EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Commitment 2.3.1 – We will take steps to close the skills gap, by conducting a Foundational Review of Aurora College followed by a renewed strategic plan and any necessary updates to the Aurora College Act as informed by the Foundational Review, improving outcomes from Community Learning Centres, strengthening the apprenticeship program, and improving our career development services.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is leading the GNWT’s work to implement the Skills 4 Success 10-Year Strategic Framework (S4S) and 4-Year Action Plan 2016-2020 (milestone 1) to help develop the skills, knowledge and talents of the people of the NWT. The S4S is an evidence-based initiative about making system wide improvements to adult and post-secondary education and skills training programs to close education and employment gaps in the NWT.
The Skills 4 Success 10-Year Strategic Framework was tabled on October 7, 2015. Over 700 people across the NWT have engaged in the process of developing the S4S Framework. Feedback from regional focus group sessions, the S4S Symposium, and the online survey have been documented in a full Skills 4 Success Initiative Engagement Report and shorter report, Skills 4 Success Initiative Engagement Summary: “What We Heard”.
A Foundational Review (Review) of Aurora College is being undertaken (milestone 3). The Review is an important step to help expand opportunities for postsecondary education in the NWT by refocusing support for Aurora College and ensure that the NWT’s public postsecondary education institution keeps pace with the changing dynamics of the labour market.
The Review will make recommendations regarding the governance structure and operations of Aurora College. The Terms of Reference for the Review included an examination of:
- Operations;
- Governance structures;
- Accountability measures;
- Academic program and course selection; and
- Student recruitment and retention.
In the summer of 2018 Aurora College will develop its long term Strategic plan which will be informed by the Foundational Review and the ECE response to the Foundational Review.
ECE is developing a legislative proposal for the creation of an overarching legislative framework to oversee postsecondary education in the NWT.
The primary objectives of this new legislation will be to create a process of recognition that ensures the effective governance and quality assurance of post-secondary institutions and their programs in alignment with national and international best practices. While the legislative proposal is being developed, ECE will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure they remain sustainable and strong.
In May 2017, ECE released the NWT Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy 2017-2022 (ATOC) (milestone 2) and in June 2017, released the NWT Immigration Strategy The ATOC Strategy outlines how the GNWT will improve the apprenticeship and occupational certification program, and focuses on increasing participation in in-demand trades and occupations, as well as improving completion rates. The ATOC Strategy focuses on making improvements to the overall training system, however, increasing participation in skilled trades and occupations, as well as improving completion rates.
ECE is engaged in discussions with the federal government to amend and renew federal-territorial agreements that provide federal funding for labour market transfer agreements. Renewed agreements are expected to be concluded by spring 2018. The labour market transfer agreements provide over $7 million in annual funding to the GNWT to support its delivery of important labour market programs, services and supports.
Together, labour market information including the S4S NWT Jobs in Demand: 15-Year Forecast, the Aurora College Strategic Plan and the Aurora College Foundational Review will shape programs and services at Aurora College beginning in the 2018-19 academic year and for years to come (milestone 4).
ECE continues to work with Aurora College to ensure that Community Learning Centres are effective in the delivery of programming to northern residents. The Aurora College Foundational Review and the Aurora College Strategic Plan will inform program decisions in Community Learning Centres in the Northwest Territories.
ECE is developing training for GNWT Career Development Officers that will improve the services provided to the public.
Related Mandate Commitments:
Commitment 1.1.5 - We will get more 18-24 year olds into the labour market by removing barriers to employment, using a better mix of improved educational attainment and skill development, while matching skills with employer needs through improved career development supports.
Commitment 1.1.13 - We will support small communities by enhancing job-creation programs, building community capacity and supporting new economic opportunities by:
- Enhancing the Small Communities Employment Support Program.
- Developing and implementing a strategy to increase employment in small communities that guides the delivery of territorial programming and includes a performance measurement plan.
Commitment 2.3.3 - We will develop legislation that outlines a quality assurance system on the basis of which post-secondary institutions will be recognized/authorized in the NWT.
Commitment 2.5.4 - We will promote and improve student financial assistance to support NWT youth in developing the skills and abilities to meet their potential as well as territorial labour demand.