Aurora College

QUALITY METRICS FOR PROJECTS – MGMT 0708
2025-12-10 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Inuvik)
Meeting cost and time constraints within a project often compromises quality. This course explores how to maintain your quality standards through a balanced approach to quality time and cost. The focus is on developing and applying a quality framework that works for your own projects.

In this course, you will learn:

Defining quality

The quality approach

Prioritizing key quality metrics

The quality management plan – establishing metrics

Applying practical tools and techniques

Applying industry-standard techniques

Applying quality control tools and techniques

Compiling and documenting lessons learned

Sharing best practices

EFFECTIVE PREPARATION AND START-UP OF PROJECTS – MGMT 0709
2025-12-11 09:00 - 16:00
Effective initiation processes are key to launching effective projects. This course explores specific tips and strategies you can implement during the preparation and start up phases.

In this course, you will learn:

an overview of approaches, methods, and instruments for the initiation.

selecting methods and instruments that fit your project

actively involving others in the analysis and planning of the project

the role of a project facilitator

the effect of different leadership styles and training tools and tricks.

Creating, editing and updating a project handbook.

how projects should be launched, by applying adjusted versions of workshops, facilitation, handbooks,and other guidelines used by others (best practices)

implementing the course ideas into your own organization/project

PMP CERTIFICATION PREPARATION – MGMT 0710
2025-12-12 09:00 - 16:00
Individuals may be certified by the Project Management Institute (an internationally recognized body of project management professionals), a comprehensive program that certifies individuals knowledge in the field of project management. If you would like to find out more information, please visit www.pmi.org.

This course provides an intensive review of the subject matter tested on the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam. You will improve your test-taking skills by completing Sample Exam questions and by discussing the rationale behind both correct and incorrect answers. This course will help you identify personal strengths and weaknesses in each of the PMBOK knowledge areas and develop a personal strategy for passing the exam.

Unfortunately, at this time, Aurora College, Yellowknife Campus does not offer the PMP exam.

Bookkeeper & Financial Officer Training Part Two – Reading and Understanding Financial Statements - Online / Multi-Day
2025-12-15 09:00 - 2025-12-16 16:00
Many bookkeepers spend a lot of time recording financial transactions that are used to create financial statements each month. It is not unusual for bookkeepers, along with business owners and managers, to lack a full understanding of the valuable information included in these statements. This workshop goes through the sections of basic financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and supporting documents to give you a thorough understanding of the information they contain. You will learn how to use common ratios used by lenders and investors to determine the health of a business or organization, as well as ways to thoroughly analyze the information contained in the statements.

Course Objectives

To learn how the double entry accounting system works

To develop an understanding of the principles of accounting used in financial statements

To learn what information is included in a balance sheet

To learn what information is included in an income statement

To learn how to analyze the information in financial statements

To learn how to read a statement of cash flows

DatesDecember 15 – 16, 2025

Time9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

LocationOnline

InstructorHeather Lyon

Fall Term Ends
2025-12-18 08:00 - 17:00

Winter Term Starts
2026-01-05 08:00 - 17:00

Registration Ends
2026-01-16 08:00 - 17:00

Add/Drop Deadline
2026-01-16 08:00 - 17:00
Also the last day for tuition to be paid or for a student to be setup with a payment plan through Finance

Bookkeeper & Financial Officer Training – Part Three - Computerized Accounting - Online / Multi-Day
2026-01-19 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-20 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-27 09:00 - 16:00
This is Part 3 of the Bookkeeper & Financial Officer Training Program. You do not have to have taken part 1 as long as you have some basic knowledge and experience with bookkeeping. This five-day session uses an accounting simulation package to teach you more about the various aspects of bookkeeping while learning how to enter financial transactions using the QuickBooks Desktop software program. Topics include Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Banking & Cash Accounts, and GST.

DatesJanuary 19, 20, 21, 26, & 27, 2026

Time9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

LocationOnline

InstructorHeather Lyon

C.O.R.E De-Escalation - Online
2026-02-05 09:00 - 2026-02-06 16:00
Creating Opportunities with Respect & Empathy

Introduction

Introduction Sequence

Traditional lecture vs. skill based learning

De-escalation Overview

Goals of the course

Part I: Realizing Expectations

Being a professional brings expectations from:

The organization, the public, the media and the courts

Natural reactions in the face of conflict – Fight, Flight or Freeze

Exceptions are those who benefited from: great parents, great mentors, the Anvil of Experience (making mistakes) or effective training Experience Alone is No Guarantee of Success – Ericsson’s 10,000 hr. principle

Intergenerational Communication

For the first time, we are seeing Grandparents working on teams that contain persons their grandchildren’s age. Dr. Mary Donahoe

The Impact of Technology on Interpersonal Communication

Video Technology has created a new reality, the power of social media

Part II: It’s Not Personal!

Rationalizing the Irrational

People under the influence of negative emotions can appear irrational

Their attacks can be very personal and offensive

People Don’t Mean What They Say …

Words and meanings can be (and usually are), completely different

We need to ignore the words and search for the correct meanings

Don’t Take the Bait – 80% of Complaints Stem from Our Reaction

EGO Is the Enemy

Ultimately, that voice in our head that makes us do and say things that we never planned on doing or saying!

Compliance vs. Cooperation – Separating attitude from behavior

The Unanswered Question – the appropriate response to verbal resistance

Part III: The Learned Response

Confidence In Conflict – Confidence comes from skill acquisition and skill development Aristotle – ‘Audiences Are Made, Not Found’ and the 3 Appeals Emotional Intelligence:

Knowing who we are and what our role is (moral compass) Recognizing our emotions (and only perform the positive ones) Recognizing the emotions of others (empathy) Using this awareness to start building a relationship THE 93% RULE – It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it!

Breath! – Control your heart rate and prevent your emotions from ‘high jacking’ you

C.O.R.E. Philosophy

By recognizing and controlling our negative emotions, we can now perform only positive emotions. This mindset allows us to see opportunity in conflict as we endeavor to maintain the high ground by showing respect and diffusing the other with empathy

PROFESSIONAL RESPECT

Performed respect forms the basis of a healthy relationship

PROFESSIONAL EMPATHY

Essential for diffusing a difficult encounter – empathy absorbs tension

Part IV: Communication Essentials

Active Listening Revisited – Finding the meanings behind the words

The Power of Paraphrasing – the ultimate communication tool

Digging Deeper – asking the appropriate questions at the appropriate time

Providing Real Options – The essence of persuasion

Part V: Practical Application

Personal Security Awareness

Imminent Jeopardy

Proxemics

De-escalation Phrases – demonstrate that you are listening – refocus the contact

C.O.R.E. PROCESS

Introduction Sequence

Clarify – ask the $1,000,000 question

Establish Context– tactfully minimize resistance, build upon credibility

Proceed OR Persuade – Verify

Conclude

Case Study – application of C.O.R.E. techniques to actual events

Scenario Development – Practical application

Skill building – Introduction Sequence with De-escalation phrases

Skill building – Clarifying Sequence

Skill building – Putting it all together, no resistance

Skill building – Minimal Resistance – persuasion

Skill building – Medium Resistance – persuasion – Verify

The Ethical Protector Creed and Closing Remarks

Date: February 5 & 6, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Cost: $550.00Instructor: Darcy PennockLocation: Online via Zoom

Course Withdrawal 1/3 of Course
2026-03-03 08:00 - 17:00
50% refund to student & no academic penalty

Intro to Excel - Online
2026-03-19 09:00 - 12:00
This 3-hour session will introduce you to the capabilities of the MS Excel program. Learn the basics of what you can do with the powerful electronic spreadsheet program including:

Purpose of spreadsheets

Moving around the screen

Using the ‘Ribbon’

Entering data

Creating basic formulas

Selecting cells

Working with workbooks

Viewing & printing

Date: March 19, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – NoonCost: $175.00Instructor: Heather Lyon

Formulas & Functions - Online
2026-03-26 09:00 - 12:00
In this 3-hour session, learn how to set up formulas and functions to get the Excel program to do the math for you. Topics include:

Creating and editing formulas

Mathematical operators

Common functions

Conditional functions

Absolute & relative cell references

Protecting your workbook

Date: March 26, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – NoonCost: $175.00Instructor: Heather Lyon

Course Withdrawal 50% of Course
2026-03-31 08:00 - 17:00
No refund, no academic penalty

Formatting the Worksheet - Online
2026-04-02 09:00 - 12:00
Make your Excel workbooks look professional and readable by learning how to properly format all the aspects of your spreadsheet. In this 3-hour session, you will learn how to work with:

Formatting dates & numbers

Cell alignment

Fonts & sizes

Borders

Colours and patterns

Format painter

Themes & Styles

Conditional formatting

Date: April 2, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – NoonCost: $175.00Instructor: Heather Lyon

Good Friday
2026-04-03 08:00 - 17:00

Easter Monday
2026-04-06 08:00 - 17:00

Charts & Tables - Online
2026-04-09 13:00 - 16:00
In the Excel program, you can convert your data from a spreadsheet into a table and/or chart. Learn how you can turn dry financial and statistical information into a vibrant visual display that will have a powerful impact on your audience!

Charts vs. Tables

Creating a chart

Changing chart types

Changing chart layout and location

Using sparklines

Creating a table

Creating a Pivot Table

Date: April 9, 2026Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Cost: $175.00Instructor: Heather Lyon

Excel Extras - Online
2026-04-16 09:00 - 12:00
You know the basics of the Excel program. Now learn about what else you can do to make working with this program even easier and more effective in this 3-hour session. Topics include:

Working with graphics

Inserting a screenshot

Sorting & Filtering

Using hyperlinks

Using comments

Drop-down lists

Grouping & Subtotals

Quick Analysis

Date: April 16, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – NoonCost: $175.00Instructor: Heather Lyon

Winter Term Ends
2026-04-24 08:00 - 17:00

Writing Effective Proposals - Online
2026-05-13 09:00 - 2026-05-14 16:00
This 2-day course is designed to teach students how to write an effective proposal, whether to obtain work for a business or funding for an organization. The steps involved are covered from obtaining the needed information to prepare the proposal right to the layout of the final document. Through a combination of lecture and hands on work, students will work through the development and preparation of an actual proposal.

Date: May 13 & 14, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00. p.m.Cost: $600.00Instructor: Heather Lyon
