NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — Students at North Nova Education Centre are better equipped than they’ve perhaps ever been, thanks to a donation of $10,000 worth of DeWalt tools.
“It was like Christmas,” says Justin Blouin, a Grade 10 student, when asked what it was like when he found out his school had won the tools.
The tools – some of which are still in unopened boxes – were donated by DeWalt to be used at the National Skills Competition held in Halifax May 28 and May 29. The competition featured the top trades students from across the country competing. But once they were done with them, Dewalt offered the opportunity for high schools to receive the tools and North Nova Education Centre in New Glasgow as among five in the province that were successful in winning them.
“It’s an unbelievably generous contribution to schools,” said Andrew Parsons who is head of the CEP and Technology Department at NNEC.
To be selected, the school had to show that they have a history of taking part in the provincial skills competitions, which NNEC does.
“The other reason we won is I think we were able to demonstrate that a lot of different students of different grades – boys and girls – are going to use the tools in a variety of uses.”
The tools will be used in everything from automotive to residential construction.
What’s particularly nice about receiving so many tools is that it will mean that classes won’t have to share the limited tools they used to have.
“It just allows so many more programing options,” Parsons said.
Blouin said it will also make the classes a lot more fun and safer.
“It’s a pain to work with crappy tools,” he said.
