Left to right: Barry Stevens (Stevens Solutions and Design) and Lauren Douglas (AGRG) at Annapolis Valley Campus
Left to right: Barry Stevens (Stevens Solutions and Design) and Lauren Douglas (AGRG) at Annapolis Valley Campus
Innovation for provincial needs
As the province’s strategic workforce partner, the College partners with employers and organization to address immediate workforce and applied research needs in priority areas. This includes defence, energy, skilled trades, healthcare system renewal and natural resource development.
Collaborating on energy solutions
Unlocking clean heat from the forest
The College partnered with ACFOR Forestry and Energy and pHathom Technologies to convert forestry waste into clean heat. The first pilot system at Lunenburg Campus used pHathom Technologies’ process to capture CO2 from the ACFOR biomass boiler exhaust gas and neutralize the CO2 with limestone so that it can safely be added to seawater, providing a pathway for carbon-negative biomass heating. In the next stage, work continues with pHathom on systems to measure and verify the effectiveness of their process in the ocean.
Partner investment in wind energy training
In October 2025, NSCC received funding from the RBC Foundation to advance wind energy education at Kingstec Campus. The investment enhances the Electrical Technician – Wind Energy program, preparing students for careers in Nova Scotia’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector as part of a $2-million commitment to 5 Atlantic region community colleges. The first round of funding went towards significant shop upgrades.
Innovating to protect out province
Advancing wildfire prevention technology
Nova Scotia company Stevens Solutions and Design developed FireGuardian, a tool that predicts wildfire spread. Tested with the NSCC Applied Geomatics Research Group, the software closely matched actual burn patterns and outperformed existing federal tools. Now validated nationally and accepted into the Government of Canada’s Pathway to Commercialization program, it is poised to help protect communities and critical infrastructure.
Supporting community water resilience
NSCC partnered with the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust and SimplyCast to develop a community-driven platform that helps residents monitor and understand their groundwater using accessible, real-time data. The project builds water literacy, supports informed decision-making for private well users and demonstrates how applied research and community collaboration can strengthen environmental resilience across Nova Scotia.
Increasing student–industry connectivity
Leading Atlantic Canada’s Labs 4 network
In 2025, NSCC secured federal funding to lead Atlantic Canada’s role in the national Labs 4 network, creating new opportunities for students across the region. Through mentorship, partnerships with other post-secondary institutions and access to research facilities and expertise, the network helps students develop and test their ideas while connecting them with industry and clear paths to bring their work to market.
Advancing power systems with Detect
Student–industry engagement is further strengthened through a $1.9 million project supported project by Mitacs, a national organization that funds student research with industry partners. With Detect as the industry partner, this is the largest funding partnership of its kind at a Canadian college. Twenty-one students are using advanced technologies such as drones, imaging and AI to modernize Nova Scotia’s power distribution system, improving safety, efficiency and asset management while gaining real-world experience.
Barry Stevens (Stevens Solutions and Design)
Innovating to protect our province
Barry Stevens, a Mi’kmaq engineer and founder of Stevens Solutions and Design, created FireGuardian, a tool that helps predict how wildfires will spread so communities can prepare and respond more effectively. The idea grew from his earlier work using 3D technology to help people better understand coastal flooding and climate risks. Developed with support from his son, NSCC Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) and students, FireGuardian combines science and Indigenous knowledge to help protect people, communities and critical infrastructure.
“There’s a big difference between having data and being able to act on it. Tools like this (FireGuardian) give communities the ability to generate insight in real time, instead of waiting for updates or relying on outdated systems. Speed matters, especially when a fire can shift direction in minutes.”
– Lauren Douglas, AGRG Research Associate
students contributing to industry research collaborations
awarded to student entrepreneurs through Labs 4