FORT SMITH
Aurora College expanding Trades and Apprenticeship programming to help meet Northern workforce needs

Aurora College is developing seven new trades and apprenticeship programs to be delivered at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith. The programs are part of the College's commitment to enhancing trades education opportunities in the North and addressing critical labour market needs.

Three of the new programs - Fundamentals of Mechanics, Fundamentals of Pipe Trades, and Level 1 of the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship - are scheduled to accept students for the 2025-2026 academic year. The remaining programs, including Fundamentals of Welding, Level 2 of the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship, Level 3 of the Plumbing Apprenticeship, and Level 3 of the Heavy Equipment Technician (Off Road) Apprenticeship, are planned for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The College is also upgrading the existing apprenticeship Carpentry Levels 1-4, Plumber Levels 1-2, and Electrician Levels 1-3 programs to equip facilities and students with the latest tools and technology to ensure they receive industry-standard training.

Aurora College's 20-week Fundamentals programs are a combination of hands-on and academic coursework to prepare individuals for Level 1 apprenticeship exams and to provide students with valuable skills to help them enter the trades. The new Fundamentals programs are in addition to the current Fundamentals of Carpentry and Fundamentals of Electrical.

As part of the Fundamentals programs, students will collaborate to build small houses. This will allow the students to apply what they've learned in a real world setting.

Funding for the new programs and equipment is through a $625,018 grant from the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) - Investments in Training Equipment Stream. UTIP is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's response to the skilled trades workforce's most pressing needs, including addressing barriers to successful entering skilled trades, addressing the housing crisis, and increasing net-zero construction to help fuel economic growth.

Applications for the new Fundamentals program will open in spring 2025. Watch the Aurora College website or social media for program details and application dates. www.auroracollege.nt.ca

Quote:

"Aurora College is committed to offering high quality apprenticeship level training so NWT residents can pursue careers in the skilled trades without having to leave the territory. This investment by Employment and Social Development Canada will help Aurora College expand its offerings and ensure our trainees have access to the most up to date technology to meet and exceed industry standards. Skilled trades people are essential for the vibrancy of NWT communities and Aurora College is dedicated to supporting NWT residents in their training journey."

Dr. Nora Houlahan, Vice President Education and Training, Aurora College

Quick facts:

• As of the 2025-2026 academic year, Aurora College will offer four 20-week Fundamentals programs: Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanics, and Pipe Trades, designed to introduce students to the trades and prepare them for Level 1 apprenticeship exams.
• As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Aurora College will offer a total of 19 levels of apprenticeship training for seven trades: Automotive Service Technician Levels 1-2 (of 4), Carpentry Levels 1-4 (of 4), Electrician (Construction) Levels 1-3 (of 4), Heavy Equipment Technician Levels 1-3 (of 4), Housing Maintainer Levels 1-3 (of 3), Plumber/Gasfitter B Levels 1-3 (of 4), and Oil Heat Systems Technician Level 1 (of 1). As well, Fundamentals of Welding is expected to be offered beginning in 2026lev-2027.
• The majority of Aurora College instructors in the School of Trades, Apprenticeship and Industrial Training are long-Northerners, and many are alumni of Aurora College.
• Collectively, Aurora College instructors and staff hold a total of 31 Red Seal Interprovincial and Journeyperson certifications.
• Aurora College has offered Heavy Equipment Operator training continuously in Fort Smith (and in other communities across NWT and Nunavut) since 1968, and apprenticeship training since 1975. The first apprenticeship training programs were Carpentry, Electrician and Heavy Equipment Technician.
• Aurora College apprenticeship programs and trades facilities undergo regular accreditation reviews through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
• https://michaelmcleod.libparl.ca/2024/09/19/government-of-canada-invests-to-support-skilled-trades-workers-in-the-northwest-territories/