YELLOWKNIFE (March 13, 2015) – More than 160 delegates attended the first Skills 4 Success Symposium, held on March 10-12, 2015, to discuss how skills and postsecondary education strategies can better align with NWT labour market needs and demands.

“When I travel throughout the North, I see incredible potential, talent and desire in NWT schools and communities,” said Minister of Education Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty. “While there has been measurable progress in the past 15 years, we still see major gaps in education and employment. It is too often the case that people do not have the necessary skills to fill available jobs. Skills 4 Success is one way our government will help ensure NWT residents develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes for employment success.”

The Symposium brought together governments, educators and trainers, industry, employers and engaged citizens from across the NWT. The input from the three-day symposium will inform the Skills 4 Success 10-year strategic framework being developed by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to set out new direction for adult and postsecondary education and skills training in the NWT.

The Skills 4 Success Initiative will seek to improve employment success for NWT residents by closing skill gaps for in-demand jobs and more effectively responding to community, employer and industry needs. Skills 4 Success is taking a systematic look at adult and postsecondary education, and skills training programs, supports and pathways.

“Skills 4 Success has connected all the players – post-secondary, secondary, trades training – to the labour market and the needs of employers,” said Mike Bradshaw, Executive Director of the NWT Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a road map for employment and fully supports the Economic Opportunities Strategy. Every jurisdiction in the country should use this as a model and do the same.”

For more information, visit www.skills4success.ca.
For a Backgrounder, click here. 

Media inquiries:
Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca