RRC Polytech's first-ever customized delivery of the Human Resources (HR) Management Certificate program in Nunavut has wrapped up with a celebration in Winnipeg, marking a major milestone for workforce development in the territory.
Students and their families gathered at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in Winnipeg to celebrate the completion of the 13-month course along with representatives of the Government of Nunavut (GN) and the Province of Manitoba on January 23.
During remarks at the celebration, Elaine Uppahuak, Associate Deputy Minister, Inuit Employment and Public Service Development, noted how students completed the program with shared purpose in respect and care - which are the foundations of Inuit leadership.
"You are the vision of the Nunavut Agreement not just in numbers, but in leadership and decision-making," said Uppahuak.
Theresa Adamache, student delegate for the cohort, extended thanks to her fellow students, to instructors, to educational assistants and technical support, to the GN departments, and to students' families. She described how each group contributed to the success of the cohort - whether it was the instructors for their commitment, the departments for their flexibility, or their families for their constant support, everyone that had gathered for the celebration was part of the students' journey.
"Our diverse life and work experiences enriched our discussions and helped us connect course concepts to real-life situations. Your dedication has opened new doors of opportunity, adding valuable knowledge and experience to your portfolios," Adamache noted in her remarks to classmates.
The Corporate Solutions team launched the program in 2024 in partnership with GN, the first of its kind to bring critical HR training directly to Inuit learners in Iqaluit. GN provided full tuition and employer support for 25 GN employees across multiple departments.
The program was designed to reflect the realities of work and education in the north. The customized approach included an adapted timeline, accelerated delivery through intensive five-day sessions, and curriculum shaped by current trends in HR and the historical and cultural context of Nunavut and northern workplaces.
With students across three different time zones, commuting challenges, unpredictable internet connection, and environmental factors like blizzards, the program needed to be flexible. Deadlines shifted to accommodate internet outages, classes moved online when freezing temperatures forced closures, and instructors worked with students directly to ensure that they could meet the learning outcomes despite disruptions.
Students came from all backgrounds. Some were new to post-secondary education, while others travelled south to go to school in the past. Ages ranged between 19 and 75, with students coming from all stages in life - including a grandmother.
Laura Nowdluk, who's graduating with the certificate, says that the program was a great way to broaden her knowledge of the systems she works with in her day-to-day job as a Human Resources Coordinator in the Department of Justice for GN. She graduated from the program with honours, making her eligible to waive the national knowledge exam for the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Designation.
"I wanted to widen my knowledge of human resources because it's much different than what I thought it'd be," said Nowdluk, who studied computer science and biotechnology in Kingston after high school before returning home.
Nowdluk says while that getting back into the work rhythm in Nunavut following the celebration in Winnipeg, she's looking forward to applying for her CPHR Designation. She says that with the experience she gained in the program, she made a lot of valuable connections along the way.
"A lot of my fellow classmates are really nice. I really enjoyed being in an Inuit cohort - I got closer to people that are similar to me in some ways," said Nowdluk.
Georgette Rochon, Business Development Manager, Corporate Solutions, says that the program's success reinforced the importance of responsive, learner-informed design. The delivery team continued to adjust the day-to-day schedule, refine the timing of the program, and shape content based on student feedback and emerging workplace needs.
"All the students graduating from the program achieved the 70 per cent GPA they need to write the national CPHR exam," said Rochon. "The success we've seen and the feedback we've gotten from GN has encouraged us to expand the program for the second intake."
The current cohort, started in Fall 2025, had increased to 45 seats to welcome both Inuit and non-Inuit GN employees who would benefit from the same training.
One of those current students, Tejpal Panesar, Job Evaluation Consultant, Department of Human Resources, says he wants to refresh his knowledge in human resources, particularly in communications. Panesar attended the publication design and management program in college from 2001 to 2004, so he's looking forward to bringing updated learning into his work.
After moving to Nunavut from Montreal in 2012, Panesar built his career through a series of roles that reflect the unique opportunities available in the north. Between advancing to a permanent manager role in food services for the correctional facility in Iqaluit and transitioning to a new role as an HR assistant at the department of Economic Development and Transportation, Panesar decided to take a pay cut at the time to move into HR. From there, he had advanced into an acting manager role within five months, then he was recruited by GN's Job Evaluation department in 2021, where he currently works.
"Working in Nunavut has been a very different experience from anywhere else I've worked. The close-knit nature of the communities, the cultural richness, and the way relationships shape day-to-day work all make it unique. One of the biggest adjustments for me has been learning to work across long distances and adapting to situations where resources or timelines don't always line up the way you expect. At the same time, the collaborative spirit here and the strong sense of community support have been incredibly rewarding and have really shaped how I approach my work," said Panesar.
Now that he's settled in Nunavut with his wife and two adopted children, Panesar says the upcoming program will help him approach his role with greater efficiency and expertise.
This customized training solution responds to the needs of the people that drive the workforce and the realities of living and working in the north. As the program continues to expand, the success of the first cohort and expansion of the second represent not only a pathway to professional certification, but a long-term investment in community capacity, leadership, and education for Nunavut.
