Author: Simon Whitehouse

If you’ve ever wondered who helps keep the planes flying in and out of northern communities safe, the answer is closer than you might think.

Observer Communicators – specialists who convey critical weather information, runway conditions and other essential information to pilots – help ensure that flights land and depart safely at small airports across Canada’s far North.
Based at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, the Observer Communicator program prepares graduates to serve a vital role at Community Aerodrome Radio Stations (CARS) in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut and Northern Quebec. Aurora College is the only institution in Canada that offers this specialized training.

The NAV CANADA training is an intensive 10-week program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on training in radio communications and aviation weather observing. In simulated radio rooms, students practice their skills in real-world scenarios that can range from managing aircraft and ground vehicles to coordinating emergency responses.

Participants in program are normally chosen by ATS Services, the main employer of Observer Communicators, rather than applying directly to Aurora College. Most graduates go directly into jobs with ATS Services or territorial aviation agencies in small Northern communities. Senior instructor George Skippings notes that ideal candidates are residents of these communities, and that the program is designed to build northern capacity.

Aurora College runs four intakes per year—in January, April, July, and October. Students hail from across the territories and beyond, ranging from young adults to people seeking a new career. While the program requires a minimum of Grade 10 education, the most successful participants are curious about aviation, detail-oriented, and possess strong communication and literacy skills.

To learn more, check out Observer/Communicator – Aurora College or ATS Services.

For several years, the Canada-wide shortage of skilled tradespeople has been growing, and is sharply felt in the NWT – especially in the smaller communities. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, nearly one in five of the four million Canadians who currently work in trades is poised to retire by 2030, while the number of young people entering the trades continues to decline. Exposing young people to the trades and helping them consider trades as a viable career option are crucial to helping reverse this trend.
Since 2005, Aurora College has delivered the week-long Trades Awareness Program (TAP) sessions to high school students in the South Slave. In recent years, TAP has expanded to include students from schools in the Tlicho, Dehcho, Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions, as well as a summer camp option. The aim of TAP is to give students from small high schools access to a variety of trades that they can try out and explore in a safe, fun, educational environment, and perhaps consider a career in trades.
Students first participate in the one-week Introductory TAP, in which they spend one day in each of four trades, attend workshops about career and post-secondary planning and opportunities, experience “College life”, meet students from other communities and participate in recreational activities. They can then return for up to two week-long Intensive TAP sessions, where they focus on one trade for four days. Trades offered have included Carpentry, Electrical, Cooking, Mechanical, Plumbing, Welding, and Hairdressing, among others.
Each delivery is a partnership between Aurora College, regional school divisions, the department of Education, Culture and Employment, local business, and can include Indigenous governments, corporate sponsors and other GNWT departments. Since 2005, nearly 2,000 students have participated in the Trades Awareness Program, and several have gone on to become Journeypersons or work in a skilled trade.
School divisions interested in more information can email TAIT.Training@auroracollege.ca.

At the Centre for Mine and Industry Training, students in Heavy Equipment Operator, Class 1 and Class 3 Driver training, and mining programs practice operating big rigs, haul trucks and various pieces of heavy equipment on state-of-the-art simulators. The simulators integrate cutting-edge technology with operational situations, providing a real-world sensory experience, including replicating vibrations and machine behaviour, such as weight shifting. Students practice on a variety of scenarios that mimic real-world job sites, and then receive a detailed evaluation of their session to ensure continuous improvement.
Heavy Equipment Operator training was the first course offered in Fort Smith in 1968, and remains one of the most popular. The full 15-week program at Thebacha Campus provides up to 185 hours of hands-on training on two pieces of equipment, as well as classroom work that covers preventative maintenance procedures, first aid and safety certifications and general knowledge. Shorter courses are often offered off-site in partnership with communities and Indigenous governments.
Aurora College was the first training provider in the NWT to offer the new, mandatory Class 1 Driver Entry Level Training (ELT) The five-week program runs up to eight times throughout the year. The training prepares students to take the written and practical Class 1 Drivers testing. Class 3 Driver Training is also offered at Thebacha Campus. Through a new reciprocal agreement with Alberta, residents of that province with Alberta Class 5 licences who successfully complete the Aurora College Class 1 ELT training can test for their Alberta Class 1 licence.
In partnership with Indigenous governments, communities and industry, Aurora College offers several mine training programs. The five-week Introduction to the Mining Industry can be delivered off-site or at Thebacha Campus, and is the prerequisite for both Underground Miner and Surface Miner programs.
More information about Industrial Training programs can be found on our website or email TAIT.Training@auroracollege.ca.

Before experiencing it for themselves, many people don’t realize the gem that is Aurora College’s School of Trades, Apprenticeship and Industrial Training (TAIT). The facilities, training equipment, range of programming, curriculum and quality of instructors rival what is available at larger institutions while offering lower student-instructor ratios and more one-on-one attention from instructors.

Based at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, TAIT delivers unique, northern-focused, high-quality skills-based training that is developed and delivered with the northern learner and northern labour market in mind.
Spacious, modern, well-equipped shop facilities and classrooms for apprenticeship and trades programs fill the entire west wing of the main campus. A short walk away is the Centre for Mine and Industry Training which was built specifically to deliver mining, heavy equipment and Class 1/Class 3 driver training. Hands-on training with heavy equipment, large haul trucks and other mining equipment takes place at private practice sites near Fort Smith.

Each program has a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for success, with ongoing efforts to meet the North’s growing demand for skilled workers and to provide students with best possible training and career opportunities. The curriculum for apprenticeship technical training at Aurora College is recognized by Alberta, Yukon and Nunavut, in addition to the NWT.
Program offerings are chosen to respond to needs of communities, employers, and students. In addition to traditional apprenticeship and trades deliveries, the College has developed, adopted or adapted a number of unique options, including Observer Communicator, Non-apprenticeship Housing Maintainer and a stand-alone Oil Heat Systems Technician program.

As a northern institution, Aurora College is proud of the fact that the majority of TAIT instructors are long-time northerners – many of whom are Indigenous, and many received trades education at the College. As well, most TAIT instructors have extensive work experience within the NWT and in the north, so are able to share that experience and understanding with their students.

Partnerships with Northern businesses, industry, and industry organizations are key to helping ensure curriculum and training are aligned with the needs of Northern labour market. Aurora College is grateful for the support of these partners, including De Beers Group, Diavik Diamond Mine, and Ekati.

Personal Support Workers Day in the NWT was celebrated this year on June 24. Observed on the last Tuesday of June, the day recognizes the essential role Personal Support Workers (PSWs) play in promoting health, dignity, and well-being of individuals across the territory. PSWs provide compassionate care in Elders homes, in hospitals, in homes, one-on-one in schools, and more.

Aurora College is proud of our Personal Support Worker Certificate program, students, alumni, faculty and staff for the tremendous contribution they make health care in the Northwest Territories. Two of our graduates were honoured recently for their exceptional dedication and hard work.

Clinical Excellence Award
2025 graduate Romanie Wideman received the Clinical Excellence Award. The faculty-nominated honour recognizes a student who demonstrates outstanding skill and professionalism in the clinical setting. She was presented with the award during her final practicum at Home Care – NTHSSA Yellowknife Region, where she worked alongside a team that includes many Aurora College alumni.

AVENS Sheila Broders Award
Graduate Diane Lafferty of Behchokǫ̀ was recognized with the AVENS Sheila Broders Award. Presented during the Yellowknife Convocation Ceremony by AVENS Care Manager Sandra Crocker-Walsh, the award celebrates Diane’s dedication and excellence in caregiving to AVENS residents during her practicum.

Chair of Health and Human Services, Jodi Brennan, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of PSWs. “It’s important to honour students who strive for clinical excellence and to celebrate the commitment Personal Support Workers bring to our communities every day.”

Aurora College’s PSW program offers flexible delivery options—including in-person and distance learning —making it accessible to Northerners throughout the territory. In 10105-2026, students care study in-person, full-time at Yellowknife North Slave Campus; in-person, part-time in Behchokǫ̀, Fort Smith and Inuvik; or through distance delivery anywhere in the territory.

Online application deadline for the program is June 30, 2025; students can apply to individual courses as they are offered.