to ensure
future growth - Attract students in formative years (career
choice) - Develop a flexible workforce (cross-training)
- Provide a vision for career growth (i.e. future
leaders).
20Keys to Success
- Realistic expectations for both students and
company - Top management support
- Communication (to reduce fear of the unknown)
- Buy in from supervisory staff (need to see how it
benefits them) - Relevant training material
- Flexibility in the design of the program to
address changes in the industry
21The results.
- The program is in its sixth year
- 150 students have enrolled
- 59 graduates
- Graduate retention rate of approx 87
- Supervisors are requesting students for their
crews prior to graduation
22Additional Information
www.nscc.ca
www.municipalgroup.ca/dexterinstitute/
23QUESTIONS?
24Thank You