College of the North Atlantic

College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is one of the largest post-secondary educational and skills training centres in Atlantic Canada, with a history dating back 50 years. This college has 17 campus locations throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, various partner universities in China and operate a technical education college for the State of Qatar in the Middle East. The enabling legislation is the College Act.

The headquarters for College of the North Atlantic and the Bay St. George campus are located in Stephenville, on the west coast of the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. College of the North Atlantic offers nearly 100 full-time program offerings and more than 300 part-time courses for some 25,000 students each year.

History

1963

District Vocational Schools (DVS) open around the province. Over the next few years DVS open in:

• Labrador City
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• St. Anthony
• Corner Brook
• Stephenville Crossing
• Port aux Basques
• Baie Verte
• Springdale
• Grand Falls - Windsor
• Lewisporte
• Gander
• Bonavista
• Clarenville
• Burin
• Placentia
• Carbonear
• Seal Cove

College of Trades and Technology opens in St. John’s. Heavy Equipment School opens in Stephenville.

1967

Adult Upgrading Centre opens in Stephenville.

1977

Bay St. George Community College established in Stephenville encompassing the District Vocational School in Stephenville Crossing, the Adult Upgrading Centre and the Heavy Equipment School.

1987

Two Institutes and five Community Colleges are formed from the former District Vocational Schools, the College of Trades and Technology and the Bay St. George Community College. These Colleges are:

1. Cabot Institute
2. Fisher Technical College
3. Avalon Community College
4. Eastern Community College
5. Central Newfoundland Community College
6. Labrador Community College
7. Western Community College

1991

The Fisher Technical College is renamed the Fisher Institute of Applied Arts and Technology. Western Community College is renamed Western College of Applied Arts and Technology.

1992

Five Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and Continuing Education are formed from the two Institutes and five Community Colleges. These Colleges are:

1. Cabot College
2. Eastern College
3. Central Newfoundland Community College
4. Westviking College
5. Labrador College

1997

College of the North Atlantic is formed from the five previous Colleges.