A New Brunswick college is adding more seats to help tackle the province’s nursing shortage.

Oulton College in Moncton is spending $3 million to expand its Elmwood Drive campus.

The move will add 300 new student seats and introduce state-of-the-art medical and nursing labs.

“This is not just a financial investment in bricks and mortar. It’s an investment in people and the future of our province,” CFO Aaron Robichaud said in a statement.

“By expanding our nursing capacity, we’re directly contributing to the sustainability of New Brunswick’s health-care system and creating long-term value for students, families, and the broader community.”

The expansion will increase Oulton’s nursing program capacity to more than 400 students, providing hands-on training in newly renovated simulation labs and classrooms designed to mirror real health-care settings.

Acting Post-Secondary Education Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours had a chance to tour the college’s new nursing and medical labs last week.

“Given the continued needs in the health-care system, these upgrades are certainly welcome, and they will have a significant impact on the province’s ability to train health-care professionals,” D’Amours said in the release.

The project is set to be completed by January.