By the early 20th century, Nova Scotia businesses and industries recognized the growing need for technical education in the province, particularly in light of the coal mining and steel manufacturing boom underway in Industrial Cape Breton. Competing engineering diploma programs were established by four universities in the province but no institution could afford the expense of operating a full engineering program. Following an April 19, 1906 meeting between the Halifax Board of Trade, the Mining Society of Nova Scotia, and these four universities, it was agree to request that the Government of Nova Scotia establish a degree-granting technical college. The resulting "Technical Education Act" received Royal Assent on April 25, 1907 and established both the Nova Scotia Technical College (NSTC) as well as a system of local technical education/vocational training schools throughout the province. Dr. Frederick Henry Sexton was appointed Principal.