The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is a post-secondary educational institution that serves the residents of the Central Interior of British Columbia. CNC operates six campuses in Prince George, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Quesnel and Vanderhoof.

CNC offers small class sizes, not in excess of 37 students, as mandated by their faculty agreement."Collective Agreement - CNC & FACNC - April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2014" , p. 82, accessed Nov. 9, 2014.

During the 2022-23 year, CNC had 6,610 students, with 5,135 domestic and 1,475 international students. Out of all full-time equivalent (FTE) students, roughly 40% were international in 2023-2024. Changes in Canadian immigration rules for international students will lead to an expected decline in 2024-25 according to College presidents.

History The college was established in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada in 1969 as a successor to the B.C. Vocational School. The college was called "New Caledonia," a name given to the region by the early explorer, Simon Fraser."New Caledonia", Barry M. Gough, The Canadian Encyclopedia, 02/07/06, edited 12/16/13. The first convocation of 37 graduates took place in 1971. CNC has since expanded by opening up campuses across central British Columbia.

The College of New Caledonia's Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on June 4, 1996."College of New Caledonia", The Governor General of Canada, His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston, Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges, accessed Nov. 9, 2014.

Campuses

Prince George

CNC in Prince George occupies four buildings: the main campus, Technical Education Centre, Nicholson campus, and the John A. Brink Trades & Technology Centre."Welcome to CNC", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. The Prince George campus's recreation department provides a full-size gym, weight room, bouldering wall, squash courts, and yoga classes. These services are free to attending students."Recreation", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. The Prince George campus is also the headquarters of the CNC Students' Union.

CNC's Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. As of 2014, graduates of both programs have had a 100% pass rate on the National Dental Assisting Examining Board exam."Dental Hygiene Diploma", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014."Dental Assisting Certificate", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014.

Quesnel The Quesnel campus is located at 100 Campus Way, Quesnel, B.C."Exploring Quesnel" , CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. In 2011, construction began on an additional building meant to provide trades and technical training services. The completed building was officially named the West Fraser Tech Centre in 2013."CNC Quesnel building named West Fraser Tech Centre", CNC, Feb. 8, 2013. The building, designed by Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects and Designers, earned the Governor General's Award for Architecture in 2012,"Governor General's Medals in Architecture 2012 Recipients", RAIC-IRAC Architecture Canada, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. and is home to trades students in programs such as machinist/millwright, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and power engineering. The campus opened an expanded Nursing Lab in 2024.

Lakes District CNC's Lakes District campus in Burns Lake is located at 545 Highway 16 West. It has offered a variety of community-focused educational programs since 1976."Welcome to Lakes District Campus", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. The campus has gained worldwide attention for its work in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The campus has experienced enrolment challenges in the past. The college has been called out for refusing to release FTE (full-time equivalent) student numbers. The campus saw a rise in enrolment in 2017 as international enrolment grew.

Mackenzie The college operates a campus in Mackenzie offering academic, vocational, professional development, and general interest courses and programs."Welcome to the Mackenzie Campus", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. They also operate the Mackenzie WorkBC Employment Services Centre in partnership with the government of British Columbia."WorkBC Employment Services Centre: Mackenzie Employment Services Centre" , accessed Nov. 9, 2014.

Nechako The Nechako region is served by campuses in Fort St. James"Fort St James Campus", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. and Vanderhoof."Vanderhoof campus", CNC, accessed Nov. 9, 2014. The Fort St James campus is located at 179 Douglas Avenue. The campus Aboriginal Services Plan hosted artist Roy Vickers in 2016. The Vanderhoof campus located at 195 1 St, hired Nicholette Prince of the Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation as campus principal in 2016.

Partnerships Credits can be transferred to University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, Thompson Rivers University, University of Northern British Columbia, and Royal Roads University toward a four-year degree.

The College of New Caledonia and the Emily Carr University of Art and Design have created a Fine Arts program. Students can take basic first year courses at the CNC campus in Prince George, then transfer to the Emily Carr campus in Vancouver for the final three years.

Gallery

See also List of institutes and colleges in British Columbia List of universities in British Columbia

References

External links

Official website CNC Students' Union