Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Strategy extended to 2026

Press Release

October 16, 2024

A two-year extension to the Apprenticeship, Trades, and Occupation Certification Strategy has been released.

The strategy extension supports the 20th Legislative Assembly’s priority to build a strong economic foundation by investing in skill development and attracting skilled workers to the NWT. It aims to build on previous successes, maintain momentum on key work, support identifying new priorities and actions, and align with the Government of the Northwest Territories overarching labour market strategy, the Skills 4 Success (S4S) Strategic Framework and the Skills 4 Success Action Plan 2021-25.

While the initial Strategy ended in 2022, the work since has focused on reporting on the Strategy, aligning with the S4S Framework, and the extension to 2026 with targeted goals and actions to promote the Strategy. Public engagement on the strategy took place earlier this year. A What We Heard report summarizes the feedback collected from partners, apprentices, and employers. The key takeaways from the discussions were to continue to:

Promote and educate students, parents, and employers about the advantages of apprenticeship training.
Provide support for employers and apprentices in their workplaces.
Create a positive image for careers in the trades, emphasizing that they are an equally valuable post-secondary option.
Provide support and resources to apprentices and employers to help them navigate the apprenticeship process and learn how they can take part.
Offer more trades training in the Northwest Territories and expand training options.

The Apprenticeship, Trades, and Occupation Certification Strategy Extension is available here.

Quote

“Skilled tradespeople are crucial for the NWT to realize its full economic potential. By supporting, promoting, and extending the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy, we can continue to provide pathways to sustainable employment for NWT residents. By building on the success of the past five years, we will address the shortages in our labour market and make the most of every opportunity to enhance training and education of all NWT residents.”

-Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and EmploymentQuick Facts

The Government of the Northwest Territories developed the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy 2017-22 to enhance apprenticeship programs, skilled trades and occupation certification in four priority areas:
Increase skill levels through relevant education and training.
Bridge education and employment gaps through targeted supports.
Grow the NWT workforce through partnerships.
Improve decision making with relevant labour market information.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has invested $4.7 million between 2017 and 2022 to support and advance skilled trades and occupations in the territory.
Since the release of the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy in 2017:
Indigenous apprentices increased by eight percent, making up 64 percent of new apprentices.
The number of female apprentices increased by six percent, and they now make up eight percent of new apprentices.
More students have been taking part in the Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP). From 2016 to 2022, 22 students were participating in SNAP.
Public engagement on the strategy took place earlier this year, with a What We Heard report created to inform the extension to the Strategy.