Month: June 2025

Suchitra Yadav – Early Learning and Child Care Diploma – Class of 2022

The Yellowknife Day Care Association is a busy place.

For a city in high demand for early child care, Suchitra Yadav is one worker that many residents have come to know for more than a decade as she has helped ensure the early learning environment excels. After immigrating to Canada from Nepal in 2009, Suchitra settled in Yellowknife and began working at YKDA.

“I’ve spent over 16 years working with preschool and afterschool-aged children,” Suchitra says. “I love the way children see the world. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in their lives.”

After working nearly a decade at YKDA, however, Suchitra decided to strengthen her skills and develop new career opportunities. She enrolled in Aurora College’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) program, completing her certificate in 2018 and diploma in 2022. She ended up returning to YKDA as a Program Manager at YKDA, where she oversees daily operations, supports educators, and oversees quality learning environments.

“The ELCC program gave me the confidence to grow,” she says. “I learned how children develop at every stage, and I continue to learn and evolve with them.”

For Suchitra, she found many aspects of the ELCC program impactful including the hands-on learning opportunities and strong support from instructors. A standout experience was her involvement in a playgroup association offering free sessions for children aged 0–5 in the community—an initiative that helped her apply her learning in real-world settings.

“There’s a high demand for qualified early childhood educators in the North,” she explains. “The College’s focus on Indigenous knowledge and Northern culture helps prepare educators to support children and families in meaningful ways.”

Suchitra encourages anyone considering the program to take the leap.

“Education is the most powerful toolbox. The ELCC program doesn’t just prepare you for a job—it prepares you to help shape the future.”

Kate Wedzin – University and College Access Program – Class of 2017 & Office Administration Program – Class of 2020

Kate Wedzin is a proud first-generation high school and college graduate in her family and Aurora College played a big role in making that possible.

Hailing from Behchokǫ̀, Kate first completed the University and College Access Program (UCAP) at Aurora College in 2017. With a desire to develop real-world, practical skills that could be useful in the North, she enrolled in the Office Administration Program in 2018.

Graduating in 2020, Kate says the program equipped her for the workforce.

“It gave me the foundation I needed—software skills, office management, professional communication, and ethics,” she says. “These are all things I use every day in my job.”

Now a Junior Human Resource Officer with the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Department of Finance, Kate’s daily tasks include posting jobs, scheduling and conducting interviews, processing onboarding paperwork, and maintaining accurate HR records.

“I’m learning the fundamentals of human resource management within the unique context of the GNWT,” she says.

The Office Administration program’s focus on real-world application and problem solving was especially appealing to Kate during her time of study. She found particular value in the practicum component of the course, which allowed her to gain experience directly in the field. Her placement at Aurora College’s Finance Department led to a position as an Intern-Finance Officer, and later helped her transition into her current HR role.

“The hands-on experience helped shape my career,” she admits.

Kate encourages others considering the program to take advantage of the useful skills that can be learned.  

“Engage fully with the curriculum and your instructors, and take advantage of practicum placements—they can open real doors,” she advises.

From the classroom to a meaningful government career, Kate’s journey shows the power of accessible, skill-focused education in the North.

“Aurora College helped me build a career while staying close to home. The Office Administration program is a valuable investment for anyone looking to work in a professional environment here in the NWT.”

Leah Mandeville – Personal Support Worker Certificate – Class of 2021

When Leah Mandeville returned to school at Aurora College, she brought with her a deep sense of compassion, lived experience, and a desire to make a difference. Originally from Fort Resolution and now living in Yellowknife, Leah is Métis and a proud mother of three.

Her decision to enroll in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program in 2020 came after a life-changing experience caring for her mother through terminal cancer.

“It was a very humbling experience,” she recalls.

“I felt honoured to help her on her journey, and I realized I wanted a career where I could truly help others.”

Through the online PSW program, Leah learned the skills she needed with strong support from instructors who brought real-world nursing experience into the classroom. “Anytime we had questions, they were there,” Leah says. The transition from virtual learning to hands-on labs and practicum placements was seamless—and meaningful.

“It didn’t feel like work. I felt like I was spending time with people I truly cared for.”

During her final clinical placement at Stanton Hospital’s Extended Care Unit, Leah built a bond with an elder who reminded her of the importance of laughter, understanding, and connection.

 “We became close,” Leah recalls. “She told me people often thought she was too serious—but I got her.”

After graduation, Leah worked full-time in extended care before choosing to pursue a Personal Trainer diploma. Her long-term goal? To combine her healthcare background with physical wellness and return to the Northwest Territories to support her community in new ways.

Leah believes Personal Support Workers are essential in the North. “We are the fabric that helps hold the healthcare system together,” she says.

“We know the land, we know the people—and that connection means everything.”

Catherine Graydon – Environment and Natural Resources Diploma – Class of 2015

Catherine Graydon has always felt a deep connection to the land.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, Catherine is Inuvialuit through her mother’s roots in Inuvik. Though she didn’t grow up with extensive on-the-land knowledge, she was always drawn to nature—especially during one unforgettable summer at Plummer’s Lodge on Great Bear Lake.

“I was inspired by the guides—how much they knew and how they carried themselves. I wanted to learn what they knew.”

That desire led Catherine to enrol in Aurora College’s Environment and Natural Resources Technology Diploma Program(ENRTP), which she says was a positive turning point in her life. Through small class sizes, supportive instructors, and immersive fieldwork, Catherine learned about water quality monitoring, ecology, mapping, and more.

“One highlight was summer field camp at Tsu Lake—canoe trips, fish dissection, caribou harvesting, and survival training. We laughed, learned, and created lasting connections.”

Since graduating in 2015, Catherine’s career has taken her to many places in the North. From student positions at Diavik and Ekati to becoming Lead Coordinator for Water Monitoring and Stewardship at the GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, she now supports environmental programs and collaborates with Indigenous governments across the NWT.

ENRTP didn’t just open doors, she says —it changed her life, both personally and professionally. “Before, I was juggling three jobs. ENRTP gave me the skills and confidence to build a stable career that supports my family. I can’t imagine going back.”

Anyone considering the program should just take the leap, she adds.

“The environmental field needs more Indigenous and Northern voices—people with a real connection to the land. This program helps you grow into that role.”

Learn more about the Environment and Natural Resources Technology Program and apply online today.

Application deadline: June 30.