Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland announced a new funding program today to help communities prepare residents for employment opportunities associated with upcoming major projects across the Northwest Territories.

The NWT Workforce Ready Program will provide grant funding to Indigenous, community and municipal governments to design and deliver skills development opportunities that respond to local workforce needs and anticipated employment opportunities.

Northwest Territories residents can now find career, skills and business supports all in one place, making it easier to find what they need to get ready for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow.

A new centralized webpage brings together programs, services and supports offered by the Government of the Northwest Territories for:
 

Work to remediate fountains and sinks at Joseph Burr Tyrell School, Fort Smith; Paul W Kaeser High School, Fort Smith; École St. Joseph School, Yellowknife; Kaw Tay Whee School, Dettah and Chief Albert Wright School, Tulita are complete. The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has lifted the Health Orders previously in place for these schools, following confirmation that lead levels in drinking water are within Health Canada guidelines.

Applications are now open to seniors for financial assistance to help with home heating costs during the upcoming winter months.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking members for the Student Financial Assistance Appeal Board (the Appeal Board) to fill four-year terms, beginning November 24, 2026.

The Appeal Board was established to hear second level appeals when applicants do not agree with decisions made by the Student Financial Assistance program.  The Appeal Board is made up of five members appointed by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, one of whom must be a post-secondary student.

Today, amendments under Bill 81: An Act to Amend the Education Act, came into force, supporting a more modern, accountable, and collaborative education system in the Northwest Territories.

The amendments mark an important milestone of Education Act Modernization, which began during 19th Legislative Assembly and has involved extensive engagement with Indigenous governments and education partners.

Applications are now open for individuals who are interested in serving as adjudicators under the Employment Standards Act.

An adjudicator is someone who presides, judges and arbitrates during a formal dispute or competition. They are responsible for resolving disputes between employers and employees. They assess evidence, analyze legal cases, and make fair, unbiased decisions.

Students in Colville Lake will be starting school this year with new modular classroom facilities. Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), in partnership with the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation (BAFN), the Sahtu District Education Council (SDEC) and the Colville Lake District Education Authority, marked the official opening of these facilities with a ribbon-cutting at Colville Lake School. The new facilities will open for the 2026-27 school year, providing improved learning and working environments for students and teachers.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received lead testing results for Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita. Testing has confirmed that one water fixture shows lead levels above the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. As a result, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) has issued a Public Health Order for the school.

The attached release is being distributed on behalf of the Conference of Management Authorities.