In response to labour market needs and student interest, Aurora College is developing seven new trades and apprenticeship programs that will be delivered at Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith.
Beginning in fall 2025, the new options include Fundamentals of Mechanics and Fundamentals of Pipe Trades, as well as Level 1 of Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship. In the following year, three more apprenticeship programs will be added: Level 2 of Automotive Service Technician, Level 3 of Plumbing, and Level 3 of Heavy Equipment Technician. A Fundamentals of Welding program is also being developed. The College is also assessing potential uses of the Mobile Trades Training Lab, based in Inuvik.
The 20-week Fundamentals programs are a combination of hands-on and academic coursework to prepare individuals for Level 1 apprenticeship exams and to provide students with valuable skills to help them enter the trades. The new Fundamentals programs are in addition to the current Fundamentals of Carpentry and Fundamentals of Electrical. As part of the Fundamentals programs, students will collaborate to build small houses. This will allow the students to apply what they’ve learned in a real world setting.
Aurora College is also upgrading the existing apprenticeship Carpentry Levels 1-4, Plumber Levels 1-2, and Electrician Levels 1-3 programs to equip facilities and students with the latest tools and technology to ensure they receive industry-standard training.
Applications for the new Fundamentals program will open in spring 2025. Watch the Aurora College website or social media for program details and application dates. www.auroracollege.nt.ca or email TAIT.training@auroracollege.nt.ca
Funding for the new programs and equipment is through a $625,018 grant from the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) – Investments in Training Equipment Stream. UTIP is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s response to the skilled trades workforce’s most pressing needs, including addressing barriers to successful entering skilled trades, addressing the housing crisis, and increasing net-zero construction to help fuel economic growth.
Quick facts:
- As of the 2025-2026 academic year, Aurora College will offer four20-week Fundamentals programs: Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanics, and Pipe Trades, designed to introduce students to the trades and prepare them for Level 1 apprenticeship exams.
- As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Aurora College will offer a total of 19 levels of apprenticeship training for seven trades: Automotive Service Technician Levels 1-2 (of 4), Carpentry Levels 1-4 (of 4), Electrician (Construction) Levels 1-3 (of 4), Heavy Equipment Technician Levels 1-3 (of 4), Housing Maintainer Levels 1-3 (of 3), Plumber/Gasfitter B Levels 1-3 (of 4), and Oil Heat Systems Technician Level 1 (of 1). As well, Fundamentals of Welding is expected to be offered beginning in 2026-2027.
- The majority of Aurora College instructors in the School of Trades, Apprenticeship and Industrial Training are long-Northerners, and many are alumni of Aurora College.
- Collectively, Aurora College instructors and staff hold a total of 31 Red Seal Interprovincial and Journeyperson certifications.
- Aurora College has offered Heavy Equipment Operator training continuously in Fort Smith (and in other communities across NWT and Nunavut) since 1968, and apprenticeship training since 1975. The first apprenticeship training programs were Carpentry, Electrician and Heavy Equipment Technician.
- Aurora College apprenticeship programs and trades facilities undergo regular accreditation reviews through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.