McKenzie College program draws interest of BMM hopefuls

Kailynn Hacheyis happy to be ahead of the curve, enrolling in a new software tester diploma program at McKenzie College just weeks before BMM Testlabs announced an expansion of its Moncton operationsby 1,000 people over five years.

Hachey graduated from high school in 2013 has been looking for employment opportunities.

"I've been working part-time jobs on my own since then, just thinking, maybe I'll find something tomorrow," said Hachey.

"And I got wind of this program and I knew if I didn't immediately go for it I would never go for it, so I jumped on the opportunity and got into the class."

The 11-monthdiploma program that teaches students how to be a software tester, was suggested by her cousin, a fellow student.

Last Thursday, Hachey and her entire class wasat the Capitol Theatre when the company announced its plans to create1,000 new jobs.

"The job with BMM or any of the other companies would be awesomeand to make it a career, when I've been so into computers since I was young," Hachey said.

"I can stay here, I can live my life here, I can have a good career here, instead of going God knows where."

Dale Ritchie, the president of McKenzie College,saidthe program was developed with BBM, knowing its plans to expand its operations in Moncton.

"We've been run off our feet just answering inquiries and explaining to the new prospective students what it's all about," he said.

"You can imagine there's been a lot of interest because of the press, and the announcement and the excitement around this opportunity."

Judson Murray, aninstructor of software testing at McKenzie College, says the announcement is exciting, but software testing also known asquality assuranceis a growing industry in many sectors.

"Quite simply, what they are training to do is to help organizations verify that the software solutions they are creating work as advertised," Murray said.

Nine students are currently enrolled in the diploma program, that includes a design component, testing fundamentals, and test automation. The program finishes with a six-week internshipat BMM.

Another session with 20 students is planned to start in November. Ritchie says the college has facilities to manage four sessions of this size a year.

McKenzie College is a private institute and does not receive public funding.