A number of requirements for Trades careers have been expanded in the NWT in an effort to help more Northern students pursue these fields in the future.
Under these new updates, individuals with a high school diploma are now eligible to apply to the Trades, which makes it the fourth possible pathway to meet the requirements. This change was recommended by the Apprenticeship, Trade, and Occupation Certification Board.
Along with the new High School Diploma requirement, the four requirements for Trades entrance are:
- Passing the trades entrance exam with a mark of 70% or higher
- Meeting the Secondary School course requirements
- Passing all five of the High School Equivalency Credentials (General Education Diploma or Canadian Adult Education Credential); or
- Holding a Northwest Territories Secondary School Graduation Diploma.
Caitline Cleveland, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, said in a statement that “expanding pathways to the skilled trades is a win for our residents and our economy. Skilled tradespeople are the backbone of strong, sustainable communities, and their work drives a growing economy. By creating more options for Northerners to enter the trades, we are empowering Northerners with new opportunities to secure meaningful jobs and contribute to a prosperous Northwest Territories.”
The NWT is currently working on a broader restructuring of the existing education model, bringing it in line with the new Canadian Adult Education Credential.
