In September, Aurora College’s Trades Awareness Program (TAP) partnered with Junior Achievement Canada (JA) and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) to offer an expanded Youth Symposium to high school students from the South Slave, Dehcho and Tłı̨chǫ regions.
The two week-long Introductory Trades Awareness Programs were hosted at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith. Along with the opportunity to try out four different trades, students participated in Junior Achievement’s “Be Entrepreneurial” program, budgeting and personal finance sessions, workshops to help plan for post-secondary education, and a variety of evening recreational activities. Nearly 100 students took part over the two weeks. Students could choose between carpentry, cooking, electrical, hair dressing, pipe trades and welding. After completing the Introductory TAP, students are eligible to attend the week-long Intensive program, in which they spend four days exploring a trade.
Since 2005, Aurora College has partnered with the South Slave Divisional Education Council and Education (ECE), Culture and Employment to offer TAP to South Slave students. During the past several years, partnerships with other regional school divisions and funders has allowed students from Dehcho, Tłı̨chǫ, Beaufort Delta and Sahtu regions to participate as well.
TAP was set up to introduce high school students from smaller communities to the trades as a potential career choice. Since 2005, more than 2,000 NWT students have participated, some of whom have gone on to become apprentices and journeypersons.
Aurora College will be hosting additional Trades Awareness sessions in the 2025-2026 academic year. Interested schools or school divisions can contact TAIT.Training@auroracollege.ca for more information.