Yellowknife — November 29, 2021
Effective January 2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will be amending the Trade Entrance Requirements.
Each designated trade in the Northwest Territories (NWT) has specific educational requirements that prospective apprentices must meet before signing an apprenticeship contract. The Trades Entrance Requirements require one of three options: the completion of specific high school courses; a mark of 70% or higher in the Trades Entrance Exam; or completion of all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests.
The high school courses currently required are higher than the NWT’s graduation requirements and are therefore creating barriers to accessing careers in the trades. While all students are encouraged to complete the high school graduation requirements, amending the trade entrance requirements will reduce barriers to entry into the trades in the NWT and better align the NWT to Alberta’s Trade Entrance Requirements.
Quote(s)
“Obtaining an apprenticeship, trade or occupation certification in the NWT opens doors to exciting, well paying careers, and empowers residents to make meaningful contributions to the economic prosperity of their communities and the NWT. The changes to the trade entrance requirements strike a more appropriate balance between making trades accessible to as many people as possible, while ensuring that potential apprentices have the academic capacity to successfully complete technical training.”
- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Quick facts
- Changes to the Trades Entrance Requirements will come into effect January 2022.
- These changes to the high school courses required will help make the trades a more accessible career option.
- Each designated trade in the NWT has specific educational requirements that prospective apprentices must meet before signing an apprenticeship contract.
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Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories