DEXTER INSTITUTE

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DEXTER INSTITUTE
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NSCC 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

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Campus 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
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History 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

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Mission
Building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of
life through education and innovation.
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Customized 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

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The Power of Partnerships

• Capacity-building
• Aliant
• NS Construction Safety Division
• Dexter Construction

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Municipal 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)

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What 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.

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Dexter 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

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Where 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.

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Why 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

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How 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.)

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• A series of tests (a written assignment, problem
  solving, spatial relations, reading comprehension
  and mechanical reasoning)
• A personal interview.

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NSCC 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

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Practicum 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

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Paid 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

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Benefits 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.

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Benefits 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).

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Keys 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

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The 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

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Additional Information
www.nscc.ca
www.municipalgroup.ca/dexterinstitute/
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• Questions?

QUESTIONS?
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Thank You