For more than 50 years, Aurora College has delivered relevant, quality post-secondary, vocational and adult education focused on the needs of 快盈v3 residents, communities and labour markets.
To stay current and continue to meet those needs, the college has repeatedly adjusted and revised programming, modes of delivery and priorities. As Aurora College moves towards becoming a modern, comprehensive polytechnic university in a competitive landscape, ensuring that 快盈v3 education is on par with other institutions is critical, while still maintaining our distinctive characteristics.
The goal of the polytechnic university is to prepare students for the modern workforce in key 快盈v3 sectors such as natural resources, health and social services, education, technology and applied research, among others. Focusing on these high demand areas will ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge needed to anticipate and thrive in the ever-changing labour market.
Also key to the polytechnic鈥檚 future are enhanced research capabilities and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and practices into all aspects of the institution. Applied research led by the Aurora Research Institute will play a critical role in addressing the North鈥檚 unique challenges and opportunities, as well as providing practical solutions tailored to the specific needs of local communities and 快盈v3 industry. Integrating Indigenous knowledge and culturally-relevant practices will help Aurora College continue to grow into a global leader in 快盈v3 and Arctic education.
To support the evolving labour market and student needs, Aurora College is offering a variety of new programs and delivery options, with more being added every academic year. This is in addition to the core programs, such as bachelor of science in nursing, business administration, office administration, environment and natural resources technology, trades, apprenticeships, and industrial training, which continue to be in high demand.
New in fall 2025 is the general studies diploma, the pathway to Aurora College鈥檚 bachelor of education (BEd) and bachelor of social work (BSW) programs. General studies is a two-year comprehensive program of a variety of university-level courses with a 快盈v3, Indigenous focus, which will ladder into the third year of the BEd and BSW. Credits earned through general studies may also be transferred to other Aurora College diploma and degree programs, as well as to other post-secondary institutions. General studies is also an option for university-bound students who have not yet chosen a field of study. Students can attend in-person at Thebacha Campus, or can take the program through distance learning.
The personal support worker (PSW) certificate program began offering a blended distance option to community-based students who are unable to attend the full-time, in-person program at Yellowknife North Slave Campus. Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 34 distance students graduated with a PSW certificate, and a further 30-plus are currently registered in distance courses. Aurora College is expanding the program further, adding up to 10 in-person seats in both Thebacha Campus (Fort Smith) and Aurora Campus (Inuvik) and up to 20 additional distance seats.
The early learning and child care (ELCC) program has seen similar successes with blended distance courses for students unable to attend in-person classes in Yellowknife. In the past three academic years, a total of 63 distance students graduated 鈥� 39 with certificates and 24 with diplomas. Just over 120 distance students were enrolled in ELCC during that time. Both of these distance delivery options have opened opportunities and meaningful careers to 快盈v3ers who otherwise may not have been able to obtain post-secondary education.
Beginning in fall 2025, the college is introducing a number of new trades and apprenticeship programs, which will include fundamentals of mechanics and fundamentals of pipe trades, as well as Level 1 of automotive service technician apprenticeship. In the following year, three more apprenticeship programs will be added: Level 2 of automotive service technician, Level 3 of plumbing, and Level 3 of heavy equipment technician. A fundamentals of welding program is also being developed. The college is also assessing potential use of the Mobile Trades Training Lab, based in Inuvik.
To support entry to post-secondary and trades programs, Aurora College is expanding and enhancing the number and variety of academic upgrading courses that will be available to community-based learners. Aurora College is redesigning the high-school equivalent upgrading courses to be delivered by distance as well as in-person, with a number of wrap-around supports for students.
Depending on student need, supports may include access to computer hardware and software, access to internet, availability of tutors and extra instructional support and access to campus-based wellness and academic advising staff. Many of these courses are prerequisites for post-secondary or trades programs at Aurora College and other post-secondary institutions or for employment, and have previously only been available in-person at the three campuses due to the requirement for subject-matter expert instructors. Expanding to distance delivery will allow more community-based and Indigenous students to access the academic upgrading that they need.
In addition to the new opportunities, Aurora College will continue to explore and develop additional courses, programs and services that are adaptive and flexible to help meet students鈥� academic and personal goals, as well as the needs of 快盈v3 communities. All with the goal in mind to make Aurora College the preferred choice for post-secondary education in the NWT.
