The territorial government will turn Aurora College into a polytechnic university but its eventual headquarters remain a mystery after Education Minister Caroline Cochrane announced the upgrade in the legislative assembly Oct. 26.
Cochrane's announcement follows a foundational review of Aurora College earlier this year, which urgently recommended the creation of a polytechnic university, headquartered in Yellowknife and not in Fort Smith where Aurora College's main campus is currently located.
The review's findings and Cochrane's enthusiastic support for them caused an uproar in Fort Smith where the college is considered a vital part of the community.
“If and where a ‘main campus’ will be assigned will not be decided at this time,” states a GNWT response, also unveiled Oct. 26.
The GNWT will prioritize a recommendation to review the college's social worker diploma and Bachelor of Education programs to “determine whether the programming is of sufficient quality to continue” or whether they should be eliminated, the reponse states.
Those two programs are slated first for review, according to the government response.
Over the next 15 years, 28,500 to 36,700 job openings are forecast in the NWT, with nearly 78 per cent of those openings requiring college, apprenticeship training or university education, the GNWT’s response states.
“A polytechnic university combines the practical approach of a college education and the depth of study associated with a university program. Polytechnic programs are hands-on and technology-based, providing students with practical training for in-demand jobs.”
Spotlight on social work following child care audit
An Auditor General of Canada audit earlier this week showed the NWT’s child and family services system is floundering. It fails to meet basic requirements and staff vacancies average 25 per cent.
In the legislative assembly last week, MLAs grilled Health Minister Glen Abernethy about his department’s handling of family services in light of the scathing report.
Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson wanted to know if the health department is working with the education department on social worker turnovers and vacancies – and if it plans to consider training up a larger Northern workforce.
“We have a social work program at Aurora College that is being cut, and I haven't heard anything coming from the department of health saying, 'no way, we need social workers here,'” said Simpson.
Simpson asked if the health department is engaging Aurora College to build up the social worker program to train in-territory social workers.
Abernethy said he is a “firm believer” in recruiting and training Northerners.
“I am a very big supporter of Northerners developing the skills to be social workers, which, if you don't have a previous history or previous background, would require a degree in social work,” he said.
The existing social work diplomma program does not award a degree and students must head south for additional training.
The education minister is aware of the demand for social workers, based on the 10-year forecast for the territory, said Abernethy.
“I don't think you will find anybody in this building who doesn't want to support or feel the need for a degree-based social work program here in the Northwest Territories,” he said.
The May foundational review praised the Aurora College social work program but Cochrane won’t decide on the program’s future until the department hires an “expert” associate deputy minister for post-secondary renewal.
That position was the subject of pointed questions between Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green and Cochrane on Oct. 15.
Any movement on the social work program will be incumbent upon the new position.
The external review shared earlier this month by Green, who obtained it through an access to information request, directly contradicts the GNWT’s move to cut funding, she said.
“The review shows the program is worthwhile. It should never have been cut. Instead, it must be redeveloped to improve student success,” said Green.