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.

Minister Cleveland announced the program at the GNWT’s Industry Days tradeshow in Yellowknife, which brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, Indigenous partners, communities and governments to prepare for upcoming major projects and economic opportunities in the territory.

Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to $100,000 per project, giving communities flexibility to identify local workforce needs and develop training that prepares residents to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

The first intake, expected to open in October 2026, will focus on skills development connected to the Mackenzie Valley Highway. Priority areas are expected to include trades, construction, logistics, support services, and environmental and technical occupations.

Funding may support costs such as instructors, training materials, participant supports, travel and certifications. Applicants will also be encouraged to work with employers and contractors to strengthen connections between training and anticipated employment opportunities.

Applications will be assessed using a standardized scoring process to support fairness and consistency across communities of different sizes and capacities. A joint committee with representatives from the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment, and Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains will review applications.

The NWT Workforce Ready Program will launch later this fall. It will help ensure Northerners have the information, supports and training opportunities they need to prepare for future jobs, contracts and economic opportunities.

More information, including eligibility requirements, application guidelines and intake dates, will be available when the program launches.

Quote:

“Major investments are on the horizon in the Northwest Territories, which will to create substantial new opportunities for Northerners. . We have consistently heard that workforce capacity is one of the biggest barriers to our future growth. The NWT Workforce Ready Program responds directly to this need, enabling community-led training that responds to local needs and prepares residents for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow.”

- Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick Facts

• The NWT Workforce Ready Program will provide grant funding to Indigenous, community and municipal governments for locally driven skills development.
• Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to $100,000 per project.
• The first intake is expected to open in October 2026.
• The first intake will focus on skills development connected to the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
• Applications will be assessed using a standardized scoring process, with funding decisions and assessment records documented to support transparency and accountability.
• Future intakes may focus on workforce needs associated with other major projects and economic opportunities in the Northwest Territories.

Related Links:

• Mackenzie Valley Highway Web Page
• Get ready for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow | Government of Northwest Territories
• NWT Workforce Ready Program Web Page

For media requests, please contact:
Agata Gutkowska
Manager, Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
agata_gutkowska@gov.nt.ca