ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF RECRUITING EDUCATORS
The Northwest Territories joins Pathways to Teach Canada

A new pan-Canadian initiative, Pathways to Teach Canada, has been introduced in the Northwest Territories (NWT) to simplify the evaluation of internationally educated teachers' credentials and language competencies.

By participating in Pathways to Teach Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is taking action to address the challenges of recruiting educators. This initiative will make recruiting internationally educated teachers easier for NWT education bodies, including assessing their credentials.

For internationally educated teachers, Pathways to Teach Canada will offer a transparent, consistent and timely assessment process. A central service point for credential assessments at the pan-Canadian level is consistent with other regulated professions in the country, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses.

Pathways to Teach Canada is not a certification process; it provides a descriptive assessment of internationally educated teachers' credentials and a report on their language skills. The GNWT and other participating jurisdictions still hold the authority over certification decisions, while education bodies are responsible for hiring educators.

Quotes:

"Recruiting qualified educators is critical to reaching our goals to improve student outcomes in the NWT. It is challenging to recruit educators, and Pathways to Teach Canada will help us meet those goals. By joining this pan-Canadian initiative, internationally educated teachers who want to teach in the Northwest Territories will have a bilingual, single point of entry to assess their credentials and language competencies. Pathways to Teach Canada will support education bodies in recruiting qualified educators who will support the growth of NWT students."

Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick Facts:

• In 2022-2023, there were 1,286 educators in the Northwest Territories, including 470 in Yellowknife, 302 in regional centres and 514 in small communities.
• Educators, including internationally educated teachers, must have an active job offer in the NWT to be eligible for certification.
• Internationally educated teachers are responsible for their fees for the credential and language competencies assessments.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure they are legally allowed to work in Canada as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Policy.

Related Links:

• Pathways to Teach Canada (ECE website)
• Pathways to Teach Canada (National initiative website)