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With a community college tradition of providing a trained workforce for New Brunswick employers stretching back nearly a century, NBCC Woodstock continues to provide high-quality programs aimed at producing well-trained graduates who are ready to join today's and tomorrow's workforce.

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NBCC-W CST Greg Connor

NBCC-W CST Brock Kerr

NBCC-W CST Logan Schofield

And as the workplace evolves – as well as the skills that are required – so does the college.

The increased use of information technology (IT) in the learning process is just one example. New courses and programs are another. The computer systems technician (CST) program, which was new to NBCC Woodstock for 2007/2008, is a perfect example.

Program instructor Blaine Tompkins says, "Trade journals are talking about the rebirth of IT.''

"These students can expect to start in almost any entry-level IT position. The future job prospects in this province are very good."

CST student Chris Lee agrees.

"I think everyone of us should be prepared for a job in this field. It's a good foundation."

Tompkins notes that the CST students also have the option to write internationally recognized certification exams, such as CompTIA A , CompTIA Network and MCDST.

The 19 students graduating last month from the one-year program range in age from high-school graduates to people in their 50s. Tompkins says there are no prerequisites, other than a high-school diploma, as the program is taught right from the basics up. The students have a thorough grounding in subjects ranging from computer hardware and operating systems – both Windows and Apple Macs – to networking, VB.net and the fundamentals of Web design. As well as classroom theory, the emphasis is firmly on gaining hands-on experience.

Among other things, students designed and implemented wireless networks and produced Web site designs. Carolynn McMaster's Web design for the Carleton County Animal Shelter was chosen to be the basis for the local charity's new Web site – see http://www.carletonanimalshelter.com/.

Not surprisingly, local employers soon started taking notice of the NBCC program. In fact Amy Thornton, human resources manager at Barrett Xplore, was already aware of it.

"We've been engaged on an ongoing basis with the college," she explains, "and we've taken OA (office administration) students on practicum as well as BOA (bilingual office administration) students since NBCC Woodstock started that program. Many of them have gained employment with the company as jobs have become available."

Part of the Barrett Corporation, Barrett Xplore is a fast-growing wireless broadband service provider. With two call centres – one in Jacksonville and the other in Fredericton – Thornton says recruitment is a big job and she is pleased to have NBCC Woodstock so close by.

The three CST students from this June's graduating class – Greg Connor, Logan Schofield and Brock Kerr – who completed work practicum at Barrett Xplore went through an application, screening and interview process like all practicum students. However, unlike with previous practicums, Thornton notes, the CST students knew from the outset there was a strong possibility of being hired.

With employment opportunities in retail and the public and private sectors, the outlook for the CST students is bright.

As CST graduate Matthew Wheelan says, "I recommend it for anyone interested in computers. It's a great way to start your career."

If anyone is interested in learning more about the program, Tompkins says don't wait too long as the 20 places for 2008/2009 are filling up fast.

Français: Alors que les revues prédisent la renaissance de l'information technologique, le programme de technicien de systèmes informatiques du CCNB de Woodstock offre de bonnes occasions d'emplois à ses finissants.